Gin Wigmore
Encyclopedia
Virginia "Gin" Wigmore is a New Zealand
singer-songwriter
. In 2009, she featured on the single "Brother"
by Smashproof
, which reached #1 on the RIANZ singles charts for 11 weeks. In 2009 she released her debut album Holy Smoke. On November 7, 2011, she released her second studio album Gravel and Wine
, who is a professional actress who is well known for starring as Justine Jones
in the long running New Zealand soap opera Shortland Street
and a role in "Underbelly: Razor
" Wigmore also has an older brother Olly.
While she was in Argentina at age 16, her father died of cancer. Upon her return to New Zealand, she articulated in song the pain of losing her father. One of those early songs, “Hallelujah”, won the US-based International Songwriting Competition
in 2004, when she beat 11,000 songwriting aspirants from 77 countries to become the youngest and only unsigned Grand Prize winner in the history of the ISC. "Hallelujah" was also featured in the season 6 finale of One Tree Hill
.
was Wigmore's first EP. It was produced by Tony Buchen (Blue King Brown, The Whitlams, Macromantics, Kid Confucius) and contains the tracks "Hallelujah", "These Roses", "SOS", "Under My Skin", and "Easy Come Easy Go". Released in 2008, it has peaked at number ten in the New Zealand charts. The EP was certified Platinum in New Zealand on 2 May 2010, selling over 15,000 copies.
Extended Play was released in Australia
on 2 August 2008 by Island Records
. Wigmore was the first artist signed with Island Records, a partner company with Universal Music Group
, Australia.
Wigmore's hit single "Under My Skin" was featured on an Air New Zealand
advertising campaign, Nothing to Hide.
The EP features renowned Australian musician John Butler
on ukulele
on Wigmore's song "SOS".
Wigmore toured with Australian artist, Pete Murray, on his national tour in August/September 2008. Wigmore toured in 2008, including at the Cross Town Revue in Auckland, New Zealand, and in December 2008, toured with musicians John Mellencamp
and Sheryl Crow
in New Zealand.
, also from Auckland, New Zealand. The song, "Brother
", was released in early 2009.
In 2009, Wigmore released her full length debut album, Holy Smoke, recorded with The Cardinals of Ryan Adams
& the Cardinals fame. The first single from the album, "Oh My
", debuted on the New Zealand Singles Chart at number twenty-one on 24 August 2009, moving to number seven the following week. It peaked at number four.
Three other singles were released during 2010, 'I Do' charted at no.14 on the Official New Zealand Singles Chart, while third single 'Hey Ho' missed out on a top 20 position by charting just outside at no.21. The fourth single taken from Holy Smoke was 'Too Late For Lovers', and despite hitting no.3 on the NZ40 Airplay chart, the single failed to crack the national Top 40.
During the week of 30 May 2010, all four of Wigmore's singles from Holy Smoke appeared on the NZ40 Airplay Chart 'Too Late For Lovers' #7, 'Oh My' #23, 'Hey Ho' #24, 'I Do' #37
Wigmore's single "Hey Ho" appeared during the closing scenes of the Weeds
Season 6 Finale.
Her song "Stealing Happiness" appeared in the TV movie "Tangiwai".
In September 2011, Home Improvement Retailer Lowe's
began a new brand campaign featuring Wigmore's single "Don't Stop."
"—" denotes releases that did not chart.
2011 Gravel and Wine. released No 7, 2011
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
singer-songwriter
Singer-songwriter
Singer-songwriters are musicians who write, compose and sing their own musical material including lyrics and melodies. As opposed to contemporary popular music singers who write their own songs, the term singer-songwriter describes a distinct form of artistry, closely associated with the...
. In 2009, she featured on the single "Brother"
Brother (Smashproof song)
"Brother" is a single that was released by New Zealand hip-hop group Smashproof in early 2009. The song features Gin Wigmore. It was made as a metaphor to life in South Auckland. 'Brother' has proven to be very popular on the domestic music scene...
by Smashproof
Smashproof
Smashproof is a New Zealand Hip hop/Rap male group. Smashproof consists of Young Sid, Tyree and Deach. They are best known for the single "Brother" which spent eleven consecutive weeks at number one on the New Zealand RIANZ singles chart in 2009. The song "Brother" features singer Gin Wigmore.The...
, which reached #1 on the RIANZ singles charts for 11 weeks. In 2009 she released her debut album Holy Smoke. On November 7, 2011, she released her second studio album Gravel and Wine
Personal life
Virginia Claire Wigmore most commonly known as Gin Wigmore was born in Auckland, New Zealand to Peter and Adrienne Wigmore. Wigmore has two siblings.Lucy WigmoreLucy Wigmore
Lucy Wigmore is a stage and screen actress from New Zealand. She played core cast member Dr Justine Jones in the long-running soap opera Shortland Street, and more recently starred as Lillian May Armfield in Underbelly: Razor, a 13 part Drama set in the 1920's - 1930's on the rough and ready...
, who is a professional actress who is well known for starring as Justine Jones
Justine Jones
Justine Jones was a fictional character on the TVNZ soap opera Shortland Street. Justine was originally played by Laurie Foell in 2005 and 2006, but was replaced by Lucy Wigmore in 2007 who portrayed her until September 2008 and as a guest character in July 2009.-Casting:Controversy struck in 2007...
in the long running New Zealand soap opera Shortland Street
Shortland Street
Shortland Street is a New Zealand prime-time soap opera, first broadcast on Television New Zealand's TV2 on 25 May 1992. It is the country's longest-running drama and soap opera, being broadcast continuously for over 4500 episodes and 19 years, and is one of the most watched television programs in...
and a role in "Underbelly: Razor
Underbelly: Razor
Underbelly: Razor is a 13-part Australian television mini-series detailing real events that occurred in Sydney between 1927 and 1936. The series depicts the "razor gangs" who controlled the city's underworld during the era and the violent war between the two "vice queen" powers, Tilly Devine and...
" Wigmore also has an older brother Olly.
While she was in Argentina at age 16, her father died of cancer. Upon her return to New Zealand, she articulated in song the pain of losing her father. One of those early songs, “Hallelujah”, won the US-based International Songwriting Competition
International Songwriting Competition
The International Songwriting Competition is an annual song contest based in Nashville, TN, whose mission is to provide the opportunity for both aspiring and established songwriters to have their songs heard in a professional, international arena. ISC is designed to nurture the musical talent of...
in 2004, when she beat 11,000 songwriting aspirants from 77 countries to become the youngest and only unsigned Grand Prize winner in the history of the ISC. "Hallelujah" was also featured in the season 6 finale of One Tree Hill
One Tree Hill (TV series)
One Tree Hill is an American television drama created by Mark Schwahn, which premiered on September 23, 2003, on The WB Television Network. After its third season, The WB merged with UPN to form The CW Television Network, and, since September 27, 2006, the network has been the official broadcaster...
.
“Hallelujah was my way of telling my family I had dealt with dad's passing and honestly. I didn't want to share these feelings with anyone else. I wanted the moment for myself and my family.”
--- Gin Wigmore
Extended Play
Extended PlayExtended Play (Gin Wigmore EP)
-Chart procession:...
was Wigmore's first EP. It was produced by Tony Buchen (Blue King Brown, The Whitlams, Macromantics, Kid Confucius) and contains the tracks "Hallelujah", "These Roses", "SOS", "Under My Skin", and "Easy Come Easy Go". Released in 2008, it has peaked at number ten in the New Zealand charts. The EP was certified Platinum in New Zealand on 2 May 2010, selling over 15,000 copies.
Extended Play was released in Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
on 2 August 2008 by Island Records
Island Records
Island Records is a record label that was founded by Chris Blackwell in Jamaica. It was based in the United Kingdom for many years and is now owned by Universal Music Group...
. Wigmore was the first artist signed with Island Records, a partner company with Universal Music Group
Universal Music Group
Universal Music Group is an American music group, the largest of the "big four" record companies by its commanding market share and its multitude of global operations...
, Australia.
Wigmore's hit single "Under My Skin" was featured on an Air New Zealand
Air New Zealand
Air New Zealand Limited is the national airline and flag carrier of New Zealand. Based in Auckland, New Zealand, the airline operates scheduled passenger flights to 26 domestic destinations and 24 international destinations in 15 countries across Asia, Europe, North America and Oceania, and is...
advertising campaign, Nothing to Hide.
The EP features renowned Australian musician John Butler
John Butler (musician)
John Charles Wiltshire-Butler or John Charles Butler is an Australian musician, songwriter, record label owner and producer...
on ukulele
Ukulele
The ukulele, ; from ; it is a subset of the guitar family of instruments, generally with four nylon or gut strings or four courses of strings....
on Wigmore's song "SOS".
Wigmore toured with Australian artist, Pete Murray, on his national tour in August/September 2008. Wigmore toured in 2008, including at the Cross Town Revue in Auckland, New Zealand, and in December 2008, toured with musicians John Mellencamp
John Mellencamp
John Mellencamp, previously known by the stage names Johnny Cougar, John Cougar, and John Cougar Mellencamp, is an American rock singer-songwriter, musician, painter and occasional actor known for his catchy, populist brand of heartland rock that eschews synthesizers and other artificial sounds...
and Sheryl Crow
Sheryl Crow
Sheryl Suzanne Crow is an American singer-songwriter, record producer, musician, and actress. Her music incorporates elements of rock, folk, hip hop, country and pop...
in New Zealand.
Holy Smoke
Recent work has seen her featured in the song and video of the new group, SmashproofSmashproof
Smashproof is a New Zealand Hip hop/Rap male group. Smashproof consists of Young Sid, Tyree and Deach. They are best known for the single "Brother" which spent eleven consecutive weeks at number one on the New Zealand RIANZ singles chart in 2009. The song "Brother" features singer Gin Wigmore.The...
, also from Auckland, New Zealand. The song, "Brother
Brother (Smashproof song)
"Brother" is a single that was released by New Zealand hip-hop group Smashproof in early 2009. The song features Gin Wigmore. It was made as a metaphor to life in South Auckland. 'Brother' has proven to be very popular on the domestic music scene...
", was released in early 2009.
In 2009, Wigmore released her full length debut album, Holy Smoke, recorded with The Cardinals of Ryan Adams
Ryan Adams
David Ryan Adams is an American alt-country/rock singer-songwriter, from Jacksonville, North Carolina. Initially part of the group Whiskeytown, Adams left the band and released his first solo album Heartbreaker in 2000...
& the Cardinals fame. The first single from the album, "Oh My
Oh My (Gin Wigmore song)
-Chart procession and certification:- Year-end charts :...
", debuted on the New Zealand Singles Chart at number twenty-one on 24 August 2009, moving to number seven the following week. It peaked at number four.
Three other singles were released during 2010, 'I Do' charted at no.14 on the Official New Zealand Singles Chart, while third single 'Hey Ho' missed out on a top 20 position by charting just outside at no.21. The fourth single taken from Holy Smoke was 'Too Late For Lovers', and despite hitting no.3 on the NZ40 Airplay chart, the single failed to crack the national Top 40.
During the week of 30 May 2010, all four of Wigmore's singles from Holy Smoke appeared on the NZ40 Airplay Chart 'Too Late For Lovers' #7, 'Oh My' #23, 'Hey Ho' #24, 'I Do' #37
Wigmore's single "Hey Ho" appeared during the closing scenes of the Weeds
Weeds (TV series)
Weeds is an American television comedy created by Jenji Kohan and produced by Tilted Productions in association with Lionsgate Television. The central character is Nancy Botwin , a widowed mother of two boys who begins selling marijuana to support her family after her husband dies suddenly of a...
Season 6 Finale.
Her song "Stealing Happiness" appeared in the TV movie "Tangiwai".
Gravel & Wine
In September 2011, Wigmore revealed the title and release of her new album, "Gravel & Wine" on her official Facebook page. The first single from this album is slated to be "Black Sheep", and was released 26 September 2011 and peaked so far at #13, while the album's full release will be on 7 November 2011 in New Zealand, followed by later dates in other territories.In September 2011, Home Improvement Retailer Lowe's
Lowe's
Lowe's Companies, Inc. is a U.S.-based chain of retail home improvement and appliance stores. Founded in 1946 in North Wilkesboro, North Carolina, the chain now serves more than 14 million customers a week in its 1,710 stores in the United States and 20 in Canada. Expansion into Canada began in...
began a new brand campaign featuring Wigmore's single "Don't Stop."
Studio albums
| Year | Title | NZ Recording Industry Association of New Zealand The Recording Industry Association of New Zealand is a non-profit trade association of record producers, distributors and recording artists who sell music in New Zealand... Chart |
Certifications Music recording sales certification Music recording sales certification is a system of certifying that a music recording has shipped or sold a certain number of copies, where the threshold quantity varies by type and by nation or territory .Almost all countries follow variations of the RIAA certification categories,... (sales thresholds) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | Holy Smoke
|
1 | NZ: 4× Platinum |
| Year | Title | NZ Recording Industry Association of New Zealand The Recording Industry Association of New Zealand is a non-profit trade association of record producers, distributors and recording artists who sell music in New Zealand... Chart |
Certifications Music recording sales certification Music recording sales certification is a system of certifying that a music recording has shipped or sold a certain number of copies, where the threshold quantity varies by type and by nation or territory .Almost all countries follow variations of the RIAA certification categories,... (sales thresholds) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | Gravel & Wine
|
1 | NZ: Gold |
Extended plays
| Year | Title | NZ Recording Industry Association of New Zealand The Recording Industry Association of New Zealand is a non-profit trade association of record producers, distributors and recording artists who sell music in New Zealand... Chart |
Certifications Music recording sales certification Music recording sales certification is a system of certifying that a music recording has shipped or sold a certain number of copies, where the threshold quantity varies by type and by nation or territory .Almost all countries follow variations of the RIAA certification categories,... (sales thresholds) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | Extended Play Extended Play (Gin Wigmore EP) -Chart procession:...
|
10 | NZ: Platinum |
| 2010 | iTunes Session
Universal Music Group Universal Music Group is an American music group, the largest of the "big four" record companies by its commanding market share and its multitude of global operations... Music download A music download is the transferral of music from an Internet-facing computer or website to a user's local computer. This term encompasses both legal downloads and downloads of copyright material without permission or payment... |
— |
"—" denotes releases that did not chart.
2011 Gravel and Wine. released No 7, 2011
Singles
| Year | Title | NZ Recording Industry Association of New Zealand The Recording Industry Association of New Zealand is a non-profit trade association of record producers, distributors and recording artists who sell music in New Zealand... Chart |
Certifications Music recording sales certification Music recording sales certification is a system of certifying that a music recording has shipped or sold a certain number of copies, where the threshold quantity varies by type and by nation or territory .Almost all countries follow variations of the RIAA certification categories,... (sales thresholds) |
Album |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | "Under My Skin" | 10 | Extended Play Extended Play (Gin Wigmore EP) -Chart procession:... |
|
| 2009 | "Oh My Oh My (Gin Wigmore song) -Chart procession and certification:- Year-end charts :... " |
4 | NZ: Platinum | Holy Smoke |
| "I Do I Do (Gin Wigmore song) "I Do" is the second single from Gin's first studio album, Holy Smoke.-Music video:The music video for "I Do" begins by showing Gin playing a ukulele on rocks near the sea, standing under an archway reading "Holy Smoke", which is the name of the album the single is from. She sees movement in the... " |
14 | NZ: Gold | ||
| 2010 | "Hey Ho Hey Ho "Hey Ho" is the third single from Gin's first studio album, Holy Smoke. The song was featured in season 6 finale of Weeds .-Background:... " |
21 | ||
| "Too Late For Lovers" | — | |||
| 2011 | "Black Sheep" | 13 | Gravel & Wine |
As featured Artist
| Year | Title | NZ Recording Industry Association of New Zealand The Recording Industry Association of New Zealand is a non-profit trade association of record producers, distributors and recording artists who sell music in New Zealand... Chart |
Certifications Music recording sales certification Music recording sales certification is a system of certifying that a music recording has shipped or sold a certain number of copies, where the threshold quantity varies by type and by nation or territory .Almost all countries follow variations of the RIAA certification categories,... (sales thresholds) |
Album |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | "Brother Brother (Smashproof song) "Brother" is a single that was released by New Zealand hip-hop group Smashproof in early 2009. The song features Gin Wigmore. It was made as a metaphor to life in South Auckland. 'Brother' has proven to be very popular on the domestic music scene... " (with Smashproof Smashproof Smashproof is a New Zealand Hip hop/Rap male group. Smashproof consists of Young Sid, Tyree and Deach. They are best known for the single "Brother" which spent eleven consecutive weeks at number one on the New Zealand RIANZ singles chart in 2009. The song "Brother" features singer Gin Wigmore.The... ) |
1 | NZ: 2x Platinum | The Weekend The Weekend (Smashproof album) The Weekend is the debut studio album by New Zealand Group Smashproof. It was released on March 23, 2009- Track listing :- Chart procession :- References :* http://www.c4tv.co.nz/Music/Smashproof/tabid/940/language/en-US/Default.aspx... |
Awards and nominations
| Year | Type | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | New Zealand Music Awards 2009 New Zealand Music Awards The 2009 New Zealand Music Awards was the 44th holding of the annual ceremony featuring awards for musical artists based in or originating from New Zealand. Finalists for the three technical awards were announced on 6 August 2009, with winners announced on 2 September at the Langham Hotel.... |
Vodafone Single of the Year ("Brother Brother (Smashproof song) "Brother" is a single that was released by New Zealand hip-hop group Smashproof in early 2009. The song features Gin Wigmore. It was made as a metaphor to life in South Auckland. 'Brother' has proven to be very popular on the domestic music scene... ") (Smashproof Smashproof Smashproof is a New Zealand Hip hop/Rap male group. Smashproof consists of Young Sid, Tyree and Deach. They are best known for the single "Brother" which spent eleven consecutive weeks at number one on the New Zealand RIANZ singles chart in 2009. The song "Brother" features singer Gin Wigmore.The... featuring Gin Wigmore) |
|
| Highest Selling Single ("Brother Brother (Smashproof song) "Brother" is a single that was released by New Zealand hip-hop group Smashproof in early 2009. The song features Gin Wigmore. It was made as a metaphor to life in South Auckland. 'Brother' has proven to be very popular on the domestic music scene... ") (Smashproof Smashproof Smashproof is a New Zealand Hip hop/Rap male group. Smashproof consists of Young Sid, Tyree and Deach. They are best known for the single "Brother" which spent eleven consecutive weeks at number one on the New Zealand RIANZ singles chart in 2009. The song "Brother" features singer Gin Wigmore.The... featuring Gin Wigmore) |
|||
| 2010 | New Zealand Music Awards 2010 New Zealand Music Awards The 2010 New Zealand Music Awards was the 45th holding of the annual ceremony featuring awards for musical artists based in or originating from New Zealand. Finalists for the three technical awards were announced on 16 August 2010 with winners announced on 1 September, the date on which finalists... |
Vodafone's People's Choice Award | |
| Mazda Best Female Solo Artist | |||
| Vodafone Single of the Year ("Oh My Oh My (Gin Wigmore song) -Chart procession and certification:- Year-end charts :... ") |
|||
| Best Pop Album | |||
| Vodafone Album of The Year ("Holy Smoke") | |||
| Breakthrough Artist Of The Year | |||
| Highest Selling Album Holy Smoke |
Music videos
| Year | Title | Director(s) |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | "These Roses" | Special Problems |
| "Under My Skin" | Special Problems | |
| "S.O.S." | Dan Reisinger | |
| 2009 | "Brother" | Chris Graham |
| "Oh My" | Stuart Gosling | |
| "I Do" | Gemma Lee | |
| 2010 | "Hey Ho" | Moh Azima |
| "Too Late for Lovers" | ||
| 2010 | "Black Sheep" | Jason Hargreaves |