Julia Messenger - Singer - Her Biography
It hasn’t taken long for the exceptional Australian singer/songwriter and producer Julia Messenger to rapidly build a solid international name for herself. She has been consistently crowned by many in the USA as the ‘Queen of Chill’. Born and raised in Melbourne, Julia has spent years touring and singing all over the globe and perfecting her unique vocal style.
Throughout her career, Julia has caught the attention of many notable artists. Most recently she is working and touring with global superstar DJ and Producer Ferry Corsten (consistently voted as one of the top 5 DJ s in the world and whose last album was #1 on the Dance Charts in the USA). Her song Black Velvet appears on his new album Twice In A Blue Moon.
Her songs and productions have appeared on numerous compilations in Europe and America alongside artists such as: Moby, Boozoo Bajou, Nitin Sawhney, Groove Armada, Ursula Rucker, Goldfrapp, Kruder & Dorfmeister, Zero 7, Rae & Christian, Joss Stone, Bebel Gilberto, Norah Jones, Basement Jaxx, Bebel Gilberto and Julee Cruise to name just a few.
Julia is accustomed to singing all over the world. Among others, she has performed for the Handover Ceremony in Hong Kong, supported “Afro Celt Sound System” at the Galway Music Fesitval, achieved 5 star reviews two years running at the Edinburgh Festival, toured extensively throughout Germany including the World Expo in Hannover and for more than one Grand Prix including private parties at the famous ‘BMW Pavillion’ in Munich. In 2003 she was invited to sing at speak at the New York Global Film and Music Summit. Some other venues and festivals include: Summerjam (Germany), Lovefield, Cologne Exhibition Centre (KoelnMesse), Filmhaus, Gebaude 9 (Cologne), SlamDance, S.O.M.A., Zollverein, Kumberland (Hanover), SXSW (USA), Popkomm (Germany), The Glamour Bar (Shanghai), Woodford (Australia) among others.
Julia’s voice has been likened to such artists as: Sade, Dido, Norah Jones, Ursula Rucker, Lisa Gerrard, Annie Lennox, Sinead O’Connor and Donna Summer - although given the diversity of these artists, her style is her own. Her vocals have been called “sultry, sexy, superb, stunning, sweet, scorching, intense, dizzying, cream, aromatic, bewitching, exotic, exceptional, luxurious”.. and the list goes on!
She has regularly collaborated with a number of major artists - Klaus Schulze of 'Tangerine Dream' and 'Alphaville'; Massive Attack sound engineer/mixer Jeremy Allom; Henning Schmitz (Kraftwerk); Waldeck (Dope Noir, Vienna); Hans Nieswandt (Whirlpool Productions, Warner, Germany); Soul G and Tony Match (Paris); Frank Elting (previously MRI – Berlin); PFL (Hannover), Ian Melrose (Clannad ), MOD X (Paris), Moodfood (Grammy winner- USA) and Marcus Worgull. She is also currently collaborating with grammy nominee Scott Rockenfield (who is also the drummer with renowned US band Queensrÿche) writing film music.
New York Times mentioned Julia's song Look Up Look Down as one of the top 10 on the playlist for U.S. restaurants.
De:bug claimed Myamisumi, Julia's first solo 12" vinyl, as "the best vocal album ever to come out of the Cologne electronic scene”.
Julia’s song So Complicated was a finalist in the prestigious ISC - International Songwriting Contest.
She is currently writing her 3rd solo album with MODx in Paris - a cool and catchy piece of work.
As well as a passion for working and writing with producers all over the globe, production and writing itself is one Julia's fortes. When she is in Australia she spends most of the time in her studio either working as a singer in her own right, or writing for others. She is a graduate of the Melbourne Conservatorium with a Bachelor of Music where she majored in singing and graduated with the highest marks for her year.
Julia is consistent with her work and skills and is unwavering in her passion to bring quality music to her fans. She has been widely reviewed as a ‘world class-performer’.
Julia Messenger Singer - Reviews, Recordings, Compilations
SOME PRESS GRABS
“Julia Messenger is widely considered to be one of the most inspiring
musicians to ever come out of the studios of Australia!”
Elusive disc, 2004
“The new Dido of Chillout has been crowned”
Music Report, USA
“Whoever believed that there was nothing more to say after Kruder &
Dorfmeisters K & D Sessions is sorely mistaken…. On three appearances the
Australian singer and producer Julia Messenger leads the PFL tracks with
her dark and seductive voice, dipping the songs in a gentle breezy Soul,
with a depth and bass that goes through your body. The ideal classic
Popsong, is that which PFL and Julia Messenger purposefully move against…”
Review by Daniel Straub, Laut.Stark CD reviews..
“…through the full spectrum, from fragile candied sweetness to a scorching
soul-diva holler – echos of Mouth Music, Annie Lennox, Horse, Sinead
O’Connor…”
The Scotsman, Edinburgh, Scotland
"..Everyone has heard a great.. song while dining and asked, ''What is
that?'' At last, these restaurants' current Top 5 playlists provide some
answers. .
Rod Stewart, ''Manhattan''
Nat King Cole, ''Walkin' My Baby Back Home''
Queen Latifah, ''Baby Get Lost''
Norman Brown, ''What's Going On''
Julia Messenger, ''Look Up Look Down"
Paul L. Underwood, The Remix; Ear Candy: New York Times
“ … an Australian named Julia sings into your heart and mine, truthfully so lovingly it rivals that of singer Nicolette.”
Groove Magazine, Germany
“Julia Messenger trip-hops into a melancholic daydream..”
MacKenzie Wilson, All Music Guide
“…The most present of this talent for sure is vocalist Julia Messenger who has laid her seductive voice on three of PFL's smoothest songs …”
NITEBEAT Magazine, Germany
“…breathy chill-compilation veteran Julia Messenger …”
Rod Smith, City Pages Minneapolis, 2005
“Searing stop you- in- your tracks vocals.. and bags of charismatic energy.. as inspirational as it is awesome.”
AIAN.. Australian independent music
“… exceptional Australian singer and producer ...”
WOM Magazine
“… the best vocal record ever to emerge from the Cologne electronic scene.”
De:bug
CURRENT DISCOGRAPHY
SOLO PROJECTS:
Title: And We Danced
Artist: Julia Messenger
Label: Skip Sister Records
USA/World/Europe
Release Year: 2009
Title: Productions & Collaborations
Artist: Julia Messenger
Label: Threespace
USA/World/Europe
Release Year: 2007
Title: Julia Messenger
Label: Water Music/Universal
Distribution: Universal Music USA
Artist: Julia Messenger
Release Date: 2003
Title: Julia Messenger - Myamisumi - The Remixes
Label: Frankfurt Vinyl/Inandout Records/GUM Recordings/ Salz-Klystron Soundworks
Artist: Julia Messenger
Release Date: 2000
Germany/Europe/World
FEATURING PROJECTS
Title: Ballet III
Label: Rainhorse
Artist: Klaus Schulze
Release Year: 2000 Europe and USA
Title: KS – Essential Extracts (Adds & Edits)
Label: Rainhorse
Artist: Klaus Schulze
Release Year: 2000
Europe/USA
Title: Twice In A Blue Moon
Label: Flashover
Artist: Ferry Corsten
Release Date: 2009
Europe
Title: 5 CD Box Set: Contemporary Works II
Label: Rainhorse
Artist: Klaus Schulze
Release Year: 2002
Europe and USA
Title: Ole EP featuring
Label: Spectrum Works
Artist: Marcus Worgull feat. Julia Messenger
Release Date: 2001
Europe and Japan
Title: The Crime of Suspense featuring
Label: Rainhorse
Artist: Klaus Schulze
Release Year: 2000
Title: Unique Club Culture
Label: Unique Records
Artist: Markus Worgull feat. Julia Messenger
Release Year: 2001
Europe/Japan
Title: Blue Dubsessions 1
Label: Elektrolux
PFL with Julia Messenger
Europe
Release Date: 2003
Title: Salz - The Remixes
Artist: Salz
Label: Salzmusic
Salz feat. Julia Messenger - Lover come back (Salz009 Ltd.)
Format: One sided 12"
Germany
Release Year: 2001
Title: Lifechange
Label: WEA/Warner Music Germany
Artist: Whirlpool Productions
Release date: 2000
Europe/Japan
Title: Kyrios
Artist: Thomas Kagermann feat. Julia Messenger
Label: Inakustik
Europe and USA
Release Year: 2001
Title: ICE
Artists: MOODFOOD with JADOO & JULIA MESSENGER
Label: Soulfood
Release Year: 2006
Title: Salz
Artist: Salz
Label: Salzmusic
Release Year: 2001
Featuring Myamisumi by Julia Messenger
COMPILATIONS:
Title: Pure Chill Out – the definitive down-tempo collection
Label: Water Music/Universal UTV Records (Universal Music Enterprises)
Release Year: 2002
USA/World/Europe
Title: Ambient Lounge Vol 3.
Label: Globe
Release date: 25/2/2002
Europe
Title: The Future is my Melody Vol 1.
Label: Elektrolux
Release Year: 1/1/ 2003
Europe/Japan/USA
Title: The Future is my Melody Vol. 2
Label: Elektrolux
Release Year: 2004
Europe/Japan/USA
Title: Subzero: The Ultimate Chillout Collection
Label: Universal USA/ Water Music
Release Date: 2002
USA/World
Title: Chilled Sirens
Label: Water Music/Universal
Release Date: 2002
USA
Title: Music Makes Us Feel Sexy – Remixes
Label: Subfrequency 001
Germany/Europe
Title: Melbourne – The Sex, The City, The Music, The world
Label: Petrol Records/Sony
Release Year: 2004
Title: Hypersex.code1
Label: Disco Inc.
Artist: Compilation Europe
Release Year: 2005
Title: MoonrayLounge Vol. 4
Label: Moonray Records/membrane records
Release Date: 2002
Europe
Title: Moonray Lounge Vol. 2
Label: Moonray Records
Release Year: 2001
Europe
Title: Coffeeshop Vol 4.
Label: Edel Records
Release Year: 2001
Europe
Title: Ruby Fruit Jungle
Label: Snatch Records
Artist: Ruby Fruit Jungle
Release Year: 1997
Australia and Europe
Title: 1001 Days
Artist: Ruby Fruit Jungle
Label: Snatch Records
Release Year: 1999
Europe and Australia
Title: FLOWMOTION - Visual Pleasure Vol.3 DVD
Label: Elektrolux
Title: Exclusive Lounge Bars Vol 1 - Anaconda Lounge
Label:Electric Lounge
Release Year: 2002
Germany/Europe
Title: Excursions: A Journey Into Chillout
Label: Water Music
Release Date: 2002
USA
Title: YOGAFIT Music for Active Yoga -Vol 4
Label: Water Music Records
USA/World/Europe
Title: Sunday Brunch Vol. 1
Label: Water Music Records
Release Year: 2003
Japan/Asia/USA/World/Europe
Title: Dinner at Eight
Label: Water Music Records/ Varese Records
Release Date: April 1, 2003
USA/World/Europe
Title: Deja Tunes 1 – The finest in Sunny Beats
Label: Moonray Records
Release Year: 2002
Europe
Title: Global Destinations: Passport To The World.
Label :Water Music Records/ Varese Records/ Image Entertainment
Release Date: 10/28/2003
Title: Departure lounge: World Grooves
Label: Petrol Records
Release Date: 2006
Title: Spectrum Works - Evolution In Standard
Label: Nebula/ Inpartmaint Inc.
Europe/ Japan
Title: Breakfast Club Paris
Label: Water Music Records
Release Year: 2005
USA/World
Title: Chilled Grooves
Label: Water Music Records
Release Year: 06/04/2002
USA/Japan
Title: Logbook 94-00
Artist: Solarmoon Sound System
Label: Rainhorse
Release Year:2000
Europe/USA
Title: Get Ready
Label: Ki Communication/Magoo Records
Release Date: 2004
France and USA/ Japan
Title: Various - Music Makes You Feel Sexy Vol. 2
Label: Subfrequency
Release year: 2001
Country: Germany
Title: Various Artists
Label: Water Music Records
Release Year: 2006
Title: Hotel Chill
Label: Universal/Water Music Records
Release Date: Feb 28, 2006
Europe/USA
Title: House on the Beach: Vocal Edition
Label: Time Tools Recording
Release Date: 2010
Europe