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the story so far
Born in Milano Italy, and raised in
Australia, gilli moon was brought up in a pioneering lifestyle on
an isolated mountain property on the edge of wilderness. There she taught
herself music and art under candle light, playing classical piano from the
age of four and hungry for music from around the world: mostly soul, funk,
disco, indigenous Aboriginal didgeridoo rhythms, world beats and local
Australiana folk. She also played lead roles in musical theatre throughout
her schooling. Her artistry is inspired by the isolating “Aussie bush"
living a self-sufficient, alternative and pioneering life in a home built
by her parents from the trees and stone on their land, solar power and
natural resources.
By 18, she left for Rome, Italy to seek her family roots (father’s side)
and experience the world. The mid 1990s brought gilli back to Sydney where
she completed two Bachelor of Education degrees in Visual Arts and
Business, and then she rebounded overseas to New York City which attracted
her to the bright lights of Broadway. New York was a huge inspiration for
gilli as she began to truly capture the colors and energies of emotion in
her own music, jump into contemporary commercial sounds and even begin to
write her first musical. Constantly adventurous, she then returned to
Rome, Italy again and had the fortuitous opportunity to work in Opera with
Placido Domingo and Maestro Zubin Mehta.
Recently interviewed by Buzz Communications, gilli expressed, “My music
is quite eclectic. It used to be a curse for me, as record companies
couldn’t pigeon-hole me; I'm influenced by many artists and styles of
music. I started playing classical piano at 4, and then grew up with my
parents love for soul, R&B and ‘70s grooves. By 16 I was in musical
theatre playing Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz plus others, and then the ‘90s
came and dance, pop, world music and the rest sucked me in. I love it all.
Now, my eclectic style has become my advantage; I love crossing the
boundaries and testing new waters by juxtaposing sounds and sonic
textures. Maybe I was ahead of my time when I was shopping to those
labels? I should have told them if I had had the gumption...!”
In ’97 gilli moved from Sydney to Los Angeles to expand her horizons, and
soon established herself as a prominent independent music artist. "I
felt like there was no where for me to go in Australia. I kind of felt
that there was an inner music industry circle and I was left standing on
the outside. So I left. But I have missed Australia every day."
In her first year in L.A, picked from an R&B/Hip Hop showcase, gilli made
a guest artist appearance on Nubar-Brooks’ album, Lust (1998 / Drama!
Music), singing "You Belong To Me", a funky trip hop/electronica hit that
landed in several TV and Film projects, landed No.1 on Belgium’s Planete
Indie radio station and nominated for Album of the Year. In that same year
she headlined the Australian-American Chamber of Commerce’s Ball (the
following year was Olivia Newton John). That same year, gilli was
recognized as one of the "Top 100 Unsigned Artists of Southern California"
by L.A's Music Connection Magazine.
Soon after, her first limited edition album Girl In The Moon
(1998) established her as a promising girl to watch, making a significant
dent in the Hollywood and Internet music machines, accumulating a fan base
as far as Japan, Russia, Turkey and The Netherlands. She was featured on
MP3.com as 'Woman of the Week’ as well as in the hottest Internet Radio
Station on the Net, MP3's ‘Battle of the Babes’. The internet has played a
powerful role in her promotion.
In 1999 she was featured on MTV's "The Cut" as newly discovered talent and
simultaneously hit the Global Internet Music Charts through FirewallUk.com.
This brought about an opportunity to be guest artist on the album, Perfect
Wordz (2000 /tribe Records) with the band Jessica Christ. Her time with
Jessica Christ encouraged her to truly experiment with her stage persona,
using costumes, theatrics and unique song arrangements to create a
spectacular live performance, pushing the envelope on issues such as
gender, relationships and Hollywood politics.
Rather than waiting for a Major to sign her, gilli started her own record
label in 2000, called Warrior Girl Music. Under her company, gilli moon
has produced 10 albums for several artists including all of her own, and
is home to other artists & songwriters from as far away as France and
Finland who are as unique, rebellious and undefined as gilli is. A
self-produced record and career are startling accomplishments in the
continued age of corporate rock, and moon isn’t shy about discussing her
start in the business and evolvement into an indie artist of note.
“I began by looking for someone else,
"them, they, the others" to come along and make it happen for me. Most
young artists live in this illusion. I thought "ok, I have talent, they
will come." The reality is, we can't wait around for others to make it
happen for us. I began doing demos with producers but after spending
thousands at a time I was still never satisfied with the end result. I
also was signed to a label for a few years. Still... I became frustrated
because I could not follow my true creative path and what my soul was
telling me. It was only when I formed Warrior Girl Music and began
producing my music (some tracks with co-producers I trusted but most just
me) that I came into my own. I began to trust my own musical instincts and
it has proven to be the right path for me.”
gilli moon developed Warrior Girl Music as
a creative arts company that is dedicated to unique artistic creations
with a diverse blend of music, art and language - focusing on music and
artistic development, a music production house, a record label, a music
publishing and supervision arm and a Promotions division. Her mission is
to create, produce and promote unique artistic creations that are guided
by the artist's vision and under the artist's direction; creations that
transcend race, age or gender and that embrace passion, love for music and
life, personal excellence and global consciousness.
She cooked up her own online music ploy and released the
temperamental angel CD (2001), her 2nd solo album. This rebellious
album, of which she wrote all the songs and co-produced with Evan Beigel (Atonaltheory,
Badi Assad), sends powerful messages about self empowerment, embracing the
full range of human passions and emotions that our personalities express,
through a uniquely alternative, edgy sound mixed with gilli's soulful
voice. temperamental angel is an expression of personality, of raw and
sensitive emotions, and how we relate to the people in our lives through
the various love-hate disguises of our personas. Keeping with her vision,
much of the production was spontaneous following a very organic approach,
with all recording using live instruments. She purposefully recorded it
and mixed it to sound like a low-fi garage production, with the mastering
infidelity and musicianship matching any major artist. The Star
Newspapers, Chicago put her album at no. 9, in their top 25 records of the
year.
TheGlobalMusic.com writes, “by her creation, gilli has allowed the
listeners of her music to paint worlds of imagery with their minds. …The
lyrics are unlike any that I've heard from a pop artist, and tell me that
gilli moon is more about art and presenting her passions than creating die
cut pop songs.”
After extensive touring across the United States and Australia, gilli moon
released her third album Woman (2003), encompassing the
emotions, passions and experiences of a young woman growing up, dealing
with relationships and becoming self-empowered as an individual. "The
songwriting is still intimate and drawing from personal anecdotes about my
own life living around the world," gilli says. "The last record
(temperamental angel) was dealing with a lot of angst, some anger and
frustrations, a bit like a rebellious teenager, whereas Woman is like a
coming-of-age piece, showing strength and convictions about life and
love."
The Woman album touches topics including female sensuality
and sexuality, relationships between the sexes, self-empowerment, openness
and honesty, and how the media can often exploit the body and sex in a
negative way. Life is about love of others and love of self, and gilli
sends these messages through her music, lyrics and album art. She is very
much into making "concept albums". While Woman is organic in
approach, keeping the raw rock band style in recording, it also includes
her playing the well-oiled piano and some electronic drum 'n bass and
loops. More self-penned pop songs than ever, Woman is alternative,
yet more radio friendly. With singles, “Woman” (and a music video,)
“Organic,” a new Ice Jupiter Groove remix of the ’01 hit “Naked,” the
album also features gilli’s delicious and sultry version of the INXS track
“Need You Tonight.” As producer, gilli has teamed up with engineers Matt
Thorne (The Eels, Trapt, Kate Ceberano) and Ken Moore. Plus guest artists
include vocalists Cindy Alter (Clout) and Brazilian superstar Badi Assad,
Gordie Germaine on guitar, Jeffrey Dean on bass, Evan J. Beigel on
keyboards, Ric Craig on electronic drums and guest Brian Burwell on drums.
She even rallied her local theatre company in Australia, Wollombi Valley
Artist, to participate in a music video for the album, on their Richard
III (Mad Max style) set.
“I'd hope that listeners connect in their own personal way, whether
that is a mood created by the music, or perhaps assimilate with the
lyrics. My songs are autobiographical, but my aim is to move the listener
in a way that makes them think, change, grow, and see their own world in a
new perspective. I don't share my music for personal glory. I get my own
buzz playing it and writing it. What I love is the reaction from the
audience showing me they assimilate and feel something. Too many people's
senses are dull these days. I hope I can awaken them”.
gilli moon’s first three albums, Girl In The Moon (1998),
temperamental angel (2001) and Woman (2003) received
outstanding reviews and set her course as one of most intriguing and
dynamic artists to watch out for in the music business. Then in 2006,
gilli released extraOrdinary life, an adventurous journey of
autobiographical songs and stories, and intimate music conversations about
gilli moon’s inner truths, emotions and passions, anecdotes about falling
in love, and out of it, about living in Hollywood, and about freedom,
humour, simplicity and a life long journey of discovery. extraOrdinary
life is a groove oriented self-produced album, mixing sensuous
basslines, emotional piano and gilli moon’s lilting melodic voice, with
self-penned songs. With an emphasis on organic, raw musical textures,
gilli’s trademark “edge” is present, combining a cool rebelliousness of
eclectic guitars, techno loops, live drums and world-beat percussion.
extraOrdinary life celebrates 13 brand new self-penned songs, a spoken
word track and an Italian song. An ENHANCED CD, it features a 10 min
“making of” video, and a 20 photo slide show embracing her album,
photography which has come to visual life by Hollywood’s celebrity
photographer Jim Steinfeldt (Tina Turner, Madonna, Miles Davis, Willie
Nelson).
"extraOrdinary life is about a global
harmony that starts with the tiniest one-on-one interactions. If we are
able to have a harmonious relationship with another person then we're able
to understand that dynamic on a global scale", gilli moon says.
"This album certainly has more emphasis on social perspectives and world
harmony. If we can heal ourselves, and be more connected with our inner
self and our community, then the world pretty much takes care of itself."
Seeing gilli moon perform live, is where we truly see the essence of this
eclectic, passionate poly-media artist.
She describes her live show as an
"emotional ride". "It's full of energy," Moon explained. "It's a
combination of full-on rock: energy, action, and rather heavy. Then it
sort-of cuts to a complete silence: quiet ballads where I'm on the piano.
Then it peaks again. It's very emotional going with the 'Temperamental'
theme."
Sometimes gilli incorporates her artwork in
her live shows. She calls this “SensuArt”. SensuArt is a creative process
bringing as many senses together in the one moment to create a spontaneous
happening that takes the performance to a higher level beyond just one
sense. “For example, on stage I often paint a large clear Plexiglas canvas
while singing and moving with my band. This allows the audience to
interact visually rather than just sonically. So many band singers just
stand there front of stage and just sing. It's boring as hell; others
dance or whatever. I do that too. But paint, the colors of paint, and the
movement of the brush in my hands creates a new dimension to the
performance. I first saw Picasso paint on glass on TV (a show from the
‘60s) and it gave me this idea. He painted like he was painting on the TV
screen itself, on me. It was invigorating to be the subject of his art.
"I don't believe there's another act, anything else I do in life when
all my senses are revving so simultaneously out of control (well perhaps
one other act...) the feel of the paint, the ivory keys, the canvas
texture, the heat off the amps and the lights, the pounding stage beneath
my feet, what I see coming through me from deep inside me to surround me,
the scent of the oils, the taste in the air, the power of my music and the
greater power of the inner voices demanding me - enabling my soul's
expression - I can't help it - it's when I'm most alive through these
little deaths."
gilli moon’s songwriting has proved strong for her career, being an
international award winner. Some of her award credits include Song of the
Year and others by the Benelux International Song & Culture Festival (The
Netherlands); Best Popular Song by the Johnny Dennis Light Music Awards
(Australian Guild of Screen Composers), Best Solo Artist (twice) at L.A’s
Rock City Music Awards (winning over Aly McBeal's Vonda Shephard);
nominated Best Female Singer/Songwriter by the Los Angeles Music Awards;
and, honored as “Outstanding Contribution as an Artist” by Hollywood’s
Artist For A Better World organization. Her label, Warrior Girl Music, was
awarded “Indie Label of the Year 2003” by Philadelphia’s Independent Music
Awards. Most recently her album, extraOrdinary life, was finalist in the
United States Independent Music Awards (judges included Melissa Ethridge,
Norah Jones and Jonatha Brooke to name a few.)
Her songs have been featured in independent
films and network U.S television programs worldwide, including
Nickelodeon's "South Of Nowhere", the WB’s “Charmed”, the Disney Film "Rip
Girls,” CBS' "That's Life" as well as films such as "I Just Draw,"
"Whisky, Riddles and Dandelion Wine," and “The Healer’s Sun.” Her songs
have also graced theater productions and have been recorded by other
artists including Dutch artist, Erikah Karst (Mercury/Universal), produced
by David Kershenbaum (Tracy Chapman’s "Fast Car"). Other artists who have
covered Gilli's songs are artists Nocy, Paulina Logan and Holly Light.
Read her discography here
gilli moon is often invited to talk at music conferences across continents
about her DIY artist story, encompassing topics such as production,
promotion, marketing, touring, image development and surviving the
industry. She also taps into professional artist development, staying
motivated, defining success on one's own terms, how to develop the right
relationships and overcoming obstacles.
In the last two years, gilli has been
rising up the ranks as one of Los Angeles sought after female producers,
having produced albums for Rhonda Stisi, Dina Gathe, Holly Light and David
Babich and newcomer Paulina Logan. She has a talent for taking a song from
an idea to a fully produced, radio-ready song, and loves to produce full
concept albums, not only for herself but for any artist of any music
genre.
With her own creative and recording
company, Warrior Girl Music, gilli has achieved a phenomenal amount of
success for not just herself, but for many artists around her. She has
produced artists' albums, created tours and rock concerts. developed
compilations, and a Festival, which is simply the natural progression for
the international community she has created. On August 25, 2007, Gilli
launched and produced, (with her partners at Gaia Rocks) the first annual
Females On Fire - The Los Angeles Women's Music Festival, at Woodley Park,
Encino CA, which attracted over 3000 people.. Celebrating women in music
and the men and women who love them, the festival featured more than 100
artists (including headliner Sophie B Hawkins) and performers from around
the world, including an eclectic array of female singer/songwriters and
female-fronted bands representing all styles and genres of music. Proceeds
of the festival benefited animal rescue organizations.
Gilli has also created a compilation series
and tour called Females On Fire which celebrates over 100 talented female
artists from around the world. The CDs deliver songs in a tapestry of
different genres & styles of music dedicated to messages empowering
femininity, human equality, love, communication and vitality. In
2009 she released the Art of Men cd, a compilation dedicated to male
artists.
Also in 2009, Gilli released an album called SKILLZ. A
powerful and positive hip-hop CD for kidz. gilli moon has combined with
J.Walker, the spoken word Rhymecologist®, to create one of the most
important albums in recent memory. The mission of the SKILLZ CD is to use
the power of hip-hop lyrics to help young people express, discover and
create themselves in positive wayz. Through working in the streets, the
dynamic hip-pop duo quickly realized the necessity and importance of their
work, and created the album SKILLZ filled with positive messages and
motivating music. SKILLZ is not only musically and lyrically on par with
the mainstream, it is also a compilation of messages which can make a real
difference.”
Gilli has become a beacon for artists around the world, inspired and
motivated by Gilli's story, and her creativity. She performs and tours
around the world and is constantly creating projects for her own music and
arts passions, as well as for others. She has opened the doors at her
company, Warrior Girl Music, for consulting and coaching emerging and
professional artists.
Inspired to make a difference in the music
industry for songwriters, Gilli had co-founded Songsalive!, in 1997, which
is now the largest internationally based non-profit songwriters
organization. For Songsalive!, Gilli, as President, has established over
25 chapters around the world, with 35 volunteer staff, hosting monthly
workshops, showcases and other programs for songwriters. Plus, gilli moon
produced the memorable and successful Songsalive! Expo at UCLA, Santa
Monica, CA, hosting 1000 attendees from all fields of the music industry,
bringing the art and business of songwriting together in a unique power
packed weekend.
gilli moon is often invited to talk at music conferences across continents
about her DIY artist story, encompassing topics such as production,
promotion, marketing, touring, image development and surviving the
industry. She also taps into professional artist development, staying
motivated, defining success on one's own terms, how to develop the right
relationships and overcoming obstacles. gilli moon is often invited to
talk at music conferences across continents about her DIY artist story,
encompassing topics such as production, promotion, marketing, touring,
image development and surviving the industry. She also taps into
professional artist development, staying motivated, defining success on
one's own terms, how to develop the right relationships and overcoming
obstacles. She has spoken at Berklee School of Music Boston, Independent
Music Conference Philadelphia and L.A, SXSW Texas, South Park Music
Festival CO, Durango Songwriters Expo CA, Taxi Road Rally LA, Musicians
Institute, and many more.
With her Songsalive! world nation, as well as her record label Warrior
Girl Music, Gilli has effectively brought together thousands of artists
and songwriters together under various umbrellas, whether it be music
conferences, song retreats and workshops, or with her own dynamic and
thought provoking rock music concerts, as a live entertainer herself: her
ultimate passion.
Gilli has written a motivational book for
artists of all genres called "I AM A Professional Artist - the Key to
Survival and Success in the World of the Arts" based on her experiences in
the music and general arts businesses as an artist and entrepreneur, and
is currently writing her sophomore book release "Just Get Out There" due
in 2010.
gilli is undeniably in touch with her muse,
and we hope you fall in love with her music.
“My message is simple: be passionate
about what you do. I believe passion is the key ingredient to life. I also
send messages about relating with each other. Men and women often have
communication issues where they don't understand each other. Relationships
are so important and how we communicate to each other is integral to
understanding and respecting each other for who we are. I, like all of us,
have had my fair share of relationship problems and I search for love,
like all of us. By being open and honest, with direct communication and
understanding, can we truly create deep and meaningful relationships. By
acknowledging we have various guises and personalities (masks we wear),
knowing that all of them are "who we are", then we can be accepted among
others.”
Now, in 2010, gilli is releasing her 6th album, THE STILLNESS. Read more
on her main bio page.
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