
the extended story
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”.
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 last three
albums,
Girl In The Moon (1998),
temperamental angel (2001) and
Woman (2002)
received outstanding
reviews and set her course as one of most intriguing and
dynamic artists to
watch
out for in the music business. Her latest album,
extraOrdinary life
(2006), is 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).
Moon 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."
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.’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 latest
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.
As co-founder and President of
Songsalive!, the largest international
non-profit organization supporting and promoting songwriters (www.songsalive.org),
gilli has established over 20 chapters around the world hosting workshops, showcases and other programs for songwriters. Plus, gilli moon produced the memorable and successful Songsalive!
Expo 2002 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.
She is also the author of the motivational
artist hand book
"I
AM A Professional Artist - the
Key to Survival and Success in the World of the Arts" and is currently writing her sophomore book release "Just Get Out There" due mid 2007.
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 and
Holly Light.
Currently, gilli moon is putting the finishing touches on her
produced 11 song album for newcomer
Paulina Logan.
Gilli
has also created a compilation series and tour called
Females On Fire
which
celebrates over 65
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.
On August 25, 2007, Gilli will launch,
(with her partners at Gaia Rocks) the first annual
Females On
Fire - The Los Angeles Women's Music Festival, at
Woodley Park, Encino CA.
Celebrating women in music and the men and women who love them,
the festival will feature more than 100 artists and performers
from around the world, including female headline acts and an
eclectic array of female singer/songwriters and female-fronted
bands representing all styles and genres of music. Also included
will be poets and spoken word artists, comedians, an art show
and auction, and indie films, as well as vendor and exhibitor
booths, children's activities, workshops, vegan and organic food
vendors, healing arts, pet adoptions and more. Proceeds of this
year’s festival will benefit animal rescue organizations.
Gilli is also the director for the Pasadena rock music camp for kids called
DayJams; with a staff of
18.
A division of NATIONAL MUSIC WORKSHOP (NATIONAL GUITAR
WORKSHOP), DayJams provides safe, encouraging, friendly, and fun
environments for nurturing creativity and music appreciation for
youths 9 to 15 years old. Gilli's staff of highly educated and
music biz experienced teachers guide students through a
cooperative, team-oriented process of writing, rehearsing and
performing in a musical and artistic atmosphere, while assisting
each student in gaining a sense of achievement, self-confidence
and self-esteem, enhance performance skills and build character.
gilli
has effectively brought together thousands of artists and music
lovers together under various umbrellas, whether it be music
conferences, song retreats and workshops, cd compilations,
writings, music productions, or with her dynamic and thought
provoking personal live performances, which above all else, is
gilli's truest passion: being the entertainer.
“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.”
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