Queensberry (band)
Encyclopedia
Queensberry is an all-female
German
pop group
, founded in late-2008. Formed during the seventh season of the German version of the international television talent show Popstars
, Popstars - Just 4 Girls
, the original line-up consisted of singers Leonore Bartsch (Leo), Gabriella De Almeida Rinne (Gabby), Antonella Trapani (Anto), and Victoria Ulbrich (Vici). On 7 July 2010, it was announced that both Antonella and Victoria had left the group, to be replaced by new members, Selina Herrero and Ronja Hilbig.
The band's debut album Volume I was released in December 2008 and reached gold status
in Germany. It produced the two singles No Smoke
and I Can't Stop Feeling
, both becoming top thirty successes in the charts. In February 2008, Queensberry served as the opening act
for the Pussycat Doll's World Domination Tour
in selected European countries. In November 2009, the second studio album On My Own
was released.
For the soundtrack of the film Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel
, Queensberry recorded The Song
with The Chipettes
in December 2009, which reached number 6 in the U.S. Billboard charts, with the film soundtrack reaching number 1 in the U.S. soundtrack charts.
series, entitled Popstars - Just 4 Girls, which set about producing a four-piece girl group
, following the initial success of previous all-female Popstars acts such as the No Angels
(2000) and Monrose
(2006). No stranger to Popstars, Leonore Bartsch, who originates from Cologne
, had already taken part in the Monrose season
and was the last contestant to leave before the finale. In June and July 2008, over 2,300 hopefuls turned up to open auditions in Dortmund
, Dresden
, Hamburg
and Rust
which required both singing and dancing experience. The judges consisted of dancer and choreographer
Detlef Soost
, Dutch singer Loona
and German rapper Sido
. Danish singer Kate Hall
served as this season's vocal coach
.
After numerous elimination rounds, sixteen candidates flew to Sharm El Sheik, Egypt
, where they intensified their training in singing, dancing, and fitness. In the end, twelve girls made it into the band house near Munich
, of which six started work on the band's debut album. Beforehand, the top eight contestants, as Popstars: Just 4 Girls
, released the single I Believe In X-Mas promoted with a music video. Leo, German-Brazilian Gabriella De Almeida Rinne, who originates from Berlin
, and Victoria Ulbrich, all managed to make it into the Queensberry line-up prior to the season's live finale in Hilversum
, Netherlands
, with all of them having won special stage performances, even though Victoria had had to go into hiatus for four weeks due to her mother's sudden death. Fourth member, Swiss-born, German-Italian, Antonella, was not announced until 18 December, when the show was resumed, based on her having sold most of her version of the group's debut album Volume I (which had been released in three different versions, a week prior to the finale, and featuring one finalist each) and her winning a public televoting
over fellow campaigners Patricia Ivanauskas and Katharina Kobert (KayKay). Ironically, although each of the Queensberry girls had already performed together with all of their future bandmates (varying from duets to quartets), at some point throughout the season, it had never happened that all four of them made up one working group together. However, a couple of times, three of the future band members were featured in one quartet, but then with either Leo or Antonella not being part of it.
sub-label Starwatch Music. In January 2009, the album Volume I was certified gold by the IFPI
, and in February, the band released their first main single, a double A-single consisting of the ballad I Can't Stop Feeling
and their promotional song No Smoke
- a cover version of the 2008 record by Canadian Idol
winner Eva Avila
. The single has also been covered by Nicki French
. The song reached a moderate number 23 on the German Singles Chart, the lowest-chart peak for any Popstars
winner's debut single, while No Smoke
made it to the top thirty in Switzerland
based on downloads only. In February 2009, the band served as the official opening act
of the Pussycat Doll's World Domination Tour
in selected European countries such as Austria, Germany and the Netherlands. In June the same year, a deluxe edition of Volume I was released featuring additional tracks (including the Too Young
single) and remixes.
On 6 May 2009, it was announced that the group was working on its second studio album. The track list included their previous summer song-single called Too Young
, the second album's first single Hello (Turn Your Radio On) and one song, which was performed live by former Popstars - Just 4 Girls
participant Patricia, called Scandalous. The album was released on 6 November 2009, with its promotional single Hello (Turn Your Radio On) released on 23 October 2009. This album was planned to be the band's first US-album. On 18 June 2010, the girls released two new songs as the soundtrack for the Hanni und Nanni movie, while their record contract with Warner Music in Germany was discontinued.
singer from Bad Kreuznach
in Germany, who first hit the German single charts in 2008 with Don’t Be Shy and You Can’t Stop Me, and Ronja Hilbig, a singer from Hamburg
, who had played the role of Nala in the German version of the musical The Lion King
and had been a member of Die Lollipops
, were brought in as new members. The first appearance of the new quartet was scheduled for 15 July 2010 on VIVA Live. The group made plans to shoot a reality show called A Day in the Life of Queensberry to be shown all over the USA. In October 2010, the group recorded its earlier single I Can't Stop Feeling in Spanish as Yo No Puedo Vivir Sin Ti. The song, written by Teemu Brunila and Kid Crazy, and adapted for Spanish by José Valdes, was first performed on VIVA Live. On 3 December 2010, Queensberry announced it would make a label change and release an album in 2011. During spring and summer of 2011, the group performed throughout Germany on their Pink Chocolate Tour.
As supporting act
Girl group
A girl group is a popular music act featuring several young female singers who generally harmonise together.Girl groups emerged in the late 1950s as groups of young singers teamed up with behind-the-scenes songwriters and music producers to create hit singles, often featuring glossy production...
German
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
pop group
Pop group
Pop group may refer to:* a band that plays some genre of popular music* a band that plays pop music * The Pop Group, a British post-punk band* Pop! , a 2000s UK pop group...
, founded in late-2008. Formed during the seventh season of the German version of the international television talent show Popstars
Popstars
Popstars is an international reality television franchise and a precursor to the Idol series. The series first began in New Zealand in 1999 when producer Jonathan Dowling formed the five member all-girl group TrueBliss...
, Popstars - Just 4 Girls
Popstars - Just 4 Girls
Popstars - Just 4 Girls is the seventh season of Popstars , in which young aspiring female singers/dancers compete in order to claim their spots to make it into the next girl group...
, the original line-up consisted of singers Leonore Bartsch (Leo), Gabriella De Almeida Rinne (Gabby), Antonella Trapani (Anto), and Victoria Ulbrich (Vici). On 7 July 2010, it was announced that both Antonella and Victoria had left the group, to be replaced by new members, Selina Herrero and Ronja Hilbig.
The band's debut album Volume I was released in December 2008 and reached gold status
Gold
Gold is a chemical element with the symbol Au and an atomic number of 79. Gold is a dense, soft, shiny, malleable and ductile metal. Pure gold has a bright yellow color and luster traditionally considered attractive, which it maintains without oxidizing in air or water. Chemically, gold is a...
in Germany. It produced the two singles No Smoke
I Can't Stop Feeling
"I Can't Stop Feeling" is the first single by the German band Queensberry. It was released as a double A-side, backed with their 2008 promotional debut single "No Smoke".-Formats and track listings:...
and I Can't Stop Feeling
I Can't Stop Feeling
"I Can't Stop Feeling" is the first single by the German band Queensberry. It was released as a double A-side, backed with their 2008 promotional debut single "No Smoke".-Formats and track listings:...
, both becoming top thirty successes in the charts. In February 2008, Queensberry served as the opening act
Opening act
An opening act or warm-up act is an entertainer or entertainment act that performs at a concert before the featured entertainer...
for the Pussycat Doll's World Domination Tour
World Domination Tour
The Doll Domination Tour is the second concert tour by American girl group Pussycat Dolls to support their second studio album Doll Domination. The tour reached Europe, Asia and Oceania...
in selected European countries. In November 2009, the second studio album On My Own
On My Own (Queensberry album)
On My Own is the second studio album by all-female German pop group Queensberry, it was released by Warner Music Group in November 2009 in German-speaking Europe. This was the last album to feature the group's original line-up...
was released.
For the soundtrack of the film Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel
Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel
Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel is a 2009 American comedy film directed by Betty Thomas. The film stars Zachary Levi, David Cross, Jason Lee, and the voices of Justin Long, Jesse McCartney, Matthew Gray Gubler, Christina Applegate, Amy Poehler, and Anna Faris...
, Queensberry recorded The Song
Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack is the licensed soundtrack based on the 2009 film Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel...
with The Chipettes
The Chipettes
The Chipettes are a fictional group of anthropomorphic chipmunk singers first appearing on the cartoon series Alvin and the Chipmunks in 1983. In this and related materials, the Chipettes served as female featured characters in their own right, starring in numerous episodes...
in December 2009, which reached number 6 in the U.S. Billboard charts, with the film soundtrack reaching number 1 in the U.S. soundtrack charts.
Formation on Popstars
The Queensberry members were selected on the ProSieben channel's seventh installment of the PopstarsPopstars (Germany)
Popstars is a German reality television series that began its first installment on the RTL2 network on November 14, 2000. Part of the international Popstars franchise, it originated from the same-titled New Zealand reality program....
series, entitled Popstars - Just 4 Girls, which set about producing a four-piece girl group
Girl group
A girl group is a popular music act featuring several young female singers who generally harmonise together.Girl groups emerged in the late 1950s as groups of young singers teamed up with behind-the-scenes songwriters and music producers to create hit singles, often featuring glossy production...
, following the initial success of previous all-female Popstars acts such as the No Angels
No Angels
The No Angels are an all-female pop trio from Germany, consisting of band members Lucy Diakovska, Sandy Mölling, and Jessica Wahls. Critically acclaimed, the band has won dozen of awards and prizes since their establishment in the early 2000s, including three ECHOs, a World Music Awards, a NRJ...
(2000) and Monrose
Monrose
Monrose was a German pop band, first established in November 2006. Formed on the fifth installment of the German adaption of the international television talent show Popstars on the ProSieben network, the trio consisted of singers and songwriters Mandy Capristo, Senna Guemmour, and Bahar...
(2006). No stranger to Popstars, Leonore Bartsch, who originates from Cologne
Cologne
Cologne is Germany's fourth-largest city , and is the largest city both in the Germany Federal State of North Rhine-Westphalia and within the Rhine-Ruhr Metropolitan Area, one of the major European metropolitan areas with more than ten million inhabitants.Cologne is located on both sides of the...
, had already taken part in the Monrose season
Popstars - Neue Engel braucht das Land
Popstars - Neue Engel braucht das Land was a new installment of the Popstars themed Neue Engel braucht das Land which started airing on 10 August 2006...
and was the last contestant to leave before the finale. In June and July 2008, over 2,300 hopefuls turned up to open auditions in Dortmund
Dortmund
Dortmund is a city in Germany. It is located in the Bundesland of North Rhine-Westphalia, in the Ruhr area. Its population of 585,045 makes it the 7th largest city in Germany and the 34th largest in the European Union....
, Dresden
Dresden
Dresden is the capital city of the Free State of Saxony in Germany. It is situated in a valley on the River Elbe, near the Czech border. The Dresden conurbation is part of the Saxon Triangle metropolitan area....
, Hamburg
Hamburg
-History:The first historic name for the city was, according to Claudius Ptolemy's reports, Treva.But the city takes its modern name, Hamburg, from the first permanent building on the site, a castle whose construction was ordered by the Emperor Charlemagne in AD 808...
and Rust
Rust
Rust is a general term for a series of iron oxides. In colloquial usage, the term is applied to red oxides, formed by the reaction of iron and oxygen in the presence of water or air moisture...
which required both singing and dancing experience. The judges consisted of dancer and choreographer
Choreography
Choreography is the art of designing sequences of movements in which motion, form, or both are specified. Choreography may also refer to the design itself, which is sometimes expressed by means of dance notation. The word choreography literally means "dance-writing" from the Greek words "χορεία" ...
Detlef Soost
Detlef Soost
Detlef Soost , also using the name D! , most often called Detlef D! Soost, is a German dancer and choreographer.-Life and work:...
, Dutch singer Loona
Loona
Marie-Jose van der Kolk also known by her stage names Loona and Carisma, is a Dutch singer, songwriter and dancer. She is most noted for her collaboration with DJ Sammy, and performing as a duo under the stage name of DJ Sammy feat. Carisma...
and German rapper Sido
Sido (rapper)
Paul Hartmut Würdig , better known as Sido, is a German rapper.The name "Sido" is an abbreviation which stands for "superintelligentes Drogenopfer" or "Scheiße in dein Ohr" in earlier times.Würdig distinguishes himself by using provocative and aggressive lyrics...
. Danish singer Kate Hall
Kate Hall
Kate Hall is an American television soap opera writer. She started working in 2007. She is the daughter of veteran soap opera writer Courtney Simon.-Positions held:All My Children* Script Writer: August 16, 2007–present...
served as this season's vocal coach
Vocal coach
A vocal coach is a music teacher who instructs singers on how to improve their singing technique, take care of and develop their voice, and prepare for the performance of a song or other work. Vocal coaches may give private music lessons to singers, or they may coach singers who are rehearsing on...
.
After numerous elimination rounds, sixteen candidates flew to Sharm El Sheik, Egypt
Egypt
Egypt , officially the Arab Republic of Egypt, Arabic: , is a country mainly in North Africa, with the Sinai Peninsula forming a land bridge in Southwest Asia. Egypt is thus a transcontinental country, and a major power in Africa, the Mediterranean Basin, the Middle East and the Muslim world...
, where they intensified their training in singing, dancing, and fitness. In the end, twelve girls made it into the band house near Munich
Munich
Munich The city's motto is "" . Before 2006, it was "Weltstadt mit Herz" . Its native name, , is derived from the Old High German Munichen, meaning "by the monks' place". The city's name derives from the monks of the Benedictine order who founded the city; hence the monk depicted on the city's coat...
, of which six started work on the band's debut album. Beforehand, the top eight contestants, as Popstars: Just 4 Girls
Popstars (Germany)
Popstars is a German reality television series that began its first installment on the RTL2 network on November 14, 2000. Part of the international Popstars franchise, it originated from the same-titled New Zealand reality program....
, released the single I Believe In X-Mas promoted with a music video. Leo, German-Brazilian Gabriella De Almeida Rinne, who originates from Berlin
Berlin
Berlin is the capital city of Germany and is one of the 16 states of Germany. With a population of 3.45 million people, Berlin is Germany's largest city. It is the second most populous city proper and the seventh most populous urban area in the European Union...
, and Victoria Ulbrich, all managed to make it into the Queensberry line-up prior to the season's live finale in Hilversum
Hilversum
is a municipality and a town in the Netherlands, in the province of North Holland. Located in the region called "'t Gooi", it is the largest town in that area. It is surrounded by heathland, woods, meadows, lakes, and smaller villages...
, Netherlands
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
, with all of them having won special stage performances, even though Victoria had had to go into hiatus for four weeks due to her mother's sudden death. Fourth member, Swiss-born, German-Italian, Antonella, was not announced until 18 December, when the show was resumed, based on her having sold most of her version of the group's debut album Volume I (which had been released in three different versions, a week prior to the finale, and featuring one finalist each) and her winning a public televoting
Televoting
Televoting, telephone voting or phone voting is a method of decision making and opinion polling conducted by telephone. Televoting can also extend to voting by SMS text message via a mobile cell phone.- Broadcast contest televoting :...
over fellow campaigners Patricia Ivanauskas and Katharina Kobert (KayKay). Ironically, although each of the Queensberry girls had already performed together with all of their future bandmates (varying from duets to quartets), at some point throughout the season, it had never happened that all four of them made up one working group together. However, a couple of times, three of the future band members were featured in one quartet, but then with either Leo or Antonella not being part of it.
2008-2009: Albums - Volume 1 and On My Own
With the final members of the group in place, the quartet signed a recording contract with Warner Music GroupWarner Music Group
Warner Music Group is the third largest business group and family of record labels in the recording industry, making it one of the big four record companies...
sub-label Starwatch Music. In January 2009, the album Volume I was certified gold by the IFPI
IFPI
The International Federation of the Phonographic Industry is the organisation that represents the interests of the recording industry worldwide. It is a not-for-profit members' organisation registered in Switzerland...
, and in February, the band released their first main single, a double A-single consisting of the ballad I Can't Stop Feeling
I Can't Stop Feeling
"I Can't Stop Feeling" is the first single by the German band Queensberry. It was released as a double A-side, backed with their 2008 promotional debut single "No Smoke".-Formats and track listings:...
and their promotional song No Smoke
I Can't Stop Feeling
"I Can't Stop Feeling" is the first single by the German band Queensberry. It was released as a double A-side, backed with their 2008 promotional debut single "No Smoke".-Formats and track listings:...
- a cover version of the 2008 record by Canadian Idol
Canadian Idol
Canadian Idol is a Canadian reality television competition show which aired on CTV, based on the British show Pop Idol. The show was a competition to find the most talented young singer in Canada, and was hosted by Ben Mulroney. Jon Dore was the "roving reporter" for the first three seasons...
winner Eva Avila
Eva Avila
Eva Avila is a singer and songwriter. She won the fourth season of the CTV reality show Canadian Idol in 2006.-Early life:...
. The single has also been covered by Nicki French
Nicki French
Nicola S. French is a female English singer and dancer. She is best known for her 1995 dance cover version of "Total Eclipse of the Heart", and for representing the United Kingdom in 2000 at Eurovision in Stockholm.-Career:French provided backing vocals on Rose-Marie's 1992 album, Emotional Exposure...
. The song reached a moderate number 23 on the German Singles Chart, the lowest-chart peak for any Popstars
Popstars
Popstars is an international reality television franchise and a precursor to the Idol series. The series first began in New Zealand in 1999 when producer Jonathan Dowling formed the five member all-girl group TrueBliss...
winner's debut single, while No Smoke
I Can't Stop Feeling
"I Can't Stop Feeling" is the first single by the German band Queensberry. It was released as a double A-side, backed with their 2008 promotional debut single "No Smoke".-Formats and track listings:...
made it to the top thirty in Switzerland
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
based on downloads only. In February 2009, the band served as the official opening act
Opening act
An opening act or warm-up act is an entertainer or entertainment act that performs at a concert before the featured entertainer...
of the Pussycat Doll's World Domination Tour
World Domination Tour
The Doll Domination Tour is the second concert tour by American girl group Pussycat Dolls to support their second studio album Doll Domination. The tour reached Europe, Asia and Oceania...
in selected European countries such as Austria, Germany and the Netherlands. In June the same year, a deluxe edition of Volume I was released featuring additional tracks (including the Too Young
Too Young (Queensberry song)
"Too Young" is the second single released by the German popband Queensberry. Written and composed by Eric Palmqvist and Kid Crazy, produced by Kid Crazy and Pete Kirtley for the Deluxe Edition of Queensberry's debut studio album Volume I, it was released as the band's second single on 22 May in...
single) and remixes.
On 6 May 2009, it was announced that the group was working on its second studio album. The track list included their previous summer song-single called Too Young
Too Young (Queensberry song)
"Too Young" is the second single released by the German popband Queensberry. Written and composed by Eric Palmqvist and Kid Crazy, produced by Kid Crazy and Pete Kirtley for the Deluxe Edition of Queensberry's debut studio album Volume I, it was released as the band's second single on 22 May in...
, the second album's first single Hello (Turn Your Radio On) and one song, which was performed live by former Popstars - Just 4 Girls
Popstars (Germany)
Popstars is a German reality television series that began its first installment on the RTL2 network on November 14, 2000. Part of the international Popstars franchise, it originated from the same-titled New Zealand reality program....
participant Patricia, called Scandalous. The album was released on 6 November 2009, with its promotional single Hello (Turn Your Radio On) released on 23 October 2009. This album was planned to be the band's first US-album. On 18 June 2010, the girls released two new songs as the soundtrack for the Hanni und Nanni movie, while their record contract with Warner Music in Germany was discontinued.
2010-Present: Line-up Changes
On 7 July 2010, the group announced on its website that Anto and Vici had both departed from the group. http://www.queensberry.de/news/2010-07-07/nachricht-von-queensberry Selina Herrero, a German-SpanishSpanish people
The Spanish are citizens of the Kingdom of Spain. Within Spain, there are also a number of vigorous nationalisms and regionalisms, reflecting the country's complex history....
singer from Bad Kreuznach
Bad Kreuznach
Bad Kreuznach is the capital of the district of Bad Kreuznach, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany. It is located on the Nahe river, a tributary of the Rhine...
in Germany, who first hit the German single charts in 2008 with Don’t Be Shy and You Can’t Stop Me, and Ronja Hilbig, a singer from Hamburg
Hamburg
-History:The first historic name for the city was, according to Claudius Ptolemy's reports, Treva.But the city takes its modern name, Hamburg, from the first permanent building on the site, a castle whose construction was ordered by the Emperor Charlemagne in AD 808...
, who had played the role of Nala in the German version of the musical The Lion King
The Lion King (musical)
The Lion King is a musical based on the 1994 Disney animated film of the same name with music by Elton John and lyrics by Tim Rice along with the musical score created by Hans Zimmer with choral arrangements by Lebo M. Directed by Julie Taymor, the musical features actors in animal costumes as well...
and had been a member of Die Lollipops
Die Lollipops
Die Lollipops is a children's band which formed in Germany in the summer of 2000 under the Edelkids label, a subsidiary of Edel Music. - Music :Their music can be divided into three basic types:...
, were brought in as new members. The first appearance of the new quartet was scheduled for 15 July 2010 on VIVA Live. The group made plans to shoot a reality show called A Day in the Life of Queensberry to be shown all over the USA. In October 2010, the group recorded its earlier single I Can't Stop Feeling in Spanish as Yo No Puedo Vivir Sin Ti. The song, written by Teemu Brunila and Kid Crazy, and adapted for Spanish by José Valdes, was first performed on VIVA Live. On 3 December 2010, Queensberry announced it would make a label change and release an album in 2011. During spring and summer of 2011, the group performed throughout Germany on their Pink Chocolate Tour.
Discography
- 2008: Volume I (album)
- 2009: On My OwnOn My Own (Queensberry album)On My Own is the second studio album by all-female German pop group Queensberry, it was released by Warner Music Group in November 2009 in German-speaking Europe. This was the last album to feature the group's original line-up...
(album)
Tours
- 2011: Pink Chocolate Tour (17 June-3 September)
As supporting act
- 2009: The Pussycat Dolls: World Domination TourWorld Domination TourThe Doll Domination Tour is the second concert tour by American girl group Pussycat Dolls to support their second studio album Doll Domination. The tour reached Europe, Asia and Oceania...
(9–23 February 2009)
External links
- Queensberry.de — official website