Lindi Ortega (born May 28) is a Canadian singer-songwriter from Toronto, Ontario. Now living in Tennessee, her voice has been described as a blend of Dolly Parton, Johnny Cash, and Emmylou Harris.[1] She spent nearly a decade as an independent artist in the Toronto music scene,[2] releasing two albums and an EP in that time. She has been described as "Toronto's best kept secret"[3] and nicknamed "Indie Lindi".[4] Ortega is currently signed to Last Gang Records where she has released three albums, most recently Tin Star in October 2013.
Lindi Ortega | |
|---|---|
 Ortega performing in Paris, France February 24, 2012 | |
| Background information | |
| Genres | Alternative rock, acoustic music, folk music |
| Occupation(s) | Musician, Songwriter |
| Instrument(s) | Vocals, guitar, piano, ukulele |
| Years active | 2000–present |
| Labels | Last Gang Records |
| Website | www |
At the end of 2010 and beginning of 2011, Ortega toured extensively as a backup singer for Brandon Flowers, the lead singer of The Killers, in support of his solo album, Flamingo. This tour included dates in the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, France, Italy, Spain and Mexico, as well as televised live performances on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Jimmy Kimmel Live!, Later... with Jools Holland and at Abbey Road Studios. There were also a number of festival dates in the United States and Europe, including Coachella, T in the Park and Oxegen.
On February 7, 2012, Ortega was nominated for two Juno Awards - New Artist of the Year and Roots & Traditional Album: Solo.[5]
On June 14, 2012, Ortega's album Little Red Boots was named as a longlisted nominee for the 2012 Polaris Music Prize.[6] In June 2013, her album Cigarettes & Truckstops was longlisted for the 2013 Polaris Music Prize.
Family
Her mother is of Irish descent and her father is of Mexican descent. Her father often could be found at her early shows supporting his daughter, well-known to and interacting with fans.
Charity work
A self-described bird lover, Ortega organised and was the featured performer at a benefit concert for the World Parrot Refuge in Coombs, British Columbia on 3 March 2010.[7] The concert was held at The Supermarket in Toronto and featured a collection of local musicians that included Sara Kamin, Mandippal Jandu, The Framework, Emma-Lee, The DoneFors, and Dylan Murray.[8]
Career
The Taste of Forbidden Fruit
Ortega's debut album, The Taste of Forbidden Fruit, was released in 2001. In her review of the album, Coreen Wolanski of Exclaim! described Ortega's voice as "the closest thing to vocal perfection" she had heard in a long time.[9] CBC Radio 3 described the album as follows:
Lindi seasons her musical scores like a deranged chef whipping up a culinary creation. A dash of country, a pinch of folk, a sprinkle of rock, and a smidgeon of jazz! Last but not least, to add a little spice, how about some vaudeville cabaret? No, this is not a textbook recipe, but rather a mystical scribbling from an ancient scroll. Lindi is enigmatic and enchanting with a voice that can be cheeky and brassy or haunting and ghostly. Her music derives from the metaphysical in a sphere that warps time and defies orthodoxy. This madness is a pure passion that has never met the technicalities of music theory.[10]
The song Nothing At All from this album was used in the online campaign for the Dove Campaign for Real Beauty.[11]
Fall from Grace
In late 2005 Ortega began advertising her new album as coming in the autumn of 2006[4] having declared, "People kept pushing and prodding and finally I saw the light".[12] Fall From Grace was released on 6 February 2007.[13] In reviewing the album Oxyfication.com described Fall From Grace as "the quintessential album of the trials, tribulations, and triumphs of life as an indie singer."[3]
The EPs
In 2007 Ortega collaborated with Juno Award winning producer Ron Lopata on "I Need", a song for the compilation album Year of the Monkey - 68. Lopata has since produced Ortega's two EPs and occasionally tours with her as her keyboardist. Ortega's eponymous EP was initially sold at concerts and on 5 March 2008 was made available online from independent music retailer killthe8.com.[14] When the initial run sold out the EP was discontinued. After being signed to Cherrytree Records / Interscope Records in August 2008 Ortega released her second EP, The Drifter E.P., to critical success. Ortega then began an extensive touring schedule which included touring with Noah & the Whale in the autumn of 2008,[15] performing at the 2009 SXSW festival in Austin, TX in March,[16] and opening for Kevin Costner & The Modern West's tour in July.[17][18] In September 2009 Ortega performed on a cross-Canada tour as opening act for Keane's North American tour.[19][20] After the success of labelmate Lady Gaga, Cherrytree decided they would focus on dance / pop acts and Ortega signed with Last Gang Records.
Little Red Boots
Ortega announced on her blog that a new full length album with Juno Award winning producer, Ron Lopata, would be released on 7 June 2011 on Last Gang.[21] A release party was held at The Dakota Tavern in Toronto on 6 June 2011. The album and song, Little Red Boots, are named after her signature red boots that she got while on tour with Kevin Costner and his rock country band Modern West. The album received critical acclaim and was nominated for two Juno Awards as well as a place on the Polaris Music Prize Long List.
Cigarettes & Truckstops
In December, 2011, Ortega moved to Nashville, TN where she began working with producer Colin Linden to record her album Cigarettes & Truckstops. The album was released on Last Gang Records on October 2, 2012. In support of this album, Ortega toured the United States and Canada, opening for Southern California punk legends Social Distortion. In June 2013, the album was longlisted for the 2013 Polaris Music Prize.
Tin Star
Ortega released her third album for Last Gang, Tin Star, on October 8, 2013.
Discography
Studio albums and EPs
| Title | Album details | Peak chart positions | |
|---|---|---|---|
| US Heat [22] |
US Country [23] | ||
| The Taste of Forbidden Fruit[24] |
|
— | — |
| Fall from Grace[3] |
|
— | — |
| Lindi Ortega E.P. |
|
— | — |
| The Drifter E.P.[25] |
|
— | — |
| Little Red Boots |
|
27 | — |
| Tennessee Christmas E.P. |
|
— | — |
| Cigarettes & Truckstops |
|
42 | 71 |
| Tin Star |
|
35 | 56 |
| "—" denotes releases that did not chart | |||
Compilations and soundtracks
| Date of Release |
Title | Song(s) | Label |
| 2004 | Maybe This Christmas Tree[26] | Fairytale of New York (duet with Pilate) | Nettwerk |
| 2005 | The Surreal Gourmet - A Feast For Your Ears[27] | Tomorrow You'll Say Goodbye | Warner Music Canada |
| 2007 | Year of the Monkey - 68[28] | I Need | independent |
| 2010 | Major Lazer - Lazers Never Die EP[29] | Good Enuff (Featuring Collie Budz & Lindi Ortega) | Interscope Records |
Music videos
| Year | Title | Director |
|---|---|---|
| 2011 | "Little Lie"[30] | Margaret Malandruccolo |
| "Black Fly"[31] | Michael Maxxis | |
| "Christmas Eve with You"[32] | David Foss Ricci | |
| 2012 | "The Day You Die"[33] | Ante Kovac |
| 2013 | "Murder of Crows"[34] | Lindi Ortega |
| "Tin Star"[35] | Michael Maxxis |
Awards and nominations
| Year | Association | Category | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | 2012 Polaris Music Prize | Polaris Music Prize Long List – Little Red Boots | Nominated |
| 2012 | 2013 Polaris Music Prize | Polaris Music Prize Long List – Cigarettes & Truckstops | Nominated |
| 2012 | Juno Awards of 2012 | New Artist of the Year | Nominated |
| Roots & Traditional Album of the Year – Solo – Little Red Boots | Nominated | ||
| 2013 | Canadian Country Music Association | Roots Artist or Group of the Year | Nominated |
References
- ^ Miller, Jr., Neil. "REVIEW: Lindi Ortega - The Drifter EP". UR Chicago Online Magazine. Retrieved 7 September 2009.
- ^ "Lindi Ortega". The Living Room. Retrieved 7 September 2009.
- ^ a b c "Fall From Grace / Lindi Ortega". Oxyfication.net. Retrieved 7 September 2009.
- ^ a b "Lindi Ortega". oxyfication.com. 25 October 2005. Retrieved 28 June 2010.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help) - ^ "2012 JUNO Award Nominees". Retrieved February 7, 2012.
- ^ "The 2012 Polaris Music Prize Long List Is Here". Retrieved June 14, 2012.
- ^ Turnbull, Barbara (February 26, 2010). "Music for the birds". The Toronto Star. Retrieved 28 June 2010.
{{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - ^ "Lindi Ortega's Benefit Concert for the WPR". worldparrotrefuge.org. 2 February 2010. Retrieved 28 June 2010.
- ^ Wolanski, Coreen (April 2002). "Lindi The Taste of Forbidden Fruit". Exclaim!. Retrieved 28 June 2010.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=and|date=(help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - ^ "Lindi - CBC Radio 3: Free music, videos, podcasts & concerts". CBC Radio 3. Retrieved 28 June 2010.
- ^ "YouTube - a Dove film - Girl's self-esteem".
- ^ MacNeil, Jason (2 June 2006). "Pickering musician returns to her music". Retrieved 28 June 2010.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help) - ^ "Lindi, "Fall From Grace *" - mymusic CD, Album details". mymusic.ca. Retrieved 28 June 2010.
- ^ "Lindi Ortega — New EP now available online!". Retrieved 28 June 2010.
- ^ Reinford, Kyle Dean (17 September 2008). "Noah & the Whale & Lindi Ortega @ Union Pool, NYC - pics". brooklynvegan.com. Retrieved 28 June 2010.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help) - ^ "South by Southwest Music Festival". Retrieved 28 June 2010.
- ^ "Highlights From Lindi Ortega's Iowa Concerts". PopDirt.com. Retrieved 7 September 2009.
- ^ "Upcoming Events Kevin Costner and Modern West with Lindi Ortega". Ozanam Guild.org. Retrieved 7 September 2009.
- ^ "LiveNation.com". Retrieved 7 September 2009.
- ^ "Past Shows". Lindi Ortega's Official Site. Retrieved 28 June 2010.
- ^ "Good Things Come To Those Who Wait". Retrieved 21 May 2010.
- ^ "Lindi Ortega Album & Song Chart History – Heatseekers Albums". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved October 11, 2012.
- ^ "Lindi Ortega Album & Song Chart History – Country Albums". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved October 11, 2012.
- ^ "CD Reviews: Lindi Ortega: The Taste of Forbidden Fruit". audioexposure.com. Retrieved 7 September 2009.
- ^ "Drifter (Single, EP)". Amazon.com. Retrieved 7 September 2009.
- ^ "Maybe This Christmas Tree". Amazon.ca. Retrieved 28 October 2009.
- ^ "Surreal Gourmet". Amazon.ca. Retrieved 28 October 2009.
- ^ "Year Of The Monkey - 68". SilverBirchProd.com. Retrieved 28 October 2009.
- ^ "Major Lazer - Lazers Never Die EP". http://www.interscope.com. Retrieved 20 July 2010.
{{cite web}}: External link in|publisher= - ^ "CMT : Videos : Lindi Ortega : Little Lie". Country Music Television. Retrieved 28 August 2011.
- ^ "CMT : Videos : Lindi Ortega : Black Fly". Country Music Television. Retrieved 4 October 2011.
- ^ "CMT : Videos : Lindi Ortega : Christmas Eve With You". Country Music Television. Retrieved 9 December 2011.
- ^ "CMT : Videos : Lindi Ortega : The Day You Die". Country Music Television. Retrieved 5 November 2012.
- ^ "CMT : Videos : Lindi Ortega : Murder of Crows". Country Music Television. Retrieved 22 March 2013.
- ^ "CMT : Videos : Lindi Ortega : Tin Star". Country Music Television. Retrieved 9 November 2013.
External links
