Diana Vickers
Encyclopedia
Diana Vickers is an English singer-songwriter, stage actress and fashion designer who initially came to public attention as a semi-finalist on the fifth series
of British talent show The X Factor
in 2008. In January 2009 Vickers signed a record deal with RCA Records
and after touring with her fellow finalists from The X Factor until March 2009, began work on her debut album, Songs from the Tainted Cherry Tree
, until September 2009.
From October 2009 to January 2010 Vickers played the title role in a West End revival of The Rise and Fall of Little Voice
for which she won the award for "London Newcomer of the Year" at the Theatregoers' Choice Award
s. Vickers' debut single, "Once
", charted at number one on the UK Singles Chart
after its release on 19 April 2010 and has sold over 210,000 copies in the United Kingdom. Vickers' debut album was released on 3 May 2010 in the United Kingdom achieving number one status on the UK Albums Chart
, number seven on the Irish Albums Chart
and number four on the European Top 100 Albums
, and has been certified Gold by the BPI
. Songs from the Tainted Cherry Tree went on to sell over 200,000 copies in the United Kingdom.
Her second single, "The Boy Who Murdered Love
", charted at number 36 on the UK Singles Chart. This was followed by her third single, "My Wicked Heart
", which was released on 17 October 2010 digitally and on 1 November 2010 physically. "My Wicked Heart" peaked at number 13 on the UK Singles Chart, making it Vickers' third consecutive Top 40 single. Vickers performed the track live on The X Factor results show
on 17 October 2010.
Vickers' musical career has been commercially successful thus far, with total sales of over 500,000 records in the UK alone for her three singles and debut album. Vickers is currently co-writing material for a second album, which is planned for release in 2012. In May 2011 Vickers unveiled her debut fashion line
for Very.co.uk titled "Dee V" reinforcing her signature quirky fashion sense. Vickers' distinctive and unique boho-chic
approach to fashion has achieved industry praise from prestigious fashion magazines including Grazia
, Look, and Harpers Bazaar. In September 2011 it was publicised that Vickers would be going into partnership with make-up and cosmetic range, Collection 2000 to be the face for their autumn and winter 2011 capsule line to be sold in Boots
and Superdrug
stores from 28 September 2011.
On 30 June 2011 Vickers announced via her official Tumblr
blog that she had parted company with her label, RCA Records
, by mutual consent for purely creative reasons. On 28 July 2011 Vickers announced on a Ustream
web chat that she would be releasing a downloadable EP before the end of 2011 to showcase a sample of her second era of music. On 5 September 2011 Vickers' manager Annecka Griffiths at Modest! Management confirmed that Vickers was still unsigned and that a new record deal would be sought upon completion of her second album.
near Accrington
. When Vickers reached the age of 16 she originally planned to study hard for her A Levels and either attend drama school or travel to Thailand
to find herself. She studied for A Levels in Theatre Studies
, Classics
and Psychology
at Westholme School
in Blackburn. Vickers has been singing since the age of 11, taking singing lessons and participating in local competitions, but had never sung professionally.
of The X Factor
, singing "The Blower's Daughter" by Damien Rice
where Louis Walsh
commented that she resembled a "little hippie
" eventually making it to the live shows. Vickers was selected for the live shows and was mentored by Cheryl Cole
along with fellow competitors, Alexandra Burke
and Laura White.
Vickers' live show performances were often unconventional, attracting both praise and criticism. Judge Simon Cowell
likened her to Marmite
, saying fans would either love or hate her unusual singing style, stating that he "loved it".
On her first live show Vickers sang U2
's "With or Without You
". Vickers then covered Michael Jackson
's "Man in the Mirror
", for which she received nothing but praise with Dannii Minogue
describing it as "box fresh" and Simon Cowell remarking she was "the one to beat". The following week Vickers performed Charlie Chaplin
's "Smile" which again received much praise and the judges were even more impressed with her version of Blondie's "Call Me
".
In week 5 of the live show stages Vickers missed the live show without performing following a bout of laryngitis
. She had wanted to perform the Mariah Carey
song "Always Be My Baby
" up until a few hours before the show, but her doctor advised her not to, saying Vickers could do permanent damage to her vocal cords. This is the first time the producers have ever excused any act from performing.
In week six Vickers returned to the programme performing Coldplay
's "Yellow", which received a negative reaction from the judges; Dannii Minogue commented that she did not "love the song choice", while Cowell suggested Vickers was still not well enough to perform. In week seven Vickers performed Take That
's "Patience
" commenting that she felt one hundred percent once again and hoped to deliver her best performance to date. During the show, guest Gary Barlow
offered to sign her if Cowell did not, to which Cowell responded, "We will not be accepting Gary Barlow's kind offer for a recording contract. Leona [Lewis
] has done fine with me, thank you Gary."
In the week nine semi finals of the competition, Vickers performed Avril Lavigne
's "Girlfriend
" as her first song and received excellent comments from all the judges, including Cheryl Cole's comment that "she had got that sparkle back". Vickers followed this with Dido
's "White Flag" but was subsequently voted out of the competition, resulting in one of the most emotional eliminations in X-Factor history; towards the end of her final performance, Quigg, Burke & JLS all rushed onto the stage for one last tearful hug.
Vickers was the bookies' favourite to win the competition from the second live show for seven consecutive weeks. She was eliminated in the semi-final (week nine), achieving fourth place overall. Following the end of the series, she went on tour with the rest of the final eight contestants on The X Factor Live tour between February and March 2009. While on the show, her trademark was to perform in her bare feet. Vickers additionally gained national attention for her hand gestures on stage coining the nickname "The Claw".
After The X Factor
it was initially announced that Vickers would be signed by Sony Music under the Syco
label along with JLS
and Eoghan Quigg
but this plan for her to join Syco was later dropped. Instead, she signed to Sony Music's RCA Records
. She began work on her debut album, Songs from the Tainted Cherry Tree, in January 2009, commenting that it would not be rushed and that it would be "Diana style". She worked with Cathy Dennis
, Eg White
, Nerina Pallot
, Ellie Goulding
, Cass Lowe, Guy Sigsworth
, Chris Braide
, Savan Kotecha
, Starsmith
, Alexis Strum
, Patrick Wolf
and Dev Hynes aka Lightspeed Champion
.
" was written by Cathy Dennis
and Eg White
and produced by Mike Spencer
. The track was released in the United Kingdom on 19 April 2010, after it was playlisted on Radio 1
and the music video premiered via Channel 4's Freshly Squeezed
music programme. On 22 April 2010 Vickers performed an acoustic version of "Once" and a cover of Snow Patrol's
"Just Say Yes" on Radio 1's Live Lounge. On 25 April 2010 "Once" entered the UK Singles Chart at number one selling approximately 70,000 copies in its first week of release. In March 2010 Vickers' first leg of the Songs from the Tainted Cherry Tree Tour
took place, during which she showcased material from the album.
On 15 April 2010 plans for Vickers' second single were confirmed. "The Boy Who Murdered Love" was written and produced by Chris Braide
at his studio in London, with lyric contribution from Vickers. The video for the second single was shot in the week commencing 26 April 2010 in London. Vickers embarked on the second leg of her UK Tour in May 2010 promoting her newly released album, Songs From The Tainted Cherry Tree
, which on 9 May 2010 charted at number one on the UK Albums Chart
selling approximately 36,000 copies in its first week of release. On 25 July 2010 the album
returned to the upper reaches of the UK Albums Chart, rising 29 places from number 42 to number 13.
On 23 May 2010 Vickers performed an acoustic version of "The Boy Who Murdered Love" and Biffy Clyro
's "Many of Horror" at Radio 1's Big Weekend. Vickers released her second single, "The Boy Who Murdered Love
", on 18 July 2010 and it peaked at number 36 on the UK Singles Chart.
Vickers' performed "Once", "The Boy Who Murdered Love" and debut album tracks "N.U.M.B" and "Notice" for a live session for MTV. On 28 July 2010 iTunes released an exclusive EP of Vickers performing at the 2010 iTunes Festival. It included singles "Once", "The Boy Who Murdered Love", album tracks "Notice", "My Hip", a cover of Snow Patrol
's "Just Say Yes", but did not include album track "Put It Back Together" nor "You'll Never Get to Heaven", which she also performed.
Vickers appeared at many festivals throughout Summer 2010, including the 2010 V Festival
, The Live Lounge Stage at Radio 1's Big Weekend 2010, Stoke Festival, T4 on the Beach
, T in the Park
, 2010 Oxygen Festival, iTunes Festival
, 2010 Sundae Festival and 2010 Freedom Festival, promoting her debut album. Vickers also supported Mika
at the Eden Sessions in 2010.
On 31 August 2010 Vickers participated in a live Ustream
video chat in which she confirmed that her third single would be a brand new track titled "My Wicked Heart" co-written by Vickers and songwriters Dee Adams and James Earp and also produced by them. The track features Vickers playing the trumpet. The single received its first radio play on 12 September 2010 by Tom Deacon on The 5:19 Show
. "My Wicked Heart" was digitally released on 17 October 2010 and physically released on 7 November 2010. The video for "My Wicked Heart
" premiered on ITV2 at 6.55 pm on 2 October 2010; it features Vickers in a circus tent with gymnasts and drummer boys.
On 16 October 2010 it was reported that Red Hot Chili Peppers
was considering legal action over similarities between the chorus of the band's well known song "Under The Bridge
" and "My Wicked Heart". Vickers admitted in an interview that she had been listening to "Under The Bridge" shortly before working on "My Wicked Heart" and had noticed but decided to ignore the similarities. On 17 October 2010 Vickers returned to The X Factor stage, two years after she was last there, to perform "My Wicked Heart".
In an interview with Digital Spy
she announced the possibility of "Songs from the Tainted Cherry Tree
" getting a solely digital download re-release. She also stated "I've been writing so much and got so many tracks under my belt. I think I'm very close to ready for the second album actually." Vickers embarked on a UK radio tour to promote "My Wicked Heart", which started on 18 October 2010 and ended on 24 October 2010. On 24 October "My Wicked Heart" charted at number 13 on the UK Singles Chart, number 12 on the Scottish Singles Chart and number 22 on the Irish Singles Chart selling 50,000 copies to date. Vickers' fourth leg of the Songs from the Tainted Cherry Tree Tour
began on 8 November 2010, touring the UK and for the first time, Ireland where Vickers showcased "More Than This", a previously unheard track, to promote her second album.
, The Doors
, Siouxsie and the Banshees and Bjork
. Vickers has co-written material with Nerina Pallot
(who penned "Put It Back Together" for Vickers' debut album), Eg White
(who co-wrote "Once
"), Starsmith
, Chris Braide
and Dee Adam (who co-wrote "My Wicked Heart
" with Vickers). On 6 January 2011 Vickers travelled to Los Angeles, United States, to co-write material with John Shanks
and Diane Warren
. On 15 January 2011 Vickers played her debut gig in the United States at Cherry Pop in West Hollywood promoted via Perez Hilton
.
On 11 March 2011, it was announced that Vickers has been collaborating with Starsailor
front-man James Walsh
indicating a heavier and rockier direction for her second album. Vickers made a second visit to Los Angeles on 14 March 2011, to do further studio work with John Shanks.
On 30 June 2011, Vickers revealed on her official Tumblr account that she had parted company with RCA Records due to creative differences. She went on further to assure her fans that the second album is still proceeding and that she is proud of it. It was uncertain whether Vickers would be signed to a new record label or would release her album independently. It was later confirmed on 5 September 2011 by Vickers' manager Annecka Griffiths at Modest! Management that a new record deal would be sought upon completion of her second album.
On 1 July 2011, it was uncovered that the mutual separation between Vickers and her management was due to musical direction where Vickers wants to pursue a more indie, less-commercial route.
On 13 July 2011, Popjustice
reviewed three tracks from Vickers' second album titled, "Boy In Paris", "Cinderella" and "Music To Make The Boys Cry" commenting that the songwriting standard was extremely high and that, "the tunes – the melodies – are huge". The article presented how the three tracks were a result of studio sessions with Donkeyboy
and Miranda Cooper
. Popjustice confirmed that the new material would be released in 2012.
On 28 July 2011, Vickers announced via a Ustream
web chat that she would be releasing a downloadable EP before the end of 2011 to showcase a sample of her second era of music. Vickers confirmed that she has recorded over thirty tracks for her new album to be released early next year. As they cannot all feature on the album, a taster EP will be available to download over the coming months. A release date is yet to be confirmed for the EP. On 12 August 2011 it was unveiled that Vickers had collaborated with MNEK
where the British record producer tweeted
that "pop gems" had been made as a result of their studio sessions.
A demo song called 'Somewhere Bound' by artist Neilzzo, is rumoured to have been given to Vickers. The demo version is on YouTube.
and Jennifer Lopez
single "Mouth 2 Mouth" for Iglesias's reissue album Euphoria Reloaded.
's The Rise and Fall of Little Voice
on 8 October 2009 at the Vaudeville Theatre
, on The Strand, London
. She played Little Voice, who hides a talent as an impersonator of singers such as Shirley Bassey
, Edith Piaf
and Judy Garland
.
Mark Owen
of Take That
wrote "Sunlight", the final song in the play for Vickers to sing. "Sunlight" was featured as a B-Side for her debut single, "Once". Vickers took a break from recording her debut album to star in the production. Vickers' performance received more positive reviews than any other show of that year.
Vickers' performance received a good review in The Guardian
in which they said that "[Vickers'] singing is impressive, we were surprised at her vocal abilities." Her stint was deemed "magical" in The Daily Telegraph
. Quentin Letts of the Daily Mail
also gave a positive review of Vickers' performance. She won the Whatsonstage.com Theatregoers' Choice Award
"London Newcomer of the Year" in February 2010 for her performance, with 34.5% of the vote out of 7 other competitors.
and synth-based songs with full band backing. Her musical style has been compared to Kate Bush
, Ellie Goulding
, Dido
, and Dolores O'Riordan
. Vickers additionally showcases a quirky and idiosyncratic style of singing often described as breathy, raspy and hiccupy. Vickers has cited an array of influences including Florence + The Machine, Kate Bush
, Regina Spektor
, Mariah Carey
, Kings of Leon
, Frou Frou, Sinéad O'Connor
and The Sundays
. Vickers commented on her musical style and career saying:
Discussing the musical style of her forthcoming second album, Vickers declared that she had been inspired by indie and rock music to experiment with different sounds. Vickers has stated that the music of The xx
, The Doors
, Siouxsie and the Banshees and Björk
has influenced her latest work.
and hippie-influenced
appearance. Vickers' trademark style includes messy, back-combed "bird's nest" hair and vintage
inspired clothing where she is often seen wearing outfits from London's Brick Lane, Camden and Beyond Retro. Vickers' fashion icons are Brigitte Bardot
and Marilyn Monroe
. Vickers has encouraged dedicated fashion blogs documenting her latest attire and has been labelled a fashionista
in the making by Grazia
. On 29 October 2009 Vickers was awarded "Fashionista of the Week" in The Guardian
and on 3 June 2010, Vickers was nominated for "Best Dressed Woman of The Year" at The Clothes Show Style Awards 2010.
and emphasises Vickers' uniquely iconic style. On 1 September 2011 Vickers tweeted
that a further collection was designed for her "Dee V" for Very range exclusively for the Christmas
period which went on sale from September 2011. A faux-fur knitted dress and a leather biker jacket were among Vickers' Christmas statement pieces.
and Superdrug
stores in the United Kingdom from 28 September 2011. As part of the campaign, Vickers ran a competition on her blog to win a bag full of Collection 2000 products.
frontman, George Craig
. In July 2011 Vickers gave an interview in which she revealed how they got together: "We chatted at a party, then he tried to woo me. He was very persistent for about three months, sending me lovely texts. Then we were at another party, he picked up a guitar, we got talking and that was it."
for a charity performance in aid of Teenage Cancer Trust
at the Royal Albert Hall
in London to raise money for teenagers who are suffering from cancer. In July 2010 Vickers performed at a charity event "Give Tilly a Hand", helping to raise funds in a charity evening for meningitis
victim Tilly Lockley. For anti-bullying week 2010 in the UK, Vickers uploaded a video to her official website encouraging young people to stand up to bullies. In August 2010 Vickers wrote a column in The Sun newspaper opposing the use of drugs and legal highs after witnessing disturbing effects of people "out of control" at the UK summer festival circuit warning that, "just because a drug is legal, you cannot assume it is safe." In an interview with Now Magazine Vickers announced that since rising to fame she has been offered drugs but will always say no to them concluding, "I've never tried them [drugs] and I'm very proud of that." On 28 September 2010 Vickers played an intimate gig as part of the month long "Oxjam Festival" which raised money in support of charity Oxfam
.
On 10 March 2011 Vickers launched an eBay
competition accredited on behalf of Comic Relief
which encouraged people to place bids where the highest bidder at the end of the charity auction wins Vickers as a Twitter "best friend". The winning bidder gets followed and regularly mentioned on the social networking website by Vickers over a 90-day period where proceeds from the winning bid raises money for Red Nose Day to help vulnerable, poor and disadvantaged people in the UK and Africa.
The X Factor (UK series 5)
The fifth UK series of The X Factor was broadcast on ITV in 2008. The series started on 16 August and was won by Alexandra Burke on 13 December, with new judge Cheryl Cole emerging as the winning mentor. Auditions in front of producers were held in April/May, with callbacks in front of the judges...
of British talent show The X Factor
The X Factor (UK)
The X Factor is a British television music competition to find new singing talent. Created by Simon Cowell, it began in September 2004 and is contested by aspiring singers drawn from public auditions. It is the originator of the international X Factor franchise. The seven series of the show to date...
in 2008. In January 2009 Vickers signed a record deal with RCA Records
RCA Records
RCA Records is one of the flagship labels of Sony Music Entertainment. The RCA initials stand for Radio Corporation of America , which was the parent corporation from 1929 to 1985 and a partner from 1985 to 1986.RCA's Canadian unit is Sony's oldest label...
and after touring with her fellow finalists from The X Factor until March 2009, began work on her debut album, Songs from the Tainted Cherry Tree
Songs from the Tainted Cherry Tree
Upon its release, Songs from the Tainted Cherry Tree generated mixed reviews from music critics. Mayer Nissim of Digital Spy awarded the album five out of five stars, stating that Vickers and her collaborators "have crafted an album that's drenched in accessible pop melodies while never sacrificing...
, until September 2009.
From October 2009 to January 2010 Vickers played the title role in a West End revival of The Rise and Fall of Little Voice
The Rise and Fall of Little Voice
The Rise and Fall of Little Voice is a 1992 play written by English dramatist Jim Cartwright. Sam Mendes directed stars Jane Horrocks and Alison Steadman at the Royal National Theatre before transferring to the Aldwych Theatre in London's West End....
for which she won the award for "London Newcomer of the Year" at the Theatregoers' Choice Award
Theatregoers' Choice Award
The Whatsonstage.com Theatregoers' Choice Awards are organised by the theatre website Whatsonstage.com and recognise the performers and productions of British theatre with emphasis on London's West End. Nominations and eventual winners are selected by the theatre-going public....
s. Vickers' debut single, "Once
Once (Diana Vickers song)
"Once" is a song by the British singer-songwriter Diana Vickers, written by Cathy Dennis and Eg White for Vickers' studio album Songs from the Tainted Cherry Tree. "Once" was produced and mixed by Mike Spencer and released as the album's lead single and Vickers' debut single in the United Kingdom...
", charted at number one on the UK Singles Chart
UK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
after its release on 19 April 2010 and has sold over 210,000 copies in the United Kingdom. Vickers' debut album was released on 3 May 2010 in the United Kingdom achieving number one status on the UK Albums Chart
UK Albums Chart
The UK Albums Chart is a list of albums ranked by physical and digital sales in the United Kingdom. It is compiled every week by The Official Charts Company and broadcast on a Sunday on BBC Radio 1 , and published in Music Week magazine and on the OCC website .To qualify for the UK albums chart...
, number seven on the Irish Albums Chart
Irish Albums Chart
The Irish Albums Chart is the Irish music industry standard albums popularity chart issued weekly by the Irish Recorded Music Association and compiled on its behalf by Chart-Track. Chart rankings are based on sales, which are compiled through over-the-counter retail data captured electronically...
and number four on the European Top 100 Albums
European Top 100 Albums
The European Top 100 Albums chart is the European adaptation of the Billboard 200 albums chart. It was created in March 1984.The European Top 100 Albums, commonly referred to as Eurochart Top 100 Albums shows the sales of an act in 19 European countries based on IFPI data.The European Top 100...
, and has been certified Gold by the BPI
British Phonographic Industry
The British Phonographic Industry is the British record industry's trade association.-Structure:Its membership comprises hundreds of music companies including all four "major" record companies , associate members such as manufacturers and distributors, and hundreds of independent music companies...
. Songs from the Tainted Cherry Tree went on to sell over 200,000 copies in the United Kingdom.
Her second single, "The Boy Who Murdered Love
The Boy Who Murdered Love
"The Boy Who Murdered Love" is a song written by Diana Vickers and Chris Braide and recorded by Vickers for her debut album Songs from the Tainted Cherry Tree. The song was released as the album's second single as a digital download on 18 July 2010 with the CD single released the following day. The...
", charted at number 36 on the UK Singles Chart. This was followed by her third single, "My Wicked Heart
My Wicked Heart
"My Wicked Heart" is a song co-written and co-produced by English singer-songwriter Diana Vickers. It was supposedly released as the lead single from the re-release of her debut album, but plans were scrapped and it was revealed "My Wicked Heart" would serve as the first single from her upcoming...
", which was released on 17 October 2010 digitally and on 1 November 2010 physically. "My Wicked Heart" peaked at number 13 on the UK Singles Chart, making it Vickers' third consecutive Top 40 single. Vickers performed the track live on The X Factor results show
The X Factor (UK series 7)
The X Factor is a British television music competition to find new singing talent; the winner of which receives a £1 million recording contract with the Syco Music record label. The seventh series started on ITV on 21 August 2010 and ended on 12 December 2010. The winner was Matt Cardle and...
on 17 October 2010.
Vickers' musical career has been commercially successful thus far, with total sales of over 500,000 records in the UK alone for her three singles and debut album. Vickers is currently co-writing material for a second album, which is planned for release in 2012. In May 2011 Vickers unveiled her debut fashion line
Fashion line
A fashion line is a clothing subsidiary that designs and sells garments according to a specific ethos, often only slightly different than the company's flagship brand. A single designer or creative director will often be in charge of many lines, each presenting a different take on the company or...
for Very.co.uk titled "Dee V" reinforcing her signature quirky fashion sense. Vickers' distinctive and unique boho-chic
Boho-chic
Boho-chic is a style of female fashion drawing on various bohemian and hippie influences, which, at its height in 2004-5, was associated particularly with actress Sienna Miller and model Kate Moss in the United Kingdom and actresses Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen and Nicole Richie in the United States...
approach to fashion has achieved industry praise from prestigious fashion magazines including Grazia
Grazia
Grazia is an Italian weekly women's fashion and celebrity gossip magazine, with international editions printed in France, Serbia, Australia, United Kingdom, Greece, Portugal, Japan, the Netherlands, India, Bulgaria and Germany....
, Look, and Harpers Bazaar. In September 2011 it was publicised that Vickers would be going into partnership with make-up and cosmetic range, Collection 2000 to be the face for their autumn and winter 2011 capsule line to be sold in Boots
Boots UK
Boots UK Limited , is a leading pharmacy chain in the United Kingdom, with outlets in most high streets throughout the country...
and Superdrug
Superdrug
Superdrug Stores PLC is Britain's second-largest beauty and health retailer behind Boots. Superdrug - part of the AS Watson Group which in turn is part of the Hong Kong conglomerate Hutchison Whampoa - is a UK based company with over 890 stores, which since 2006, includes the Republic of Ireland...
stores from 28 September 2011.
On 30 June 2011 Vickers announced via her official Tumblr
Tumblr
Tumblr is a website and microblogging platform that allows users to post text, images, videos, links, quotes and audio to their tumblelog, a short-form blog. Users can follow other users, or choose to make their tumblelog private. The service emphasizes ease of use. The site ranks as the 10th...
blog that she had parted company with her label, RCA Records
RCA Records
RCA Records is one of the flagship labels of Sony Music Entertainment. The RCA initials stand for Radio Corporation of America , which was the parent corporation from 1929 to 1985 and a partner from 1985 to 1986.RCA's Canadian unit is Sony's oldest label...
, by mutual consent for purely creative reasons. On 28 July 2011 Vickers announced on a Ustream
Ustream
Ustream is a website which consists of a network of diverse channels providing a platform for lifecasting and live video streaming of events online. Established in March 2007, the site has over 2,000,000 registered users who generate 1,500,000+ hours of live streamed content per month with over ten...
web chat that she would be releasing a downloadable EP before the end of 2011 to showcase a sample of her second era of music. On 5 September 2011 Vickers' manager Annecka Griffiths at Modest! Management confirmed that Vickers was still unsigned and that a new record deal would be sought upon completion of her second album.
Early life
Vickers was born in Blackburn, Lancashire, England and grew up in the village of HuncoatHuncoat
Huncoat is a small village in Lancashire, England; situated in the North West. It is located to the east of Accrington.Huncoat railway station is on the East Lancashire Line.-Origins:...
near Accrington
Accrington
Accrington is a town in Lancashire, within the borough of Hyndburn. It lies about east of Blackburn, west of Burnley, north of Manchester city centre and is situated on the mostly culverted River Hyndburn...
. When Vickers reached the age of 16 she originally planned to study hard for her A Levels and either attend drama school or travel to Thailand
Thailand
Thailand , officially the Kingdom of Thailand , formerly known as Siam , is a country located at the centre of the Indochina peninsula and Southeast Asia. It is bordered to the north by Burma and Laos, to the east by Laos and Cambodia, to the south by the Gulf of Thailand and Malaysia, and to the...
to find herself. She studied for A Levels in Theatre Studies
Theatre studies
Theatre studies is the study of theatrical performance in relation to its literary, physical, psycho-biological, sociological, and historical contexts. It is an interdisciplinary field which also encompasses the study of theatrical aesthetics and semiotics...
, Classics
Classics
Classics is the branch of the Humanities comprising the languages, literature, philosophy, history, art, archaeology and other culture of the ancient Mediterranean world ; especially Ancient Greece and Ancient Rome during Classical Antiquity Classics (sometimes encompassing Classical Studies or...
and Psychology
Psychology
Psychology is the study of the mind and behavior. Its immediate goal is to understand individuals and groups by both establishing general principles and researching specific cases. For many, the ultimate goal of psychology is to benefit society...
at Westholme School
Westholme School
Westholme School is an independent school set on the edge of the countryside to the west of Blackburn, England, providing a caring learning environment for girls aged 2 to 18 and boys aged 2 to 11. There are five separate departments of the school which cater for students from nursery to sixth form...
in Blackburn. Vickers has been singing since the age of 11, taking singing lessons and participating in local competitions, but had never sung professionally.
2008–2009: The X Factor and record deal
In 2008 Vickers auditioned for the fifth seriesThe X Factor (UK series 5)
The fifth UK series of The X Factor was broadcast on ITV in 2008. The series started on 16 August and was won by Alexandra Burke on 13 December, with new judge Cheryl Cole emerging as the winning mentor. Auditions in front of producers were held in April/May, with callbacks in front of the judges...
of The X Factor
The X Factor (UK)
The X Factor is a British television music competition to find new singing talent. Created by Simon Cowell, it began in September 2004 and is contested by aspiring singers drawn from public auditions. It is the originator of the international X Factor franchise. The seven series of the show to date...
, singing "The Blower's Daughter" by Damien Rice
Damien Rice
Damien Rice is an Irish singer-songwriter, musician and record producer who plays guitar, piano, clarinet and percussion....
where Louis Walsh
Louis Walsh
Louis Walsh is an Irish music manager and judge on the British television talent show The X Factor.-Band manager:...
commented that she resembled a "little hippie
Hippie
The hippie subculture was originally a youth movement that arose in the United States during the mid-1960s and spread to other countries around the world. The etymology of the term 'hippie' is from hipster, and was initially used to describe beatniks who had moved into San Francisco's...
" eventually making it to the live shows. Vickers was selected for the live shows and was mentored by Cheryl Cole
Cheryl Cole
Cheryl Ann Cole is an English pop and R&B recording artist, songwriter, dancer, actress and model. She rose to fame in late 2002 when she auditioned for the reality television show Popstars: The Rivals on ITV. The programme announced that Cole had won a place as a member of the girl group, Girls...
along with fellow competitors, Alexandra Burke
Alexandra Burke
Alexandra Imelda Cecelia Ewen Burke is a British R&B and pop recording artist who rose to fame after winning the fifth series of British television series The X Factor in 2008...
and Laura White.
Vickers' live show performances were often unconventional, attracting both praise and criticism. Judge Simon Cowell
Simon Cowell
Simon Phillip Cowell is an English A&R executive, television producer, entrepreneur, and television personality. He is known in the United Kingdom and United States for his role as a talent judge on TV shows such as Pop Idol, The X Factor, Britain's Got Talent and American Idol...
likened her to Marmite
Marmite
Marmite is the name given to two similar food spreads: the original British version, first produced in the United Kingdom and later South Africa, and a version produced in New Zealand...
, saying fans would either love or hate her unusual singing style, stating that he "loved it".
On her first live show Vickers sang U2
U2
U2 are an Irish rock band from Dublin. Formed in 1976, the group consists of Bono , The Edge , Adam Clayton , and Larry Mullen, Jr. . U2's early sound was rooted in post-punk but eventually grew to incorporate influences from many genres of popular music...
's "With or Without You
With or Without You
"With or Without You" is a song by Irish rock band U2. It is the third track from their 1987 album, The Joshua Tree, and was released as the album's first single on 21 March 1987...
". Vickers then covered Michael Jackson
Michael Jackson
Michael Joseph Jackson was an American recording artist, entertainer, and businessman. Referred to as the King of Pop, or by his initials MJ, Jackson is recognized as the most successful entertainer of all time by Guinness World Records...
's "Man in the Mirror
Man in the Mirror
"Man in the Mirror" is a song recorded by Michael Jackson and written and composed by Glen Ballard and Siedah Garrett. It peaked at number one in the United States when released as a single in January 1988 off his seventh solo album, Bad. It is one of Jackson's most critically acclaimed songs and...
", for which she received nothing but praise with Dannii Minogue
Dannii Minogue
Danielle Jane "Dannii" Minogue is an Australian singer-songwriter, actress, television personality, radio personality, fashion designer and model...
describing it as "box fresh" and Simon Cowell remarking she was "the one to beat". The following week Vickers performed Charlie Chaplin
Charlie Chaplin
Sir Charles Spencer "Charlie" Chaplin, KBE was an English comic actor, film director and composer best known for his work during the silent film era. He became the most famous film star in the world before the end of World War I...
's "Smile" which again received much praise and the judges were even more impressed with her version of Blondie's "Call Me
Call Me (Blondie song)
"Call Me" is a song by the American new wave band Blondie. Released in 1980, "Call Me" topped the singles charts in both the US and the UK ....
".
In week 5 of the live show stages Vickers missed the live show without performing following a bout of laryngitis
Laryngitis
Laryngitis is an inflammation of the larynx. It causes hoarse voice or the complete loss of the voice because of irritation to the vocal folds . Dysphonia is the medical term for a vocal disorder, of which laryngitis is one cause....
. She had wanted to perform the Mariah Carey
Mariah Carey
Mariah Carey is an American singer-songwriter, record producer, and actress. She made her recording debut with the release of her eponymous studio album in 1990, under the guidance of Columbia Records executive Tommy Mottola, whom she later married in 1993...
song "Always Be My Baby
Always Be My Baby
"Always Be My Baby" is a song by American singer-songwriter Mariah Carey from her fifth studio album, Daydream. It was released by Columbia Records on March 9, 1996 as the third US single and fourth overall. The song was written by Carey, Jermaine Dupri and Manuel Seal, who also produced the song...
" up until a few hours before the show, but her doctor advised her not to, saying Vickers could do permanent damage to her vocal cords. This is the first time the producers have ever excused any act from performing.
In week six Vickers returned to the programme performing Coldplay
Coldplay
Coldplay are a British alternative rock band formed in 1996 by lead vocalist Chris Martin and lead guitarist Jonny Buckland at University College London. After they formed Pectoralz, Guy Berryman joined the group as a bassist and they changed their name to Starfish. Will Champion joined as a...
's "Yellow", which received a negative reaction from the judges; Dannii Minogue commented that she did not "love the song choice", while Cowell suggested Vickers was still not well enough to perform. In week seven Vickers performed Take That
Take That
Take That are a British five-piece vocal pop group comprising Gary Barlow, Howard Donald, Jason Orange, Mark Owen and Robbie Williams. Barlow acts as the lead singer and primary songwriter...
's "Patience
Patience (Take That song)
"Patience" is a song by British boy band Take That. It was released on 13 November 2006 as the first single from their comeback album Beautiful World...
" commenting that she felt one hundred percent once again and hoped to deliver her best performance to date. During the show, guest Gary Barlow
Gary Barlow
Gary Barlow is an English singer-songwriter, pianist and record producer. He is frontman and lead vocalist of pop group Take That and is currently the head judge on the eighth series of The X Factor. Barlow is one of Britain's most successful songwriters...
offered to sign her if Cowell did not, to which Cowell responded, "We will not be accepting Gary Barlow's kind offer for a recording contract. Leona [Lewis
Leona Lewis
Leona Louise Lewis is a British singer and songwriter. Lewis first came to prominence in 2006 when she won the third series of the British television series The X Factor....
] has done fine with me, thank you Gary."
In the week nine semi finals of the competition, Vickers performed Avril Lavigne
Avril Lavigne
Avril Ramona Lavigne is a Canadian singer-songwriter. She was born in Belleville, Ontario, but spent most of her youth in the small town of Napanee. By the age of 15, she had appeared on stage with Shania Twain; by 16, she had signed a two-album recording contract with Arista Records worth more...
's "Girlfriend
Girlfriend
Girlfriend is a term that can refer to either a female partner in a non-marital romantic relationship or a female non-romantic friend that is closer than other friends....
" as her first song and received excellent comments from all the judges, including Cheryl Cole's comment that "she had got that sparkle back". Vickers followed this with Dido
Dido
Dido was, according to ancient Greek and Roman sources, the founder and first Queen of Carthage . She is best known from the account given by the Roman poet Virgil in his Aeneid...
's "White Flag" but was subsequently voted out of the competition, resulting in one of the most emotional eliminations in X-Factor history; towards the end of her final performance, Quigg, Burke & JLS all rushed onto the stage for one last tearful hug.
Vickers was the bookies' favourite to win the competition from the second live show for seven consecutive weeks. She was eliminated in the semi-final (week nine), achieving fourth place overall. Following the end of the series, she went on tour with the rest of the final eight contestants on The X Factor Live tour between February and March 2009. While on the show, her trademark was to perform in her bare feet. Vickers additionally gained national attention for her hand gestures on stage coining the nickname "The Claw".
After The X Factor
The X Factor (UK)
The X Factor is a British television music competition to find new singing talent. Created by Simon Cowell, it began in September 2004 and is contested by aspiring singers drawn from public auditions. It is the originator of the international X Factor franchise. The seven series of the show to date...
it was initially announced that Vickers would be signed by Sony Music under the Syco
Syco
Syco Entertainment, often known as simply Syco , is a global joint venture between Simon Cowell and Sony Music Entertainment focused on the production and exploitation of music, television, film and digital content...
label along with JLS
JLS
- Music :* JLS, an English boyband** JLS , debut album by JLS* JLS a Spanish Rock band based in Zaragoza , Spain formed in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic by lead Leo Susana.- Organizations :...
and Eoghan Quigg
Eoghan Quigg
Eoghan Quigg is an Irish pop singer and occasional actor from Dungiven in Northern Ireland, who finished third in the fifth series of the British television music talent contest The X Factor in 2008...
but this plan for her to join Syco was later dropped. Instead, she signed to Sony Music's RCA Records
RCA Records
RCA Records is one of the flagship labels of Sony Music Entertainment. The RCA initials stand for Radio Corporation of America , which was the parent corporation from 1929 to 1985 and a partner from 1985 to 1986.RCA's Canadian unit is Sony's oldest label...
. She began work on her debut album, Songs from the Tainted Cherry Tree, in January 2009, commenting that it would not be rushed and that it would be "Diana style". She worked with Cathy Dennis
Cathy Dennis
Cathy Dennis is a British dance-oriented pop singer-songwriter, record producer and actress...
, Eg White
Eg White
Francis Anthony "Eg" White is a British musician, songwriter and producer. White is primarily known for his work with successful commercial pop acts such as Adele, Duffy, Will Young and James Morrison...
, Nerina Pallot
Nerina Pallot
Nerina Pallot is a platinum selling, BRIT Award and Ivor Novello Award nominated British singer and songwriter. Although born in London, Pallot was brought up in Jersey to a half-French father and mother from Allahabad, India.-Early life:Pallot played piano as a child and wrote her first song...
, Ellie Goulding
Ellie Goulding
Elena Jane "Ellie" Goulding is an English singer-songwriter. In 2010 she became only the second artist to both top the BBC's annual Sound of... poll, and win the Critics' Choice Award at the BRIT Awards in the same year, following Adele's win of both in 2008...
, Cass Lowe, Guy Sigsworth
Guy Sigsworth
Guy Sigsworth is a U.K. based composer, producer and songwriter. In his career to date he has worked with many famous artists, including Seal, Björk, Goldie, Madonna, Britney Spears, Kate Havnevik, Bebel Gilberto, Mozez, David Sylvian and Alanis Morissette...
, Chris Braide
Chris Braide
Christopher Braide is an English singer, songwriter, record producer published by Sony/ATV worldwide based in Los Angeles.Producer, Songwriter and Ivor Novello ASCAP and Billboard award winner Christopher Braide has achieved considerable success as a songwriter in the UK and the US. His songs have...
, Savan Kotecha
Savan Kotecha
Savan Kotecha is an American songwriter and vocal producer from Austin, Texas of Indian descent. Kotecha has sold over 60 million records with artists such as Usher, Enrique Iglesias, Carrie Underwood, Britney Spears, One Direction and Celine Dion...
, Starsmith
Starsmith
Starsmith is a songwriter, producer, remixer and DJ. He studied a classical music degree at the University of Surrey majoring in performance on saxophone...
, Alexis Strum
Alexis Strum
Alexis Rebecca Strum is an English actress, singer-songwriter and comedy writer.After a long career in the music industry , Alexis is currently focusing on her acting career, touring the UK as Eva Cassidy's sister, Margaret in the musical 'Over The Rainbow- The Eva Cassidy Story' , whilst forging...
, Patrick Wolf
Patrick Wolf
Patrick Wolf is an English-Irish singer-songwriter from South London. Patrick utilises a wide variety of instruments in his music, most commonly the ukulele, piano and viola...
and Dev Hynes aka Lightspeed Champion
Lightspeed Champion
Devonté Hynes , better known as Lightspeed Champion or Blood Orange, is a British composer, songwriter, producer and author, who has written for artists such as Florence and the Machine, Diana Vickers and The Chemical Brothers on their 2007 Grammy award winning album We Are The Night...
.
2009–2010: Songs from the Tainted Cherry Tree
Vickers' debut single "OnceOnce (Diana Vickers song)
"Once" is a song by the British singer-songwriter Diana Vickers, written by Cathy Dennis and Eg White for Vickers' studio album Songs from the Tainted Cherry Tree. "Once" was produced and mixed by Mike Spencer and released as the album's lead single and Vickers' debut single in the United Kingdom...
" was written by Cathy Dennis
Cathy Dennis
Cathy Dennis is a British dance-oriented pop singer-songwriter, record producer and actress...
and Eg White
Eg White
Francis Anthony "Eg" White is a British musician, songwriter and producer. White is primarily known for his work with successful commercial pop acts such as Adele, Duffy, Will Young and James Morrison...
and produced by Mike Spencer
Mike Spencer
Mike Spencer is an English record producer.Mike Spencer is primarily known for his production work with successful commercial pop acts such as Jamiroquai, Kylie Minogue and Newton Faulkner....
. The track was released in the United Kingdom on 19 April 2010, after it was playlisted on Radio 1
BBC Radio 1
BBC Radio 1 is a British national radio station operated by the British Broadcasting Corporation which also broadcasts internationally, specialising in current popular music and chart hits throughout the day. Radio 1 provides alternative genres after 7:00pm including electronic dance, hip hop, rock...
and the music video premiered via Channel 4's Freshly Squeezed
Freshly Squeezed
Freshly Squeezed is a British television programme broadcast every weekday morning around 07:00 on Channel 4.-Format:The programme takes the format of a music-based breakfast show, featuring studio performances, music videos and interviews.-Current:...
music programme. On 22 April 2010 Vickers performed an acoustic version of "Once" and a cover of Snow Patrol's
Snow Patrol
Snow Patrol are an alternative rock band from Bangor, County Down, Northern Ireland. Formed at the University of Dundee in 1994 as an indie rock band, the band is now based in Glasgow...
"Just Say Yes" on Radio 1's Live Lounge. On 25 April 2010 "Once" entered the UK Singles Chart at number one selling approximately 70,000 copies in its first week of release. In March 2010 Vickers' first leg of the Songs from the Tainted Cherry Tree Tour
Songs from the Tainted Cherry Tree Tour
The Songs from the Tainted Cherry Tree Tour was a tour of the United Kingdom and Ireland by British singer-songwriter Diana Vickers, promoting her debut album, Songs from the Tainted Cherry Tree...
took place, during which she showcased material from the album.
On 15 April 2010 plans for Vickers' second single were confirmed. "The Boy Who Murdered Love" was written and produced by Chris Braide
Chris Braide
Christopher Braide is an English singer, songwriter, record producer published by Sony/ATV worldwide based in Los Angeles.Producer, Songwriter and Ivor Novello ASCAP and Billboard award winner Christopher Braide has achieved considerable success as a songwriter in the UK and the US. His songs have...
at his studio in London, with lyric contribution from Vickers. The video for the second single was shot in the week commencing 26 April 2010 in London. Vickers embarked on the second leg of her UK Tour in May 2010 promoting her newly released album, Songs From The Tainted Cherry Tree
Songs from the Tainted Cherry Tree
Upon its release, Songs from the Tainted Cherry Tree generated mixed reviews from music critics. Mayer Nissim of Digital Spy awarded the album five out of five stars, stating that Vickers and her collaborators "have crafted an album that's drenched in accessible pop melodies while never sacrificing...
, which on 9 May 2010 charted at number one on the UK Albums Chart
UK Albums Chart
The UK Albums Chart is a list of albums ranked by physical and digital sales in the United Kingdom. It is compiled every week by The Official Charts Company and broadcast on a Sunday on BBC Radio 1 , and published in Music Week magazine and on the OCC website .To qualify for the UK albums chart...
selling approximately 36,000 copies in its first week of release. On 25 July 2010 the album
Songs from the Tainted Cherry Tree
Upon its release, Songs from the Tainted Cherry Tree generated mixed reviews from music critics. Mayer Nissim of Digital Spy awarded the album five out of five stars, stating that Vickers and her collaborators "have crafted an album that's drenched in accessible pop melodies while never sacrificing...
returned to the upper reaches of the UK Albums Chart, rising 29 places from number 42 to number 13.
On 23 May 2010 Vickers performed an acoustic version of "The Boy Who Murdered Love" and Biffy Clyro
Biffy Clyro
Biffy Clyro are a Scottish rock band from Kilmarnock, comprising Simon Neil , James Johnston and Ben Johnston...
's "Many of Horror" at Radio 1's Big Weekend. Vickers released her second single, "The Boy Who Murdered Love
The Boy Who Murdered Love
"The Boy Who Murdered Love" is a song written by Diana Vickers and Chris Braide and recorded by Vickers for her debut album Songs from the Tainted Cherry Tree. The song was released as the album's second single as a digital download on 18 July 2010 with the CD single released the following day. The...
", on 18 July 2010 and it peaked at number 36 on the UK Singles Chart.
Vickers' performed "Once", "The Boy Who Murdered Love" and debut album tracks "N.U.M.B" and "Notice" for a live session for MTV. On 28 July 2010 iTunes released an exclusive EP of Vickers performing at the 2010 iTunes Festival. It included singles "Once", "The Boy Who Murdered Love", album tracks "Notice", "My Hip", a cover of Snow Patrol
Snow Patrol
Snow Patrol are an alternative rock band from Bangor, County Down, Northern Ireland. Formed at the University of Dundee in 1994 as an indie rock band, the band is now based in Glasgow...
's "Just Say Yes", but did not include album track "Put It Back Together" nor "You'll Never Get to Heaven", which she also performed.
Vickers appeared at many festivals throughout Summer 2010, including the 2010 V Festival
V Festival
The V Festival is an annual music festival held in England during the penultimate weekend in August. The event is held at two parks simultaneously which share the same bill; artists perform at one location on Saturday and then swap on Sunday. The sites are located at Hylands Park in Chelmsford and...
, The Live Lounge Stage at Radio 1's Big Weekend 2010, Stoke Festival, T4 on the Beach
T4 on the Beach
T4 On The Beach is a British one day music event which is held on the beach at Weston-super-Mare and televised for Channel 4. The event began in 2003 as Pop Beach in Great Yarmouth, changing to the current title and venue in 2005....
, T in the Park
T in the Park
T in the Park is a major British music festival that has been held annually since 1994. It is named after its main sponsor, the brewing company Tennents. It was originally held at Strathclyde Park, Lanarkshire but since 1997 has been held at a disused airfield in Balado, Kinross-shire...
, 2010 Oxygen Festival, iTunes Festival
ITunes Festival
The iTunes Festival is an annual music festival and concert series which is held in London at The Roundhouse art centre and sponsored by Apple Inc. It was first held in 2007...
, 2010 Sundae Festival and 2010 Freedom Festival, promoting her debut album. Vickers also supported Mika
Mika (singer)
Mika is a British singer-songwriter.After recording his first extended play, Dodgy Holiday EP, Mika released his first full-length studio album, Life in Cartoon Motion, on Island Records in 2007. Life in Cartoon Motion sold more than 5.6 million copies worldwide and helped Mika win a Brit...
at the Eden Sessions in 2010.
On 31 August 2010 Vickers participated in a live Ustream
Ustream
Ustream is a website which consists of a network of diverse channels providing a platform for lifecasting and live video streaming of events online. Established in March 2007, the site has over 2,000,000 registered users who generate 1,500,000+ hours of live streamed content per month with over ten...
video chat in which she confirmed that her third single would be a brand new track titled "My Wicked Heart" co-written by Vickers and songwriters Dee Adams and James Earp and also produced by them. The track features Vickers playing the trumpet. The single received its first radio play on 12 September 2010 by Tom Deacon on The 5:19 Show
BBC Switch
BBC Switch was the brand for BBC content aimed at UK teenagers. The brand launched on Saturday 20 October 2007 on BBC Two And ceased broadcasting on Saturday 17 December 2010...
. "My Wicked Heart" was digitally released on 17 October 2010 and physically released on 7 November 2010. The video for "My Wicked Heart
My Wicked Heart
"My Wicked Heart" is a song co-written and co-produced by English singer-songwriter Diana Vickers. It was supposedly released as the lead single from the re-release of her debut album, but plans were scrapped and it was revealed "My Wicked Heart" would serve as the first single from her upcoming...
" premiered on ITV2 at 6.55 pm on 2 October 2010; it features Vickers in a circus tent with gymnasts and drummer boys.
On 16 October 2010 it was reported that Red Hot Chili Peppers
Red Hot Chili Peppers
Red Hot Chili Peppers is an American rock band, formed in Los Angeles in 1983. The group's musical style primarily consists of rock with an emphasis on funk, as well as elements from other genres such as punk, hip hop and psychedelic rock...
was considering legal action over similarities between the chorus of the band's well known song "Under The Bridge
Under the Bridge
"Under the Bridge" is a song by American rock band Red Hot Chili Peppers, released on March 10, 1992 as the second single from the group's fifth studio album, Blood Sugar Sex Magik. Vocalist Anthony Kiedis wrote the lyrics to express a feeling of loneliness and despondency, and to reflect on...
" and "My Wicked Heart". Vickers admitted in an interview that she had been listening to "Under The Bridge" shortly before working on "My Wicked Heart" and had noticed but decided to ignore the similarities. On 17 October 2010 Vickers returned to The X Factor stage, two years after she was last there, to perform "My Wicked Heart".
In an interview with Digital Spy
Digital Spy
Digital Spy is a British entertainment and media news website. According to Alexa Internet traffic statistics, as of February 2011, Digital Spy is the 93rd most popular website in the United Kingdom, with an overall Alexa ranking of 2,088....
she announced the possibility of "Songs from the Tainted Cherry Tree
Songs from the Tainted Cherry Tree
Upon its release, Songs from the Tainted Cherry Tree generated mixed reviews from music critics. Mayer Nissim of Digital Spy awarded the album five out of five stars, stating that Vickers and her collaborators "have crafted an album that's drenched in accessible pop melodies while never sacrificing...
" getting a solely digital download re-release. She also stated "I've been writing so much and got so many tracks under my belt. I think I'm very close to ready for the second album actually." Vickers embarked on a UK radio tour to promote "My Wicked Heart", which started on 18 October 2010 and ended on 24 October 2010. On 24 October "My Wicked Heart" charted at number 13 on the UK Singles Chart, number 12 on the Scottish Singles Chart and number 22 on the Irish Singles Chart selling 50,000 copies to date. Vickers' fourth leg of the Songs from the Tainted Cherry Tree Tour
Songs from the Tainted Cherry Tree Tour
The Songs from the Tainted Cherry Tree Tour was a tour of the United Kingdom and Ireland by British singer-songwriter Diana Vickers, promoting her debut album, Songs from the Tainted Cherry Tree...
began on 8 November 2010, touring the UK and for the first time, Ireland where Vickers showcased "More Than This", a previously unheard track, to promote her second album.
2010–present: Untitled upcoming second album and extended play
On 3 June 2010, Vickers announced that she had started preparing songs for a second album. In an interview with Orange Music, Vickers revealed that the new direction would be "sexy", "adventurous" and inspired and influenced by indie and rock music, citing the works of The xxThe xx
The xx are an English indie pop band, formed in London in 2005. The band's members met while studying at Elliott School, the same school that produced Hot Chip, Burial and Four Tet. They became a trio when their second guitarist and keyboardist, Baria Qureshi, departed in late 2009. In September...
, The Doors
The Doors
The Doors were an American rock band formed in 1965 in Los Angeles, California, with vocalist Jim Morrison, keyboardist Ray Manzarek, drummer John Densmore, and guitarist Robby Krieger...
, Siouxsie and the Banshees and Bjork
Björk
Björk Guðmundsdóttir , known as Björk , is an Icelandic singer-songwriter. Her eclectic musical style has achieved popular acknowledgement and popularity within many musical genres, such as rock, jazz, electronic dance music, classical and folk...
. Vickers has co-written material with Nerina Pallot
Nerina Pallot
Nerina Pallot is a platinum selling, BRIT Award and Ivor Novello Award nominated British singer and songwriter. Although born in London, Pallot was brought up in Jersey to a half-French father and mother from Allahabad, India.-Early life:Pallot played piano as a child and wrote her first song...
(who penned "Put It Back Together" for Vickers' debut album), Eg White
Eg White
Francis Anthony "Eg" White is a British musician, songwriter and producer. White is primarily known for his work with successful commercial pop acts such as Adele, Duffy, Will Young and James Morrison...
(who co-wrote "Once
Once (Diana Vickers song)
"Once" is a song by the British singer-songwriter Diana Vickers, written by Cathy Dennis and Eg White for Vickers' studio album Songs from the Tainted Cherry Tree. "Once" was produced and mixed by Mike Spencer and released as the album's lead single and Vickers' debut single in the United Kingdom...
"), Starsmith
Starsmith
Starsmith is a songwriter, producer, remixer and DJ. He studied a classical music degree at the University of Surrey majoring in performance on saxophone...
, Chris Braide
Chris Braide
Christopher Braide is an English singer, songwriter, record producer published by Sony/ATV worldwide based in Los Angeles.Producer, Songwriter and Ivor Novello ASCAP and Billboard award winner Christopher Braide has achieved considerable success as a songwriter in the UK and the US. His songs have...
and Dee Adam (who co-wrote "My Wicked Heart
My Wicked Heart
"My Wicked Heart" is a song co-written and co-produced by English singer-songwriter Diana Vickers. It was supposedly released as the lead single from the re-release of her debut album, but plans were scrapped and it was revealed "My Wicked Heart" would serve as the first single from her upcoming...
" with Vickers). On 6 January 2011 Vickers travelled to Los Angeles, United States, to co-write material with John Shanks
John Shanks
John Matthew Shanks is a modern rock writer and Grammy Award–winning producer.Born in New York City, Shanks moved to Los Angeles when he was 17....
and Diane Warren
Diane Warren
Diane Eve Warren , is a US songwriter. Her songs have received six Academy Award nominations, five Golden Globe nominations, including one win and seven Grammy Award nominations, including one win. She was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2001...
. On 15 January 2011 Vickers played her debut gig in the United States at Cherry Pop in West Hollywood promoted via Perez Hilton
Perez Hilton
Mario Armando Lavandeira, Jr. , better known as Perez Hilton , is an American blogger and television personality. His blog, Perezhilton.com , is known for posts covering gossip items about celebrities...
.
On 11 March 2011, it was announced that Vickers has been collaborating with Starsailor
Starsailor (band)
Starsailor is an English post-britpop band, formed in Leigh, Warrington and Greater Manchester. By 2009, they had four charting albums and ten Top 40 singles in the UK since 2001.-Early history:...
front-man James Walsh
James Walsh
James Walsh may refer to:*James Morrow Walsh , NWMP officer and first commissioner of Yukon Territory*James J. Walsh , American politician, U.S...
indicating a heavier and rockier direction for her second album. Vickers made a second visit to Los Angeles on 14 March 2011, to do further studio work with John Shanks.
On 30 June 2011, Vickers revealed on her official Tumblr account that she had parted company with RCA Records due to creative differences. She went on further to assure her fans that the second album is still proceeding and that she is proud of it. It was uncertain whether Vickers would be signed to a new record label or would release her album independently. It was later confirmed on 5 September 2011 by Vickers' manager Annecka Griffiths at Modest! Management that a new record deal would be sought upon completion of her second album.
On 1 July 2011, it was uncovered that the mutual separation between Vickers and her management was due to musical direction where Vickers wants to pursue a more indie, less-commercial route.
On 13 July 2011, Popjustice
Popjustice
Popjustice is a music website founded in 2000 and is the work of UK freelance music journalist Peter Robinson, who has worked for NME, The Guardian, Attitude and many others....
reviewed three tracks from Vickers' second album titled, "Boy In Paris", "Cinderella" and "Music To Make The Boys Cry" commenting that the songwriting standard was extremely high and that, "the tunes – the melodies – are huge". The article presented how the three tracks were a result of studio sessions with Donkeyboy
Donkeyboy
Donkeyboy are a pop band from Drammen, Norway, formed in 2005. The band consists of Cato Sundberg , Kent Sundberg , Peter Michelsen , Thomas Drabløs , and Alexander Garborg Ågedal .-Biography:Donkeyboy were signed to Warner Music after an employee came across their music on MySpace...
and Miranda Cooper
Miranda Cooper
Miranda Eleanor De Fonbrune Cooper has been on the UK charts longer than any other female songwriter in the country. In 2007 Harper's Bazaar wrote of her: ‘If it's a hit you want, you'd better talk to Cooper...
. Popjustice confirmed that the new material would be released in 2012.
On 28 July 2011, Vickers announced via a Ustream
Ustream
Ustream is a website which consists of a network of diverse channels providing a platform for lifecasting and live video streaming of events online. Established in March 2007, the site has over 2,000,000 registered users who generate 1,500,000+ hours of live streamed content per month with over ten...
web chat that she would be releasing a downloadable EP before the end of 2011 to showcase a sample of her second era of music. Vickers confirmed that she has recorded over thirty tracks for her new album to be released early next year. As they cannot all feature on the album, a taster EP will be available to download over the coming months. A release date is yet to be confirmed for the EP. On 12 August 2011 it was unveiled that Vickers had collaborated with MNEK
MNEK
Uzoechi Osisioma Emenike professionally known as MNEK , is a British singer, songwriter and record producer. He is of Nigerian-Igbo descent. He is signed to EMI Music Publishing. He is known for his retro style, colourful glasses, and hi-top fade...
where the British record producer tweeted
Twitter
Twitter is an online social networking and microblogging service that enables its users to send and read text-based posts of up to 140 characters, informally known as "tweets".Twitter was created in March 2006 by Jack Dorsey and launched that July...
that "pop gems" had been made as a result of their studio sessions.
A demo song called 'Somewhere Bound' by artist Neilzzo, is rumoured to have been given to Vickers. The demo version is on YouTube.
Work with other artists
Vickers co-wrote the Enrique IglesiasEnrique Iglesias
Enrique Iglesias is a Spanish pop music singer, a son of singer Julio Iglesias.Enrique started his musical career on Mexican label Fonovisa...
and Jennifer Lopez
Jennifer Lopez
Jennifer Lynn Lopez is an American actress, singer, record producer, dancer, television personality, and fashion designer. Lopez began her career as a dancer on the television comedy program In Living Color. Subsequently venturing into acting, she gained recognition in the 1995 action-thriller...
single "Mouth 2 Mouth" for Iglesias's reissue album Euphoria Reloaded.
Acting career
Vickers made her professional acting debut in the title role of a new revived West End production of Jim CartwrightJim Cartwright
Jim Cartwright is an English dramatist, born at Farnworth, Lancashire, England. Cartwright's first play, Road, won a number of awards before being adapted for TV and broadcast by the BBC....
's The Rise and Fall of Little Voice
The Rise and Fall of Little Voice
The Rise and Fall of Little Voice is a 1992 play written by English dramatist Jim Cartwright. Sam Mendes directed stars Jane Horrocks and Alison Steadman at the Royal National Theatre before transferring to the Aldwych Theatre in London's West End....
on 8 October 2009 at the Vaudeville Theatre
Vaudeville Theatre
The Vaudeville Theatre is a West End theatre on The Strand in the City of Westminster. As the name suggests, the theatre held mostly vaudeville shows and musical revues in its early days. It opened in 1870 and was rebuilt twice, although each new building retained elements of the previous...
, on The Strand, London
Strand, London
Strand is a street in the City of Westminster, London, England. The street is just over three-quarters of a mile long. It currently starts at Trafalgar Square and runs east to join Fleet Street at Temple Bar, which marks the boundary of the City of London at this point, though its historical length...
. She played Little Voice, who hides a talent as an impersonator of singers such as Shirley Bassey
Shirley Bassey
Dame Shirley Bassey, DBE , is a Welsh singer. She found fame in the late 1950s and was "one of the most popular female vocalists in Britain during the last half of the 20th century"...
, Edith Piaf
Édith Piaf
Édith Piaf , born Édith Giovanna Gassion, was a French singer and cultural icon who became widely regarded as France's greatest popular singer. Her singing reflected her life, with her specialty being ballads...
and Judy Garland
Judy Garland
Judy Garland was an American actress and singer. Through a career that spanned 45 of her 47 years and for her renowned contralto voice, she attained international stardom as an actress in musical and dramatic roles, as a recording artist and on the concert stage...
.
Mark Owen
Mark Owen
Mark Anthony Patrick Owen , is an English singer-songwriter. He is a member of pop band Take That. The band were hugely successful during the 1990s and have enjoyed even more success since their reunion in 2005...
of Take That
Take That
Take That are a British five-piece vocal pop group comprising Gary Barlow, Howard Donald, Jason Orange, Mark Owen and Robbie Williams. Barlow acts as the lead singer and primary songwriter...
wrote "Sunlight", the final song in the play for Vickers to sing. "Sunlight" was featured as a B-Side for her debut single, "Once". Vickers took a break from recording her debut album to star in the production. Vickers' performance received more positive reviews than any other show of that year.
Vickers' performance received a good review in The Guardian
The Guardian
The Guardian, formerly known as The Manchester Guardian , is a British national daily newspaper in the Berliner format...
in which they said that "[Vickers'] singing is impressive, we were surprised at her vocal abilities." Her stint was deemed "magical" in The Daily Telegraph
The Daily Telegraph
The Daily Telegraph is a daily morning broadsheet newspaper distributed throughout the United Kingdom and internationally. The newspaper was founded by Arthur B...
. Quentin Letts of the Daily Mail
Daily Mail
The Daily Mail is a British daily middle-market tabloid newspaper owned by the Daily Mail and General Trust. First published in 1896 by Lord Northcliffe, it is the United Kingdom's second biggest-selling daily newspaper after The Sun. Its sister paper The Mail on Sunday was launched in 1982...
also gave a positive review of Vickers' performance. She won the Whatsonstage.com Theatregoers' Choice Award
Theatregoers' Choice Award
The Whatsonstage.com Theatregoers' Choice Awards are organised by the theatre website Whatsonstage.com and recognise the performers and productions of British theatre with emphasis on London's West End. Nominations and eventual winners are selected by the theatre-going public....
"London Newcomer of the Year" in February 2010 for her performance, with 34.5% of the vote out of 7 other competitors.
Musical style and influences
Vickers' musical style scopes from simple folk-tinged, keyboard and guitar based ballads to more up-tempo indie rockIndie rock
Indie rock is a genre of alternative rock that originated in the United Kingdom and the United States in the 1980s. Indie rock is extremely diverse, with sub-genres that include lo-fi, post-rock, math rock, indie pop, dream pop, noise rock, space rock, sadcore, riot grrrl and emo, among others...
and synth-based songs with full band backing. Her musical style has been compared to Kate Bush
Kate Bush
Kate Bush is an English singer-songwriter, musician and record producer. Her eclectic musical style and idiosyncratic vocal style have made her one of the United Kingdom's most successful solo female performers of the past 30 years.In 1978, at the age of 19, Bush topped the UK Singles Chart...
, Ellie Goulding
Ellie Goulding
Elena Jane "Ellie" Goulding is an English singer-songwriter. In 2010 she became only the second artist to both top the BBC's annual Sound of... poll, and win the Critics' Choice Award at the BRIT Awards in the same year, following Adele's win of both in 2008...
, Dido
Dido (singer)
Dido Florian Cloud de Bounevialle O'Malley Armstrong , known as Dido, is an English singer-songwriter.Dido shot to worldwide success with her debut album, No Angel...
, and Dolores O'Riordan
Dolores O'Riordan
Dolores Mary Eileen O'Riordan is an Irish musician, singer and songwriter. She led The Cranberries to worldwide success and fame for 13 years before the band took a hiatus in 2003. Her first solo album Are You Listening? was released in May 2007...
. Vickers additionally showcases a quirky and idiosyncratic style of singing often described as breathy, raspy and hiccupy. Vickers has cited an array of influences including Florence + The Machine, Kate Bush
Kate Bush
Kate Bush is an English singer-songwriter, musician and record producer. Her eclectic musical style and idiosyncratic vocal style have made her one of the United Kingdom's most successful solo female performers of the past 30 years.In 1978, at the age of 19, Bush topped the UK Singles Chart...
, Regina Spektor
Regina Spektor
Regina Ilyinichna Spektor is a Russian American singer-songwriter and pianist. Her music is associated with the anti-folk scene centered in New York City's East Village.-Early life:...
, Mariah Carey
Mariah Carey
Mariah Carey is an American singer-songwriter, record producer, and actress. She made her recording debut with the release of her eponymous studio album in 1990, under the guidance of Columbia Records executive Tommy Mottola, whom she later married in 1993...
, Kings of Leon
Kings of Leon
Kings of Leon is an American rock band that originated in Albion, Oklahoma but formed in Nashville, Tennessee in 1999. The band is composed of brothers Anthony Caleb Followill , Ivan Nathan Followill and Michael Jared Followill Kings of Leon is an American rock band that originated in Albion,...
, Frou Frou, Sinéad O'Connor
Sinéad O'Connor
Sinéad Marie Bernadette O'Connor is an Irish singer-songwriter. She rose to fame in the late 1980s with her debut album The Lion and the Cobra and achieved worldwide success in 1990 with a cover of the song "Nothing Compares 2 U"....
and The Sundays
The Sundays
The Sundays were an English alternative rock band. The band formed in the late 1980s and released three albums in the 1990s.-Career:The band's beginnings came with the meeting of Harriet Wheeler and guitarist David Gavurin at university. Wheeler had played gigs with 'Cruel Shoes' an early...
. Vickers commented on her musical style and career saying:
Discussing the musical style of her forthcoming second album, Vickers declared that she had been inspired by indie and rock music to experiment with different sounds. Vickers has stated that the music of The xx
The xx
The xx are an English indie pop band, formed in London in 2005. The band's members met while studying at Elliott School, the same school that produced Hot Chip, Burial and Four Tet. They became a trio when their second guitarist and keyboardist, Baria Qureshi, departed in late 2009. In September...
, The Doors
The Doors
The Doors were an American rock band formed in 1965 in Los Angeles, California, with vocalist Jim Morrison, keyboardist Ray Manzarek, drummer John Densmore, and guitarist Robby Krieger...
, Siouxsie and the Banshees and Björk
Björk
Björk Guðmundsdóttir , known as Björk , is an Icelandic singer-songwriter. Her eclectic musical style has achieved popular acknowledgement and popularity within many musical genres, such as rock, jazz, electronic dance music, classical and folk...
has influenced her latest work.
Public image
Apart from Vickers' musical style, she is well known for her unique and kooky boho-chicBoho-chic
Boho-chic is a style of female fashion drawing on various bohemian and hippie influences, which, at its height in 2004-5, was associated particularly with actress Sienna Miller and model Kate Moss in the United Kingdom and actresses Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen and Nicole Richie in the United States...
and hippie-influenced
Hippie
The hippie subculture was originally a youth movement that arose in the United States during the mid-1960s and spread to other countries around the world. The etymology of the term 'hippie' is from hipster, and was initially used to describe beatniks who had moved into San Francisco's...
appearance. Vickers' trademark style includes messy, back-combed "bird's nest" hair and vintage
Vintage
Vintage, in wine-making, is the process of picking grapes and creating the finished product . A vintage wine is one made from grapes that were all, or primarily, grown and harvested in a single specified year. In certain wines, it can denote quality, as in Port wine, where Port houses make and...
inspired clothing where she is often seen wearing outfits from London's Brick Lane, Camden and Beyond Retro. Vickers' fashion icons are Brigitte Bardot
Brigitte Bardot
Brigitte Anne-Marie Bardot is a French former fashion model, actress, singer and animal rights activist. She was one of the best-known sex-symbols of the 1960s.In her early life, Bardot was an aspiring ballet dancer...
and Marilyn Monroe
Marilyn Monroe
Marilyn Monroe was an American actress, singer, model and showgirl who became a major sex symbol, starring in a number of commercially successful motion pictures during the 1950s....
. Vickers has encouraged dedicated fashion blogs documenting her latest attire and has been labelled a fashionista
Fashion victim
Fashion victim is a term claimed to have been coined by Oscar de la Renta that is used to identify a person who is unable to identify commonly recognized boundaries of style....
in the making by Grazia
Grazia
Grazia is an Italian weekly women's fashion and celebrity gossip magazine, with international editions printed in France, Serbia, Australia, United Kingdom, Greece, Portugal, Japan, the Netherlands, India, Bulgaria and Germany....
. On 29 October 2009 Vickers was awarded "Fashionista of the Week" in The Guardian
The Guardian
The Guardian, formerly known as The Manchester Guardian , is a British national daily newspaper in the Berliner format...
and on 3 June 2010, Vickers was nominated for "Best Dressed Woman of The Year" at The Clothes Show Style Awards 2010.
Dee V for Very fashion line
On 20 May 2011 Vickers launched an eight-piece clothing collection for Very.co.uk titled "Dee V". The debut collection ranged from £20 to £99 for items including sequin dresses adorned with blossom, bird and dog prints, cotton tees and wide leg jeans. On 24 August 2011 Vickers announced that she would be launching a competition to celebrate her weekly "Vickers Wicked Wednesday" event. The winner would receive the mini sequin dress from her collection, worth £99. On 26 August she announced the winner via her Tumblr blog. After a best-selling debut range, Vickers launched a second collection for Very.co.uk on 13 July 2011. The second collection is inspired by the fashionable television series Mad MenMad Men
Mad Men is an American dramatic television series created and produced by Matthew Weiner. The series premiered on Sunday evenings on the American cable network AMC and are produced by Lionsgate Television. It premiered on July 19, 2007, and completed its fourth season on October 17, 2010. Each...
and emphasises Vickers' uniquely iconic style. On 1 September 2011 Vickers tweeted
Twitter
Twitter is an online social networking and microblogging service that enables its users to send and read text-based posts of up to 140 characters, informally known as "tweets".Twitter was created in March 2006 by Jack Dorsey and launched that July...
that a further collection was designed for her "Dee V" for Very range exclusively for the Christmas
Christmas
Christmas or Christmas Day is an annual holiday generally celebrated on December 25 by billions of people around the world. It is a Christian feast that commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ, liturgically closing the Advent season and initiating the season of Christmastide, which lasts twelve days...
period which went on sale from September 2011. A faux-fur knitted dress and a leather biker jacket were among Vickers' Christmas statement pieces.
Make-up line
In September 2011 Vickers posted on her Tumblr blog that she would be the face of Collection 2000's autumn and winter capsule make-up line. Vickers helped select products for the range, which includes mascaras, smoky eyeshadows, false lashes and bright lipsticks. It goes on sale in BootsBoots UK
Boots UK Limited , is a leading pharmacy chain in the United Kingdom, with outlets in most high streets throughout the country...
and Superdrug
Superdrug
Superdrug Stores PLC is Britain's second-largest beauty and health retailer behind Boots. Superdrug - part of the AS Watson Group which in turn is part of the Hong Kong conglomerate Hutchison Whampoa - is a UK based company with over 890 stores, which since 2006, includes the Republic of Ireland...
stores in the United Kingdom from 28 September 2011. As part of the campaign, Vickers ran a competition on her blog to win a bag full of Collection 2000 products.
Personal life
Vickers was in a 6 month relationship with student Kieran Towers, but more recently she has been dating One Night OnlyOne Night Only (band)
One Night Only is a British Indie rock band from Helmsley, North Yorkshire formed in 2003.-History:One Night Only formed in summer 2003, consisting initially of Mark Hayton, Daniel “Pob” Parkin, Sam “Gunner” Ford and Kai "Kai" Smith. The band did not have a vocalist until George Craig, a friend of...
frontman, George Craig
George Craig (musician)
George Craig is a model and the frontman of the indie North Yorkshire band One Night Only.Craig has modeled for Burberry, after Christopher Bailey discovered his band and liked their song Just For Tonight. As the vocalist of his band, he also plays the guitar as he insisted on doing so much like...
. In July 2011 Vickers gave an interview in which she revealed how they got together: "We chatted at a party, then he tried to woo me. He was very persistent for about three months, sending me lovely texts. Then we were at another party, he picked up a guitar, we got talking and that was it."
Philanthropy
In March 2010 Vickers supported JLSJLS
- Music :* JLS, an English boyband** JLS , debut album by JLS* JLS a Spanish Rock band based in Zaragoza , Spain formed in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic by lead Leo Susana.- Organizations :...
for a charity performance in aid of Teenage Cancer Trust
Teenage Cancer Trust
Teenage Cancer Trust is a charity that focuses on the needs of teenagers and young adults with cancer, leukaemia, Hodgkin’s and related diseases by providing specialist teenage units in NHS hospitals. The units are dedicated areas for teenage patients, who are involved in their concept and creation...
at the Royal Albert Hall
Royal Albert Hall
The Royal Albert Hall is a concert hall situated on the northern edge of the South Kensington area, in the City of Westminster, London, England, best known for holding the annual summer Proms concerts since 1941....
in London to raise money for teenagers who are suffering from cancer. In July 2010 Vickers performed at a charity event "Give Tilly a Hand", helping to raise funds in a charity evening for meningitis
Meningitis
Meningitis is inflammation of the protective membranes covering the brain and spinal cord, known collectively as the meninges. The inflammation may be caused by infection with viruses, bacteria, or other microorganisms, and less commonly by certain drugs...
victim Tilly Lockley. For anti-bullying week 2010 in the UK, Vickers uploaded a video to her official website encouraging young people to stand up to bullies. In August 2010 Vickers wrote a column in The Sun newspaper opposing the use of drugs and legal highs after witnessing disturbing effects of people "out of control" at the UK summer festival circuit warning that, "just because a drug is legal, you cannot assume it is safe." In an interview with Now Magazine Vickers announced that since rising to fame she has been offered drugs but will always say no to them concluding, "I've never tried them [drugs] and I'm very proud of that." On 28 September 2010 Vickers played an intimate gig as part of the month long "Oxjam Festival" which raised money in support of charity Oxfam
Oxfam
Oxfam is an international confederation of 15 organizations working in 98 countries worldwide to find lasting solutions to poverty and related injustice around the world. In all Oxfam’s actions, the ultimate goal is to enable people to exercise their rights and manage their own lives...
.
On 10 March 2011 Vickers launched an eBay
EBay
eBay Inc. is an American internet consumer-to-consumer corporation that manages eBay.com, an online auction and shopping website in which people and businesses buy and sell a broad variety of goods and services worldwide...
competition accredited on behalf of Comic Relief
Comic Relief
Comic Relief is an operating British charity, founded in 1985 by the comedy scriptwriter Richard Curtis and comedian Lenny Henry in response to famine in Ethiopia. The highlight of Comic Relief's appeal is Red Nose Day, a biennial telethon held in March, alternating with sister project Sport Relief...
which encouraged people to place bids where the highest bidder at the end of the charity auction wins Vickers as a Twitter "best friend". The winning bidder gets followed and regularly mentioned on the social networking website by Vickers over a 90-day period where proceeds from the winning bid raises money for Red Nose Day to help vulnerable, poor and disadvantaged people in the UK and Africa.
Discography
- Songs from the Tainted Cherry TreeSongs from the Tainted Cherry TreeUpon its release, Songs from the Tainted Cherry Tree generated mixed reviews from music critics. Mayer Nissim of Digital Spy awarded the album five out of five stars, stating that Vickers and her collaborators "have crafted an album that's drenched in accessible pop melodies while never sacrificing...
(2010)
Tours
- The X FactorThe X Factor (UK series 5)The fifth UK series of The X Factor was broadcast on ITV in 2008. The series started on 16 August and was won by Alexandra Burke on 13 December, with new judge Cheryl Cole emerging as the winning mentor. Auditions in front of producers were held in April/May, with callbacks in front of the judges...
Live Tour (2009) - Songs from the Tainted Cherry Tree TourSongs from the Tainted Cherry Tree TourThe Songs from the Tainted Cherry Tree Tour was a tour of the United Kingdom and Ireland by British singer-songwriter Diana Vickers, promoting her debut album, Songs from the Tainted Cherry Tree...
(2010) - Support act for JLSJLS- Music :* JLS, an English boyband** JLS , debut album by JLS* JLS a Spanish Rock band based in Zaragoza , Spain formed in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic by lead Leo Susana.- Organizations :...
' Summer Tour (2010)