Melissa VanFleet

Melissa VanFleet
Melissa VanFleet performing at the Trocadero Theatre in September 2014
Background information
Birth name Melissa Ann VanFleet
Born (1986-02-08) February 8, 1986
Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, United States
Genres Alternative music, alternative metal, acoustic
Occupation(s) Singer, songwriter, pianist, multi-instrumentalist, producer
Instruments Vocals, piano, guitar, harmonica
Years active 2011-present
Associated acts COPPÉLIA, W.A.S.P.
Website http://www.melissavanfleet.com

Melissa Ann VanFleet (born February 8, 1986) is an American singer/songwriter and musician from Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. She is also the vocalist in the electronic music duo COPPÉLIA.[1]

She has toured internationally and appeared on the Full Metal Cruise II presented by Wacken Open Air in April 2015.[2] She has garnered attention among the heavy metal music community for her acoustic piano version of American heavy metal band W.A.S.P.'s song "Sleeping (In The Fire)" on YouTube.[3] Her vocals have been compared to Adele, Alanis Morissette and Amy Lee.[4][5]

Early life

Melissa VanFleet was born February 8, 1986 in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. She sang her first solo, Bob Dylan's "Blowin' In The Wind", when she was in third grade and completed her first studio recording at the age of 12.[6] VanFleet is a self-taught vocalist and pianist.[6] She is also a trained dancer in all styles.[1][7]

Career

VanFleet recorded and co-produced a five-song EP, "Stars In My Eyes", which was released on September 25, 2012 on iTunes and all major online music retailers.[8] A portion of all proceeds from "Stars In My Eyes" was donated to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence. The EP featured a bonus acoustic version of her award-winning song "Martyr".[4]

In November 2012, after catching the attention of American rock band Incubus with her piano cover version of one of their songs, she appeared as a guest on "Renman Live", Incubus manager Steve Rennie's web show about the music business.[9][10][11]

VanFleet recorded a piano cover version of American heavy metal band W.A.S.P.'s ballad "Sleeping (In The Fire)" in 2012. She originally recorded the cover as a birthday present for her dad and then posted the video on YouTube.[12] VanFleet has received acclaim from present and past members of W.A.S.P., including co-founder and original guitarist Randy Piper and present lead guitarist Doug Blair.[13]

In 2013 and 2014, VanFleet performed at various venues including Musikfest in her hometown of Bethlehem, House of Vans in Brooklyn, New York, Webster Hall and had several long-term residencies at Hard Rock Cafe Philadelphia.[10] She began working with booking and management company Noisegate Productions, based in Germany. She debuted as the vocalist of electronic music duo COPPÉLIA at the Trocadero Theatre in September 2014.[10]

In April 2015, VanFleet went on tour in Spain.[7][14] She also performed on the Full Metal Cruise II, presented by German music promoter Wacken Open Air, alongside Blaze Bayley, DORO, Hammerfall, Axxis and more.[15] Her debut LP Metal Lullabies was released on August 19, 2015.[1][16] She performed at Musikfest in August 2015 to promote the album release and was named #1 of "7 Stellar Acts at Martin Guitar Lyrikplatz".[5]

In 2016, VanFleet revealed to Ultimate Guitar that she was collaborating with Scott Rockenfield of Queensryche, Doug Blair of W.A.S.P. and Nick Douglas of DORO on her forthcoming single "Ode To The Dark".[17][18]

Discography

Studio Albums

Extended Plays

Original Music Videos

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Melissa VanFleet nos presenta en Madrid: Metal Lullabies". lacajadmusica.org. April 16, 2015. Retrieved June 22, 2016.
  2. ↑ "Wacken Full Metal Cruise II: Beyond The Black und Melissa VanFleet auf der Full Metal Cruise II mit an bord". full-metal-cruise.com. March 2, 2015. Retrieved March 11, 2015.
  3. ↑ "Sleeping (In The Fire) - Melissa VanFleet (W.A.S.P. cover) on YouTube". youtube.com. July 27, 2012. Retrieved June 22, 2016.
  4. 1 2 Mair, Donna (February 25, 2013). "Melissa VanFleet Has Stars in her Eyes - Nightmair Creative". nightmaircreative.com. Retrieved June 22, 2016.
  5. 1 2 Gorrie, Nick (August 5, 2015). "7 Stellar Acts at Martin Guitar Lyrikplatz". musikfest.org. Retrieved August 7, 2015.
  6. 1 2 Mathias, Madeleine (May 6, 2010). "Melissa VanFleet, of Bethlehem, trying to win role in Broadway musical 'Chicago'". lehighvalleylive.com. Retrieved November 16, 2013.
  7. 1 2 "esRadio: Melissa VanFleet, la voz de Philadelphia". libertaddigital.com. April 13, 2015. Retrieved April 14, 2015.
  8. ↑ Riordan, Carol (October 18, 2012). "MELISSA VANFLEET - Guest on Butterflies Radio". butterfliesradio.com. Retrieved November 16, 2014.
  9. ↑ Holleran, Tamsin (April 4, 2013). "Behind The Music: An Interview with Steve Rennie". secretsoundshop.com. Retrieved June 22, 2016.
  10. 1 2 3 "M PIRE Magazine - May 2015 Issue". m-piremagazine.com. May 1, 2015. Retrieved May 2, 2015.
  11. ↑ Rennie, Steve. "Live Guests: Melissa VanFleet on Renman Music & Business". renmanmb.com. Retrieved June 22, 2016.
  12. ↑ "An Interview with Singer/Songwriter Melissa VanFleet - POP VULTURE Magazine". popvulturemag.com. July 1, 2014. Retrieved August 20, 2014.
  13. ↑ Piper, Randy (July 26, 2013). "AMAZING rendition of W.A.S.P. - 'Sleeping In The Fire'". Retrieved June 22, 2016.
  14. ↑ "esMADRIDmagazine Abril 2015". esmadrid.com. April 1, 2015. Retrieved April 7, 2015.
  15. ↑ "Wacken Full Metal Cruise II: Day 1". full-metal-cruise.com. April 12, 2015. Retrieved April 20, 2015.
  16. ↑ "El talento de Melissa VanFleet brilla en España". myipop.net. April 12, 2015. Retrieved June 22, 2016.
  17. ↑ Beckner, Justin (May 26, 2016). "Meet Melissa VanFleet Who Progressed From Making Metal Covers on YouTube to Working With Big Names". ultimate-guitar.com. Retrieved June 1, 2016.
  18. ↑ Virmakari, Tarja (June 5, 2016). "Melissa VanFleet's Forthcoming Single "Ode To The Dark" To Feature Douglas Blair (W.A.S.P), Scott Rockenfield (QUEENSRŸCHE) And Nick Douglas (DORO)". metalshockfinland.com. Retrieved June 5, 2016.

External links

This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the 11/26/2016. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.