Gabrielle Aplin
{{Short description|British singer-songwriter}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2023}}
{{Use British English|date=February 2013}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = Gabrielle Aplin
| image = Gabrielle Aplin Bestival Festival 2015.jpg
| caption = Aplin at Bestival Festival, Isle of Wight in 2015
| birth_name = Gabrielle Ann Aplin
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1992|10|10|df=y}}
| birth_place = Chippenham, Wiltshire, England
| origin = Sutton Benger, Wiltshire
| genre = Folk, indie folk, indie rock, synthpop, pop
| occupations = Singer-songwriter
| label = Never Fade, Parlophone, BA1 Records, Warner Bros
| instruments = Vocals, guitar, piano
| years_active = 2008–present
| website = {{Official URL}}
}}
Gabrielle Ann Aplin (born 10 October 1992){{cite tweet|user=GabrielleAplin|number=1579783343469912066|title=Thank you for all the birthday wishes my friends! Can you believe I'm 30 lol wtf....|date=11 October 2022}} is an English singer-songwriter. After amassing a following for her acoustic music covers on YouTube, Aplin signed a recording deal with Parlophone in February 2012. She rose to prominence the following November when she was selected to record the soundtrack for a John Lewis television commercial with a cover of Frankie Goes to Hollywood's "The Power of Love", which went on to top the UK Singles Chart.
Her debut album, English Rain, was released in May 2013 to positive reviews. It debuted at number two on the UK Album Chart and led to more singles: "Please Don't Say You Love Me", "Panic Cord", "Home" and "Salvation". English Rain has since been certified Gold in the UK, selling over 100,000 copies. Aplin's second album, Light Up the Dark, was released in September 2015, followed by the release of her third album, Dear Happy, in January 2020. She has also released multiple extended plays throughout her career.
Her fourth album, Phosphorescent, was released in January 2023.
Early life
Aplin grew up in Chippenham in Wiltshire. She is the eldest of three children. Aplin's parents bought her her first guitar when she was 11 years old.{{cite news|url=https://www.standard.co.uk/lifestyle/london-life/gabrielle-aplin-the-jingle-belle-who-rocks-the-john-lewis-christmas-ad-8312233.html|title=Gabrielle Aplin: the jingle belle who rocks the John Lewis Christmas ad|last1=Thomas-Corr|first1=Johanna|date=13 November 2012|work=London Evening Standard|access-date=17 November 2012|location=London}} She is a fan of the singer-songwriters Bob Dylan and Leonard Cohen, as well as the rock band The National. Aplin went on to study music at Bath College,{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-wiltshire-13127782 |title=Wiltshire singer's big radio opportunity |work=BBC News |date=19 April 2011}} participating in the college's in-house label, BA1 Records.{{cite web|url=http://www.citybathcoll.ac.uk/news-and-events/news-archive/media-music-and-performing-arts/gabrielle-aplin-to-support-gotye-on-european-tour.html |title=Gabrielle Aplin to support Gotye on European tour |publisher=City of Bath College |year=2012 |access-date=15 November 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131110150848/http://www.citybathcoll.ac.uk/news-and-events/news-archive/media-music-and-performing-arts/gabrielle-aplin-to-support-gotye-on-european-tour.html |archive-date=10 November 2013 }}
Music career
=Career beginnings (2011–2012)=
Aplin's first release was the five-track Acoustic EP, which she self-released under her own label, Never Fade Records, on 13 September 2010. Her second release, another extended play titled Never Fade, was released on 9 May 2011. In this EP, she expanded her sound, showcasing a more folk rock sound and playing all the instruments herself.{{cite news|url=https://www.sputnikmusic.com/review/47132/Gabrielle-Aplin-Never-Fade/|title=Gabrielle Aplin: Never Fade|date=21 December 2011|work=Bath Chronicle|access-date=13 October 2015}} In April 2011, Aplin was invited to perform for BBC Introducing at Maida Vale Studios, where she played three tracks from Never Fade and a cover of the Coldplay song "Fix You," which was the most-viewed video on the BBC Introducing YouTube channel.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/introducing/2012/03/tip_of_the_week_gabrielle_apli.shtml|title=Tip of the Week: Gabrielle Aplin – Home|last1=Davies|first1=Lynda|date=26 March 2012|work=BBC Introducing Blog|publisher=BBC|access-date=17 November 2012}} Aplin released her third EP, Home, on 12 February 2012, again under Never Fade Records.{{cite web|url=https://awal.com/catalogue/product/23414/gabrielle-aplin/home-ep/ |title=Home EP – Gabrielle Aplin |publisher=AWAL |date=9 January 2012 |access-date=18 September 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304141556/https://awal.com/catalogue/product/23414/gabrielle-aplin/home-ep/ |archive-date=4 March 2016 }} She described Home as "the most honest thing I've ever written and recorded."{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Mk87hkMl-c |title=Gabrielle Aplin – Out On My Own (Home EP now available on iTunes) |publisher=YouTube |date=1 August 2012 |access-date=18 March 2012}}
=''English Rain'' and ''Light Up the Dark'' (2012–2016)=
On 29 February 2012, Aplin announced that she had signed a deal with Parlophone Records.{{cite news|url=http://www.thisisbath.co.uk/Bath-singer-Gabrielle-Aplin-signs-recording-deal/story-15411322-detail/story.html|title=Bath singer Gabrielle Aplin signs recording deal|date=6 March 2012|work=Bath Chronicle|access-date=16 November 2012}} Her first major label single titled "Please Don't Say You Love Me" was released on 10 February 2013.{{cite news|url=http://www.southwalesargus.co.uk/leisure/entertainments/10052553.Gabrielle_Aplin_covers_Frankie_Goes_To_Hollywood_classic/|title=Gabrielle Aplin covers Frankie Goes To Hollywood classic|date=16 November 2012|work=South Wales Argus|access-date=17 November 2012}}{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/17706683 |title=Introducing... Gabrielle Aplin |author=Steve Holden |work=Newsbeat |publisher=BBC |date=17 April 2012 |access-date=19 November 2012}} Later that year, Aplin was confirmed as the soundtrack to the John Lewis & Partners Christmas advert covering Frankie Goes to Hollywood's "The Power of Love".{{cite news | title = Gabrielle Aplin: The Power of a Christmas John Lewis advert? | date = 8 November 2012 | url = https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/features/gabrielle-aplin-the-power-of-a-christmas-john-lewis-advert-8298072.html | work = The Independent | access-date = 11 November 2012}} The song went on to top the UK Singles Chart in December 2012.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-20660766 |title=Power of Love cover claims number one spot |work=BBC News |date=9 December 2012 |access-date=9 December 2012}} On 13 May 2013, Aplin released her debut album, English Rain.{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/rockandpopfeatures/10037335/Gabrielle-Aplin-interview-I-dont-even-know-if-I-can-sing.html|title=Gabrielle Aplin interview: 'I don't even know if I can sing'|last=McCormick|first=Neil|website=The Daily Telegraph|date=13 May 2013|access-date=24 May 2020|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200327142157/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/rockandpopfeatures/10037335/Gabrielle-Aplin-interview-I-dont-even-know-if-I-can-sing.html|archive-date=27 March 2020}} Following its release, English Rain charted at number two on both the UK and Scottish album charts, selling over 35,000 copies. It also reached the top ten in Australia, number 11 in Ireland, and number 39 in New Zealand.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/article/22566471/gabrielle-aplin-reacts-to-chart-success|title=Gabrielle Aplin Reacts to Chart Success|date=20 May 2013|work=BBC Newsbeat}}
File:GIBRALTAR MUSIC FESTIVAL 2013 - GABRIELLE APLIN.jpg
In 2013, Aplin's record label, Never Fade Records, signed Welsh folk-jazz singer Hannah Grace, who had previously supported Aplin on tour, and indie folk artist Saint Raymond to deals.{{cite news |url=http://www.musicweek.com/news/read/parlophone-s-gabrielle-aplin-launches-own-label/053732 |title=Parlophone's Gabrielle Aplin launches own label |author=Tina Hart |newspaper=Music Week |date=25 February 2013 |access-date=22 March 2013}} Never Fade Records' first release since Aplin's own extended play Home in February 2012 was Saint Raymond's extended play Escapade on 22 April 2013. Saint Raymond has since departed Never Fade Records.{{cite web|url=http://www.nottinghampost.com/Nottingham-musician-Saint-Raymond-signs-major/story-19647151-detail/story.html|title=Nottingham musician Saint Raymond signs major label deal|work=Nottingham Post|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140503153729/http://www.nottinghampost.com/Nottingham-musician-Saint-Raymond-signs-major/story-19647151-detail/story.html|archive-date=3 May 2014}}
In May 2015, Aplin announced her second studio album, Light Up the Dark. The album announcement also featured the release of the title track's music video.{{cite web|url=http://www.inveterate.co.uk/music/gabrielle-aplin-singer-songwriter-announces-new-album-light-up-the-dark/145959/ |title=Gabrielle Aplin: Singer-Songwriter Announces New Album 'Light Up The Dark' |website=Inveterate.co.uk |date=18 May 2015 |access-date=18 May 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150520134243/http://www.inveterate.co.uk/music/gabrielle-aplin-singer-songwriter-announces-new-album-light-up-the-dark/145959/ |archive-date=20 May 2015 }} The video for the second single from Light Up the Dark, "Sweet Nothing," was released on 6 August 2015. The album itself was released on 18 September 2015.{{cite news |url=http://www.umusicpub.co.uk/en-GB/News/2015/Sep/Gabrielle-Aplin-Light-Up-The-Dark.aspx |title=Gabrielle Aplin – 'Light Up The Dark' |publisher=Universal Music Publishing |date=18 September 2015 |access-date=12 October 2015}} In September of the same year, it was reported that she had signed a modelling deal with Select modelling agency.{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/music/what-to-listen-to/listen-gabrielle-aplin-light-up-the-dark-exclusive-album-stream/|title=Listen to Gabrielle Aplin's Light Up the Dark – exclusive album stream |website=The Daily Telegraph |date=16 September 2015| access-date=17 September 2015|last1=Morgan |first1=Clive }}
In 2016, Aplin gained popularity in Brazil when her song "Home" was used in the popular telenovela Totalmente Demais.{{Cite web|url=http://gshow.globo.com/Musica/noticia/2016/05/gabrielle-aplin-estreia-no-brasil-embalada-pelo-sucesso-de-home-em-totalmente-demais.html |work=Rede Globo |title=Gabrielle Aplin estreia no Brasil embalada pelo sucesso de 'Home', em 'Totalmente Demais' |date=27 May 2016 |language=pt |access-date=9 November 2016 }} Aplin visited Brazil in May to make a cameo appearance in the final episode of the show. Following her appearance and a live performance on Domingão do Faustão, "Home" reached number 1 on the Brazilian iTunes chart, marking Aplin's fourth number 1 single worldwide.{{Cite web|url=http://gshow.globo.com/programas/domingao-do-faustao/ |title=Domingão do Faustão|work=Rede Globo |language=pt |date=22 May 2016|access-date=9 November 2016}} On 26 June, Aplin played at the Glastonbury Festival on the Acoustic stage and then on the BBC Introducing stage.{{Cite web|url=http://www.glastonburyfestivals.co.uk/line-up/line-up-2016/?artist#letter_g|title=Glastonbury Line-Up 2016|website=Glastonburyfestivals.co.uk|access-date=22 July 2016}}
=Extended plays and ''Dear Happy'' (2016–present)=
File:Gabrielle_Aplin_03_10_2018_-1_(27078864258).jpg in Los Angeles in 2018]]
On 9 November 2016, Aplin released "Miss You", the first single from the extended play of the same name.{{Cite web|url=http://www.nylon.com/articles/gabrielle-aplin-miss-you|title=Miss You Nylon Premiere|website=Nylon.com|access-date=10 October 2016}} The song has been described as a departure from her previously guitar-driven sound on Light Up the Dark, and the production as being much less 'bare bones' than her previous efforts.{{Cite web|url=http://www.idolator.com/7650678/gabrielle-aplin-miss-you|title=Gabrielle Aplin Switches It Up With "Miss You"|website=Idolator.com|access-date=10 October 2016}}
In February 2017, Aplin parted ways with Parlophone Records to focus on releasing material via her own independent record label, Never Fade Records. She said of the decision, "I really enjoy getting involved with everything—from my image to my artwork. It's been quite nice to be in control."{{cite web|url=https://www.standard.co.uk/showbiz/celebrity-news/gabrielle-aplin-there-s-so-much-to-write-about-now-i-m-independent-a3456456.html|title=Gabrielle Aplin says there's so much to write about now she's independent|website=Evening Standard|date=2 February 2017}} Aplin released a single titled "Waking Up Slow" on 9 August 2017.{{cite web|url=https://popcrush.com/gabrielle-aplin-waking-up-slow-premiere/|title=Gabrielle Aplin's 'Waking Up Slow'|date=August 2017|last=Donnelly|first=Matthew Scott|website=PopCrush|access-date=24 May 2020}} She then released her next EP, Avalon, on 6 October.{{cite web|url=https://gabrielleaplin.tmstor.es/cart/product.php?id=33604|title=Gabrielle Aplin - Avalon CD EP (Signed) - TM Stores|website=gabrielleaplin.tmstor.es|access-date=29 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180614172024/https://gabrielleaplin.tmstor.es/cart/product.php?id=33604|archive-date=14 June 2018|url-status=dead}} "Waking Up Slow" was lauded as one of the best pop songs of 2017 by Popjustice.{{cite web|url=https://www.popjustice.com/articles/gabrielle-aplin-interview-i-didnt-try-to-change-i-just-stopped-trying-not-to/|title=Gabrielle Aplin interview: "I didn't try to change, I just stopped trying not to|website=Popjustice|date=11 August 2017}}
Aplin announced the first single from her third album, "My Mistake", on 20 November 2018; it was released on 28 November, with Aplin describing it as her "most honest and raw song to date".{{Cite web|url=https://www.instagram.com/p/BqXwdgonT5z/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/s/instagram/BqXwdgonT5z |archive-date=24 December 2021 |url-access=limited|title=Gabrielle Aplin on Instagram: "Chapter 3 begins! I'm so happy to announce my new single My Mistake, out on 28/11/18! Make sure you pre-save here to hear it first:…"|website=Instagram}}{{cbignore}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/8486526/gabrielle-aplin-my-mistake-premiere|title=Gabrielle Aplin Finds Self-Acceptance in Her Vulnerable New Single 'My Mistake': Exclusive|website=Billboard.com}} Aplin collaborated with Hannah Grace on a Christmas extended play titled December, which was released on 4 December 2018. On 27 March 2019, Aplin released the second single titled "Nothing Really Matters" from her third album,{{Cite web | url=https://www.broadwayworld.com/bwwmusic/article/Gabrielle-Aplin-Releases-New-Single-Nothing-Really-Matters-20190327 | title=Gabrielle Aplin Releases New Single 'Nothing Really Matters'|website=Broadwayworld.com}} followed by another single titled "Losing Me", which features English singer JP Cooper, on 14 August.{{cite web|url=https://earmilk.com/2019/08/14/gabrielle-aplin-and-jp-cooper-join-forces-on-striking-pop-single-losing-me/|title=Gabrielle Aplin and JP Cooper join forces on striking pop single "Losing Me"|website=Earmilk|date=16 August 2019}} The album, titled Dear Happy, was released on 17 January 2020.{{cite web|last1=Cunniffe|first1=Jessie|last2=Lal|first2=Kish|last3=Shand|first3=John|last4=Smith|first4=Barnaby|title=Halsey gets lost in a sea of superstar voices on third album|url=https://www.smh.com.au/culture/music/music-reviews-gabrielle-aplin-halsey-keeley-forsyth-and-more-20200113-p53qz6.html|website=The Sydney Morning Herald|date=17 January 2020|access-date=13 April 2020}}
File:Gabrielle Aplin in 2023.jpg
Her fourth album, Phosphorescent, was released on 6 January 2023 on Never Fade Records.{{cite web|last1=Turner|first1=Lauren|url=https://atwoodmagazine.com/gaph-gabrielle-aplin-interview-phosphorescent-album-music-feature/|title=Interview: Gabrielle Aplin's Honest & Reflective 'Phosphorescent' Explores the Physicality of Life|work=Atwood Magazine|date=18 January 2023|access-date=12 June 2023}}
In 2021 Aplin's song 'Home' was featured in videogame Life is Strange: True Colors
Personal life
Aplin is vegan.{{cite web|last1=McLean|first1=Craig|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/features/gabrielle-aplin-interview-the-power-of-love-hitmaker-talks-light-up-the-dark-owning-her-own-record-10506047.html|title=Gabrielle Aplin interview: The Power of Love hitmaker talks Light Up the Dark, owning her own record label and music streaming|work=The Independent|date=18 September 2015|access-date=21 August 2020}} She is in a relationship with musician Alfie Hudson-Taylor.{{cite web|last1=Kelly|first1=Aoife|url=https://www.independent.ie/entertainment/music/the-response-has-been-mental-hudson-taylor-talk-supporting-hozier-avoiding-oasis-style-rifts-and-romance-on-the-road-37369195.html|title='The response has been mental' - Hudson Taylor talk supporting Hozier, avoiding Oasis-style rifts, and romance on the road|work=Irish Independent|date=30 September 2018|access-date=21 August 2020}} The couple reside in Somerset.{{cite web|last1=Donaldson|first1=Becky|url=https://www.hellomagazine.com/hfm/494759/gabrielle-aplin-on-how-nature-and-glastonbury-inspire-her-music/|title=Gabrielle Aplin on how nature and Glastonbury inspire her music|work=Hello!|date=6 June 2023|access-date=12 June 2023}}
Discography
{{Main|Gabrielle Aplin discography}}
- English Rain (2013)
- Light Up the Dark (2015)
- Dear Happy (2020)
- Phosphorescent (2023){{cite tweet|user=GabrielleAplin|number=1610680150265565189|title=Phosphorescent is out in two days!! I can't believe it's nearly here! To celebrate we've uploaded Skylight (Live Piano Version) to YouTube a little early....|date=4 January 2023}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
{{Commons category}}
- {{Official website}}
- {{IMDb name|nm5615954}}
- {{Instagram|gabrielleaplin}}
{{Gabrielle Aplin}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Aplin, Gabrielle}}
Category:21st-century English women singers
Category:21st-century English singers
Category:English women singer-songwriters
Category:English singer-songwriters
Category:Musicians from Wiltshire
Category:People educated at Bath College