Zee Avi

She is originally from Miri, located in Sarawak, Malaysia on the island of Borneo. She moved to Kuala Lumpur at the age of 12 and taught herself to play the guitar at 17.{{cite AV media|date = 24 Feb 2009 |title = Zee Avi - An Introduction |language = English |url = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EhS4mQ0QoH4 |access-date = 13 June 2021 |publisher = Zee Avi Music}} Avi played rhythm guitar in a couple of bands while in Kuala Lumpur before moving to London to study fashion design at the American InterContinental University. After returning from London, she started writing songs.{{Cite web|url=http://www.fuelfriendsblog.com/2009/05/16/interview-the-refreshing-zee-avi/|title=Interview: the refreshing Zee Avi|last=Browne|first=Heather|date=16 May 2009|website=Fuel/Friends Music Blog|publisher=Fuel/Friends LLC|access-date=30 July 2016}}

In September 2007, Avi posted a video of her first song, "Poppy" on YouTube for one of her friends who had missed her first performance in Kuala Lumpur. The friend convinced Avi to leave the video online even after he had seen it, and soon she received positive feedback. This inspired her to put more videos on YouTube.

Several months later, on the eve of her 22nd birthday, Avi posted what was supposed to be her final video "No Christmas For Me". The next day, YouTube put the spotlight on her video and Avi's mailbox was bombarded with more than 3,000 e-mails and a slew of offers from record labels.[http://roadtripnation.com/leader/zee-avi Zee's Open Road]

After discovering her video, Patrick Keeler of The Raconteurs, passed the link to Ian Montone, the manager of The White Stripes, The Shins, The Raconteurs, M.I.A. and others. Montone then passed her music on to Emmett Malloy, who signed her to Brushfire Records, a record company that is partly owned by Jack Johnson. "No Christmas For Me" turned out to be her first official song with Brushfire Records. It was featured on Brushfire Records's 2008 charity Christmas album This Warm December: A Brushfire Holiday (Vol. 1).{{Cite web|url=http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20081106005447/en/Brushfire-Records-World-Premiere-First-Ever-Holiday-CD-Compilation|title=Brushfire Records to World-Premiere Their First-Ever Holiday CD Compilation Exclusively via iLike|date=6 November 2008|website=Business Wire|publisher=Business Wire|access-date=30 July 2016}}

{{Main|Zee Avi (album)}}

Avi's self-titled debut album was released on 19 May 2009. The album was co-produced by Brushfire Records and Ian Montone's Monotone Records. On the day of the release, YouTube featured her on the front page in Spotlight: Music Tuesday. A day after that, she performed to a full house at the famed Roxy Theater in West Hollywood.{{Cite web|url=http://edition.cnn.com/2009/SHOWBIZ/Music/06/02/zee.avi/|title=YouTube leads to fame for singing sensation|last=Brown|first=Quinn|date=2 June 2009|website=CNN|access-date=30 July 2016}} The album went on to become the ninth best album of 2009 according to the Associated Press.{{Cite web|url=http://www.today.com/id/34364094/ns/today-today_entertainment/t/best-albums/#.UhocnqzLIZ4|title=The 10 best albums of 2009|date=3 January 2010|website=TODAY|publisher=NBC News|access-date=30 July 2016}} She made her US television debut on 18 June 2009, performing her debut single "Bitter Heart" live on Last Call With Carson Daly.{{Cite web|url=http://www.tv.com/shows/last-call-with-carson-daly/june-18-2009-john-scurti-zee-avi-2468007/|title=Last Call with Carson Daly: June 18, 2009: John Scurti; Zee Avi|last=TV.com|website=TV.com|access-date=30 July 2016}}

Her second album Ghostbird was released on 23 August 2011. "The Book of Morris Johnson" was the first single off her sophomore effort. Ghostbird topped the US Billboard Heatseekers Albums chart and spawned hits like "Swell Window" and "Concrete Wall" after both songs were featured in Season 5 of the hit television series Gossip Girl.[http://www.tvfanatic.com/music/artists/zee-avi/ TV Fanatic: Zee Avi Music] Avi has the distinction of being the first Malaysian singer to have albums on the US Billboard Hot 200 Albums chart and top a Billboard chart (Heatseekers Album).

She toured the United States with Pete Yorn from June to August 2009, the final leg being at the Music Box, Henry Fonda Theater in Hollywood, California on 27 August 2009.[http://www.kcrw.com/events/kcrw_events/pete-yorn-w-zee-avi KCRW Events schedule] She opened for the multi-talented Jack Johnson during his concert at the Greek Theater, UC Berkeley on 6 October 2010,[http://upcoming.yahoo.com/event/2807057 Yahoo Events schedule]{{Cite web|url=http://uwire.com/2010/10/08/concert-review-jack-johnsons-chiller-instinct/|title=Concert review: Jack Johnson's 'chiller instinct'|last=Moore|first=Nick|date=8 October 2010|website=UWire|publisher=Daily Californian|access-date=30 July 2016}} and had the honor of collaborating with Johnson on a live mash-up of their respective hits "Just You And Me" and "Breakdown." She also opened for Grammy-winning singer/songwriter and feminist icon Ani DiFranco at the Chameleon Club in Lancaster, Pennsylvania on 21 October 2011 to mark the 20th anniversary of World Cafe.{{Cite web|url=http://www.chameleonclub.net/event/69669-world-cafe-20th-anniversary-lancaster/|title=World Cafe 20th Anniversary Concert with Ani Difranco|website=Chameleon Club|access-date=30 July 2016}}

Avi has performed sets at some of the most celebrated music tours and festivals, namely SXSW in Austin, Texas (March 2009),{{Cite web|url=http://www.redefinemag.com/2009/sxsw-2009-festival-review-zee-avi-port-o-brien-the-mae-shi/|title=SXSW 2009 Festival Review: Zee Avi, Port O'Brien, The Mae Shi|last=Liang|first=Jeanette|date=23 March 2009|website=REDEFINE|publisher=REDEFINE Magazine|language=en-US|access-date=30 July 2016}} Bonnaroo in Tennessee (June 2009), San Francisco's Outside Lands (August 2009),{{Cite web|url=http://www.asiaarts.ucla.edu/article.asp?parentid=111905|title=Riding on the Outskirts of Outside Lands|last=Ty|first=Kanara|date=9 April 2009|website=Asia Pacific Arts - UCLA|publisher=UCLA Asia Institute|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131007200614/http://www.asiaarts.ucla.edu/article.asp?parentid=111905|archive-date=7 October 2013}} Byron Bay Bluesfest in Australia (April 2010),{{Cite web|url=https://fillingthepages.com/2010/04/27/the-21st-annual-byron-bay-bluesfest/|title=The 21st Annual Byron Bay Bluesfest|last=Marianne|date=27 April 2010|website=Filling The Pages|access-date=2016-07-30}} Lilith Fair in Ohio, New Jersey and Massachusetts (July 2010),{{Cite web|url=http://asiapacificarts.usc.edu/w_apa/showarticle.aspx?articleID=14344&AspxAutoDetectCookieSupport=1|title=Jones and Avi at Lilith Fair 2010|last=Chun|first=Megan|date=22 January 2010|website=Asia Pacific Arts - University of Southern California|publisher=University of Southern California|access-date=30 July 2016}} Mountain Jam in New York (May–June 2012){{Cite news|url=http://livemusicblog.com/2012/01/26/mountain-jam-2012-steve-winwood-mule-franti-the-roots-more/|title=Mountain Jam 2012: Steve Winwood, Mule, Franti, The Roots & more…|last=Ward|first=Justin|date=26 January 2012|website=Live Music Blog|publisher=Live Music Blog|access-date=30 July 2016}} and Rainforest World Music Festival in Kuching, Sarawak (July 2012).{{Cite web|url=http://www.songlines.co.uk/world-music-news/2012/07/rainforest-festival-2/|title=Rainforest Festival|last=Broughton|first=Simon|date=18 July 2012|website=Songlines World Music News|publisher=MA Business & Leisure, Ltd|access-date=30 July 2016}}

She toured Asia in November 2011, performing in Tokyo, Seoul, Taipei, Singapore, Bali, Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, Penang and Miri.{{Cite web|url=http://zeeavi.com/news/406|title=Two more Asian dates in Indonesia added to tour|last=Zee Avi|date=27 October 2011|website=Zee Avi|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130508100721/http://zeeavi.com/news/406|archive-date=8 May 2013}} This was followed by a US East Coast Tour in February 2012, with gigs in New York, Massachusetts, Philadelphia, Maryland and North Carolina.{{Cite web|url=http://zeeavi.com/news/428|title=Happy New Year|last=Zee Avi|date=5 January 2012|website=Zee Avi|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130508152447/http://zeeavi.com/news/428|archive-date=8 May 2013}} In September 2012, she performed in six cities during her California Tour.{{Cite web|url=http://thebookofzeeavi.tumblr.com/post/28401730290/zee-avi-california-tour-dates-sep-18-oakland-sep|title=Zee Avi California Tour Dates|year=2012|website=The Book Of Zee Avi|access-date=30 July 2016}}

File:Zee Avi SXSW 2009.jpg on March 18, 2009 in Austin, Texas]]

In December 2012, Avi was conferred the state order and medal of Pegawai Bintang Kenyalang (Officer of the Order of the Star of Hornbill Sarawak) for her service to the state of Sarawak by the Yang di-Pertua Negeri (Head of State). The award is the Fifth Rank of the Darjah Yang Amat Mulia Bintang Kenyalang Sarawak (Most Illustrious Order of the Star of Hornbill Sarawak).{{Cite web|url=http://www.thestar.com.my/story.aspx?file=%252f2012%252f12%252f14%252fsarawak%252f12458085&sec=sarawak|title=Zee Avi among three artistes bestowed state awards|date=14 December 2012|website=The Star Online|publisher=Star Media Group Berhad|access-date=30 July 2016}}

Avi's latest offering is Nightlight, a 9-track album consisting of covers for children that was released on 22 April 2014. The album, which was recorded in Woodstock, New York within a span of just four days, includes covers of "Ben" (Michael Jackson); "The Rainbow Connection" (Kermit the Frog); "The Circle Game" (Joni Mitchell); "Colors of the Wind" (Judy Kuhn); and a medley of "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star," "Lima Anak Ayam," "Air Pasang Malam," "Lagu Tiga Kupang," "Sing A Song of Sixpence," and "Rock-a-bye Baby." Avi released two tracks from the album, The Velvet Underground's "Who Loves The Sun" and Bobby McFerrin's "Don't Worry, Be Happy" in February 2014, as teasers for her new record.[http://www.thestar.com.my/Lifestyle/Entertainment/Music/2014/02/25/Dreamtime-with-Zee-Avis-lullaby-album/ Dreamtime With Zee Avi's Lullaby Album]{{Cite web|url=http://www.nst.com.my/life-times/health/zee-s-music-for-grown-ups-and-kids-1.518160|title=Zee's music for grown-ups and kids|date=18 March 2014|website=Lite and Times - New Straits Times|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140430200017/http://www.nst.com.my/life-times/health/zee-s-music-for-grown-ups-and-kids-1.518160|archive-date=30 April 2014}} Nightlight made it on the iTunes Best of 2014 Albums (Children's Music) list.

On 26 November 2016, Zee Avi won her first major international award with Best Original Film Song at the 53rd Taipei Golden Horse Film Festival and Awards for Arena Cahaya, the theme song she co-wrote and performed for one of Malaysia's highest grossing films of all time, Ola Bola.{{Cite web|url=https://www.nst.com.my/news/2016/11/192155/showbiz-zee-avis-ola-bola-anthem-wins-best-theme-song-golden-horse-awards|title=Zee Avi's Ola Bola anthem wins Best Theme Song at Golden Horse Awards|last=Loong Wai Ting|date=27 November 2016|publisher=New Straits Times|access-date=28 November 2016}}

In August 2019, Zee announced that she is working on her upcoming third studio album titled Ellipses, which is her favourite punctuation.{{cite web|title=ASEAN in View: Zee Avi|url=https://theaseanpost.com/article/asean-view-zee-avi|date=7 August 2019|author=Liyana Hassan|publisher=The ASEAN Post|access-date = 27 January 2020}} The first single of the yet-to-be released album, "Who are U?" was released on 2019 Malaysia Day. Ellipses will feature nine songs that she wrote over the past seven years and will be released independently.{{cite web|title=Zee Avi: Home is where her heart is|url=https://www.edgeprop.my/content/1636713/zee-avi-home-where-her-heart|date=24 January 2020|author=ANITA KANDHAVEL |publisher=The Edge Prop|access-date = 27 January 2020}} In December 2019, Novartis Malaysia chose Zee to compose a song, "My Skin" with the aim of creating awareness on psoriasis. The song was produced by Yuswa Ansari. The music video features psoriasis fighters from different background and was uploaded on Novartis Malaysia's YouTube channel on 9 December 2019.{{cite web|title=#Showbiz: Zee Avi raises awareness about psoriasis with 'My Skin'|url=https://www.nst.com.my/lifestyle/groove/2019/12/546912/showbiz-zee-avi-raises-awareness-about-psoriasis-my-skin|date=11 December 2019|author=Tahir Alhamzah |publisher=New Straits Times|access-date = 7 January 2020}}

Avi is also a visual artist and a lover of art. "The Book Of Morris Johnson", which is the lead single from her second album, was inspired by paintings by Morris Johnson, a Floridian folk artist. Avi's original artwork is featured on the CD of her second album Ghostbird. She also produced three art pieces for a charity project with Pledge Music.{{Cite web|url=http://stylekandi.com/blog/zee-avi-singer-songwriter-interview-ghostbird-malaysia.html|title=Zee Avi - Singer/Songwriter|last=Cheong|first=Bervin|date=2 September 2011|website=StyleKandi|publisher=Antics Media|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203014749/http://stylekandi.com/blog/zee-avi-singer-songwriter-interview-ghostbird-malaysia.html|archive-date=3 December 2013|access-date=30 July 2016}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.pledgemusic.com/projects/zeeavi|title=Zee Avi: 'Ghostbird' : New Album Release!|website=Pledge Music|publisher=PledgeMusic|access-date=30 July 2016}} Some of her artworks, emblazoned on ukuleles, are also given away as gifts to a selected number of her fans.

She cites swing bands, Gershwin and America jazz from the 1920s as influences.{{Cite web|url=http://www.bmi.com/news/entry/zee_avi_an_old_souls_organic_sounds|title=Zee Avi: An Old Soul's Organic Sounds|last=Hall|first=Russell|date=10 September 2009|website=BMI|publisher=Broadcast Music, Inc|access-date=30 July 2016}} She has been likened to Ella Fitzgerald many times and one writer called her "the next heiress in the bloodline of young women with supernaturally classic voices".{{Cite web|url=https://www.popmatters.com/pm/review/94284-zee-avi-zee-avi/|title=Zee Avi: Zee Avi|last=Martin|first=Erin Lyndal|date=15 June 2009|website=PopMatters|publisher=PopMatters.com|access-date=30 July 2016}}

She also describes herself as a "rock lover at heart". She has a diverse musical preference from The Carpenters to The Cranberries.{{Cite web|url=http://www.jetstarmag.com/story/the-accidental-star/1551/1/|title=The accidental star|date=February 2012|website=JetStar Magazine|publisher=Ink Publishing|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120511221949/http://www.jetstarmag.com/story/the-accidental-star/1551/1/|archive-date=11 May 2012}} She draws inspiration from Cat Power, Regina Spektor, Leonard Cohen, Tom Waits, Jolie Holland, Daniel Johnston and Chris Garneau, Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, Velvet Underground and Led Zeppelin.{{Cite web|url=http://popwuping.com/inspiration/inspiration_zee_avi/|title=Inspiration: Zee Avi|last=MacLeod|first=Clark|date=12 June 2009|website=Popwuping|publisher=Clark MacLeod|language=en-US|access-date=30 July 2016}}

1. The Associated Press named Zee Avi (album) one of the Top 10 Albums of 2009 alongside albums by big names like Mariah Carey, Jay Z, Norah Jones and The Black Eyed Peas.
2. Zee Avi was nominated for "Break Out Award" and "Pop Star Award" at the 2010 Shout! Awards in Malaysia.
3. MSN Malaysia named Zee Avi one of the Top 10 Young Malaysians in 2011.
4. Zee Avi was bestowed the Youth Icon (International) Award by the Sarawak State Government in conjunction with Hari Perhimpunan Belia Negara 2011 Peringkat Negeri Sarawak (National Youth Assembly Day 2011 Sarawak State Level).
5. The Asia Pacific Brands Foundation presented Zee Avi with The BrandLaureate Grandmaster Brand Icon Leadership Award 2012 for Zee's achievements as a singer and songwriter, and for establishing a successful career in the international music scene.{{Cite web|url=http://www.thebrandlaureate.com/2011/brandiconleadership/icons-winners2012.html|title=ICON Awards 2011|website=The BrandLaureate|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131017103445/http://www.thebrandlaureate.com/2011/brandiconleadership/icons-winners2012.html|archive-date=17 October 2013}}
6. Is This The End a song written and performed by Zee Avi, and featured in the independent film Transatlantic Coffee, was the recipient of the Bronze Medal for Excellence in the Best Impact of Music in a Feature Film (Artistic Excellence) category at the 2012 Park City Film Music Festival.
7. Zee Avi was conferred the Pegawai Bintang Kenyalang (Officer of the Order of the Star of Hornbill Sarawak) by the Yang di-Pertua Negeri (Head of State) in an investiture ceremony held in Kuching on 12 December 2012.{{Cite web|url=http://www.theborneopost.com/2012/12/15/musicians-receive-state-awards/|title=Musicians receive state awards|date=15 December 2012|website=BorneoPost Online|publisher=BorneoPost Online|access-date=30 July 2016}}
8. Nightlight was named one of iTunes Best of 2014 Albums in the Children's Music category.
9. The song Arena Cahaya, which she performed and co-wrote for the movie Ola Bola, won the Best Original Theme Song award at the 28th Malaysia Film Festival held on 3 September 2016{{Cite news|url=http://www.finas.gov.my/festival-film-malaysia-28-awards/|title=Festival Filem Malaysia 28|publisher=Perbadanan Kemajuan Filem Nasional Malaysia|date=3 September 2016|access-date=2017-06-20}} and Best Original Film Song at the prestigious 53rd Taipei Golden Horse Film Festival and Awards held on 26 November 2016.{{Cite news|url=http://www.nst.com.my/news/2016/11/192155/showbiz-zee-avis-ola-bola-anthem-wins-best-theme-song-golden-horse-awards|title=(Showbiz) Zee Avi's Ola Bola anthem wins Best Theme Song at Golden Horse Awards|newspaper=NST Online|access-date=2016-11-27}}
10. Zee Avi was awarded "International Young Artiste Award" at the 2018 Top Asia Corporate Ball held in Jakarta, Indonesia.{{Cite web|url=http://www.theborneopost.com/2018/11/26/zee-avi-receives-top-honour-at-top-asia-corporate-ball-2018/|title=Zee Avi receives top honour at Top Asia Corporate Ball 2018|website=The Borneo Post|date=26 November 2018 |access-date=26 November 2018}}

• Nightlight (2014)

• One More Time With Colors (2010)
• Concrete Wall (remixes) (2012)

• 2011: Homecoming Tour{{cite web|author=Lorna Stewart-Thornton|date=23 November 2011|title=Zee Avi Homecoming Tour @ KL Live|url=https://juiceonline.com/zee-avi-homecoming-tour-kl-live/|access-date=29 January 2019|publisher=Juice Online}}

{{reflist|30em}}

{{Commons category|Zee Avi}}

• {{Official website|http://www.zeeavi.com/}}
• [http://brushfirerecords.com/artists/zee-avi/ Brushfire Records Artist Profile – Zee Avi]

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Avi, Zee}}

Category:Living people

Category:1985 births

Category:Malaysian women pop singers

Category:People from Sarawak

Category:English-language singers from Malaysia

Category:Ukulele players

Category:Malaysian women singer-songwriters

Category:Malaysian singer-songwriters

Category:Musicians from Kuala Lumpur

Category:Malaysian women guitarists

Category:Malaysian folk singers

Category:Malaysian rock singers

Category:Malaysian pop rock singers

Category:Malaysian jazz singers

Category:21st-century Malaysian women singers

Category:21st-century women guitarists

Category:21st-century Malaysian musicians

Category:21st-century Malaysian women musicians

Category:21st-century Malaysian guitarists