Biography

from take40


Born in Auckland, New Zealand, Ricki-Lee Coulter, has lived on Australias Gold Coast since she was three weeks old. An unrecognised singing talent for years, Ricki-Lee has spent most of her childhood as an active sports fanatic. She was destined for a career in Pro-Netball until a serious knee injury brought it all to a screaming halt. After six years playing competitively for Queensland, the dream was suddenly over...or was it just the beginning?

It was around that time, following a random family sing-a-long at a party, that her vocal abilities were uncovered and she was asked to join local singing sensation REV. Ricki-Lee very quickly mastered the difficult task of juggling her high school workload and a demanding gigging schedule on the Brisbane and Gold Coast live circuit. Working four to five nights a week, she remained a high academic achiever and leapt head-first into school productions, securing lead musical roles in HAIR, Jesus Christ Superstar, Les Miserables, Miss Saigon, CATS, Rent, The Boyfriend, Phantom of the Opera, Grease, and Rocky Horror Picture Show.

Ricki-Lees love of music extended way past the vocal element, taking-up and mastering several musical instruments, including Tenor Sax, the Flute, and the Trumpet - often playing in school concerts and in the school Stage Band. She completed her schooling with honours in academics, music and sporting achievements, however ultimately chose to pursue a career in singing.

Ricki-Lee honed her skills working where she could, with duo, trios and even a ten-piece big band, across all styles - from Rock to Hip Hop and everything in between. Coulters own love of music is extremely eclectic, with influences in Pop, Reggae, Rock, Hip Hop, R&B, right through to Mowtown and Soul. Her favourite artists include Beyonce, Mariah Carey, Bob Marley, Stevie Wonder, Whitney Houston, Michael Jackson, Boyz2Men and Brian McKnight (to name but a few really...).

In her first year out of school, while gigging at nights, Ricki-Lee would spend her days working on her own original music, recording with good friend Xy Latu (who competed in Network Tens X Factor with the group Random).
In 2003, Ricki-Lee auditioned for the first series of Australian Idol, but was turned down. Undeterred, she continued to wow local audiences with featured performances at such events as the Channel 7 Lord Mayors Christmas Carols. 2004 saw Ricki-Lee make the Top 60 for the Seven Networks Popstars Live, and again this shot at national fame was not to be as she was included in the first group of 20 to go home.

Later that same year, auditions for Series Two, Australian Idol beckoned, and not one to give up easily, Ricki-Lee again auditioned for the show. This time her talent took her through to the shows Top 12. It was this run on the Network Ten series that saw Australia fall in love with the powerhouse vocalist, and saw ratings on the hit show plummet when she was voted off mid-series 7th, in what the judges described as misguided voting. Ricki-Lee has since been busy travelling Australia making public appearances and performing for her ever-expanding fan-base, having signed a record deal with Public Opinion Music/Shock Records Australias largest independent record company.

In the last 12-months alone, Ricki-Lee has appeared on Channel 9s hit show Celebrity Circus which also saw her open the finale show with a stunning rendition of Judy Garlands Somewhere Over The Rainbow arranged by Australian music legend, John Foreman; shes attended several of the industry night of nights, including The Logies and The ARIA Awards (even arrived by Helipcopter due to a schedule clash with INDY!), shes shot a cameo role in Mick & Martin Molloys new feature film, Boytown; performed the national Anthems for Australia and the United States at the 2005 Lexmark Indy 300 which broadcasts to 150 million people worldwide; has made countless appearances on National television and radio around the country and remains committed to a number of charities including Starlight Foundation, WorldVision, The Clown Doctors, The Abused Childrens Fund and Seeing Dogs.

2005, most importantly saw Ricki-Lee recording her debut self-titled album Ricki-Lee in which she relocated temporarily to Melbourne to do so. Ricki-Lee was given complete creative input into the albums evolution - she received hundreds of songs from publishers/songwriters from around the world. Working with some of the most distinguished producers and artists in the biz, the final line-up included names such as Audius Mtawarria, Israel, Nitty and Jarrad Rogers.

The first single Hell No! was recorded with studio genius Andy Baldwin (The Cat Empire) and written by Audius Mtawarira (Delta Goodrem, Paulini, Selwyn). The song stood out from the get-go, with the idea behind Hell No! being that it was unlike any previous Australian Idol release. The first single proved to be a major success, debuting at #5 on the ARIA charts, spending 3 weeks in the Top 10, remaining in the Top 40 for over 3 months...oh, and the single went Gold! The clip for Hell No! was shot in Melbourne by the ARIA Award winning Bart Borghesi and choreographed by William Forsythe, who has worked with artists such as Kylie Minogue.

Ricki-Lees Second Single Sunshine, which debuted at #14 and went ARIA Top Ten within weeks, is a track that has proven itself time and time again. It could still be seen floating around the ARIA top 40 after four-months in the charts. Sunshine reached #1 on the CHR radio airplay chart, #9 on the Hot 100 chart (most played song on radio) and #3 on the most played Australian Artist airplay chart. The track has become a favourite across several networks, with audiences consistently putting it at the top of request charts. Sunshine too went Gold, clearly establishing Coulters hit making credentials.

Now back on the Gold Coast and engaged to long-term boyfriend, Jamie Babbington, Ricki-Lee is flat-out promoting her album. With third single Breathe having debuted on the charts at #17, one might think there is much to celebrate in Ricki-Lees busy world! Ricki-Lee, the self-titled album, features her three smash hit singles, Hell No!, Sunshine and Breathe. Ricki-Lee also toured the country as part of The Young Divas after the success of their first single 'This Time I Know Its For Real'.

'BRAND NEW DAY' ALBUM
Its time to turn a new page as Ricki-Lee delivers a STUNNING new chapter in her career with her second solo release, Brand New Day. The album is, in Ricki-Lees own words a personal, retrospective piecing together of the past two years of my life personally and professionally. In Brand New Day, Ricki-Lee candidly invites her audience to share in her most private feelings about her relationships with friends, family and the occasional detractor.

Having discovered a natural aptitude for song-writing in the process of working on her debut album, Ricki-Lee embarked on a two-month writing trip incorporating London, New York and Los Angeles and has developed her writing abilities such that 10 of the 12 tracks on the album bear her name as co-writer. She worked very closely with producers from around the world on arrangements and oversaw all the fi nal mixes with Tony Espie at Sing Sing Studios Melbourne. Ricki-Lee has poured her heart and soul into Brand New Day this truly is her album from the opening bars to the closing refrain.

Of course, the creation of this very international sounding album has only been made possible with the support from some of the biggest names in the world music arena. KNS (Britney Spears, Gia Farrell, Backstreet Boys, 50 Cent), David Gamson & Marc Nelkin (Madonna, Chakra Khan, Luther Vandross), Jarrad Rogers (Delta Goodrem, Guy Sebastian), Vince Pizzinga (Delta Goodrem, Anthony Callea, Wyclef Jean) and Pete Martin & Andy Love (Sugababes, Big Brovaz) are some of those who have helped to create this classic album. Ricki-Lees Australian writing ties remain strong with this album, as she continues to work with some of Australias foremost producers including Andrew De Silva (Tina Arena, Marcia Hines, The Rockmelons), Audius Mtawarira (Delta Goodrem, Paulini) and Glenn Cunningham (Human Nature, Shannon Noll, Jimmy Barnes).

The overall sound of Brand New Day is eclectic, warm and organic, with a strong live instrumental presence. The feel is personal, empowering and uplifting. All of the tracks on Brand New Day have their own unique sound, expressing Ricki-Lees diverse musical range. However, there is no doubt that collectively; whether it be a pop anthem, club track or power-ballad; ALL these elements work together to create a powerful storyboard for Ricki-Lees narrative.

Ricki-Lee works her magic with her first single, Cant Touch It. The super sexy, pop/club style track, written under the infl uence of the unrelenting pace of New York, kicks in with exhilarating drums and delivers vocal attitude throughout, leaving nothing to the imagination with this sexy reveal of flirtation and playfulness. The pace is maintained with the frenetic antics of Cant Sing a Different Song and the uplifting chorus of Love Is All Around. If its time to catch your breath then take part in some sky-gazing with the sweet soul of Like Clouds or cruise along to the reggae dancehall groove of Real Cool Time. The funky Motown vibe of Take Me To a Place provides toe tapping licks n kicks in all the right places. Ricki-Lees personal, intimate side comes to the fore with I Appreciate You a compelling and moving ballad written about Ricki-Lees childhood and her relationship with her other; Alone No More which talks about isolation as part of life on the road and the sacrifi ces made to achieve ones dream; Its Just Life where Ricki-Lee, discovers the power of self-belief; and the rich tapestry of love in the beautiful ballad, Melody Of Life. Brand New Day the albums title track is a joyous, uplifting celebration of new beginnings. Overall, the message of Brand New Day in true Ricki-Lee spirit is an inspirational one. The songs are stories of personal growth, self-belief, abandonment of regret, the importance of love and friendship and the exciting possibilities of new beginnings


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