Hello everyone! I hope that you’ve all had a fabulous week! I’m writing this all cuddled up in a fluffy blanket with a glass of NZ Syrah in hand because it is completely freezing in Auckland tonight! Rain, thunder, the real deal! Brrrrr! Since we chatted last I have been doing a wee bit of globe-trotting (or Pacific-trotting anyway) spending time in Fiji and in Sydney, and so I have lots to tell you! First of all, Fiji. Oh my gosh. I wish that I could go to Fiji once a month! It was so warm, relaxing and beautiful, and I had a great holiday. It’s been a pretty hectic six months so I felt that I really needed a bit of a break, especially because I’ve been quite sick with asthma and a sinus infection. A couple of days of R&R in the Pacific were truly wonderful and I feel very lucky that I could get away. I wish I could’ve taken you all with me! After my getaway in Fiji I headed to Sydney for a few days of meetings with my manager, publicist and record label. I was lucky to get in because of the ash cloud, and my flight was about 4 hours delayed (although we still arrived in Sydney within an hour of our original arrival time which still baffles me!) but once I got there I had a great whirlwind couple of days. My lovely manager is based in Sydney, so it was wonderful to catch up with her! We caught up with EMI Australia and chatted about a number of exciting things (as always, I promise I’ll tell you all about them when I’m allowed!) then we spent some time with my lovely publicist and finally we got down to the important business… shopping! I didn’t go too crazy this time, but I do love David Jones. Especially the food hall! Do you know that they make the most INCREDIBLE yogurt in the world? My favourite is a tie between passionfruit-banana and apple crumble (yogurt, that is). Yum! And that’s about it for now. In other very important news, it is my birthday in just over a week, which is quite terrifying and very exciting at the same time. I don’t know whether it’s just me but turning 22 feels like I’m a ‘real’ grown-up now. Gosh! Have a wonderful end-of-June and start-of-July y’all! Speak soon! Elizabeth xx
Hello everyone! I’m sitting here writing this in front of the fire with my beautiful three-legged black Labrador at my feet. She lives with my Mum and Dad, so I haven’t seen her for quite a while. There’s something really comforting about a snoring Labby, although she’s got this habit of actually lying ON your feet, so I’m starting to get pins and needles. It’s been quite a busy few weeks! University exams are quickly approaching, although I did something really, um, clever and managed to withdraw from the wrong paper, so this time round I don’t have any exams! I pulled out of two papers earlier this semester because it was just a bit much while I was releasing my record and touring around the country with the NZSO and I stupidly withdrew from the wrong paper. So I was busily working away on my two remaining papers when I thought that I’d better check on my exam details. I then discovered that I’d been writing assignments and studying for a paper that I’d withdrawn out of and I was still enrolled in a paper that I hadn’t completed any assignments for! Drama! Totally typical though, I’m pretty absent-minded sometimes. So the outcome of all that was that I had to withdraw out of three papers this semester, which was pretty annoying. I’m just so hugely glad that I didn’t do all of the study and show up for the exam of a paper that I wasn’t any longer enrolled in. I think I would’ve cried had that happened! But on the bright side, I finished my last assignment for my one remaining paper on Wednesday, so it’s officially holiday time for me! Yay! Earlier this week I had the pleasure of working with the wonderful Monty Adams again. Monty is the photographer who shot all of the album artwork for ‘Home’ and who shot the cover image for my first eponymous record too. I think that Monty is incredible and I always have such a blast working with him. He has an amazing understanding of natural light and although he makes me do some pretty crazy things he always comes up with some awesome shots. Our most recent shoot saw us head to Takapuna beach where both the sun and the icy winter wind were out in force. I was just glad to stay out of the water, as the last shoot I did with Monty ended up with me in the water at Lake Tarawera at the beginning of September being bitten alive by mosquitoes! But, true to form, even if I was ready to kill him by the time I finally got onto dry land, those were also some pretty amazing shots too! Thankfully there were no water shots this time, and I had lots of fun. Next week sees me heading to Fiji for a few days holiday. I am so hugely excited about spending some time recharging my batteries in the sun! I plan to soak up the sun, build a few sand castles, read books, listen to lots of music and maybe even go snorkelling! After Fiji I head to Sydney to meet up with my wonderful manager and my record label to begin discussing a few things for later this year. Exciting times ahead! And with that, because my feet have now completely gone to sleep and I’m going to have to figure out how to shift Lace without waking her up, I’m going to sign off! I hope that this finds you all well! Elizabeth x
Hi everyone!
Still in my mind this week (and I’m sure in the minds of most New Zealanders) is the catastrophic Christchurch earthquake of February 22. On Sunday the 22nd of May, however, we had an opportunity to come together and make a real difference for the people of Canterbury. The Rise-Up Telethon was by all accounts a huge success: 2.5 million raised through a television and live-stream broadcast.
I was honoured to sing the New Zealand anthem to open the event, and it was a very poignant moment for me, perhaps more so because I was actually filmed on-location in Christchurch. It was the first time that I had been to Christchurch since the earthquake and my heart broke a couple of times as we drove around the cordons and into the city. At one point I was mid-conversation only to be struck completely speechless by a crumbling and broken church. It was incredible speaking to some of the locals who, though surrounded by devastation, were incredibly upbeat and positive, committed to staying in Christchurch and dealing with the aftershocks the best they could. It’s always a special moment when I get to sing the anthem, but this one was something quite different, and I will never forget it. Kia kaha, Otautahi (be strong, Christchurch).
Over and out for now. Peace and love to y’all!
Elizabeth x
Finally this blog is going live and viral! I’ve become so used to this whole facebook/twitter/ping thing that blogging seems like a complete luxury. What? I can say whatever I like, not have to worry about annoying @ tags and there’s no character limit!? Amazing.
It has been a relatively crazy couple of months. So much has happened, but I won’t bore you with the full lowdown, I’ll pick a couple of highlights. First there was the release of my second album ‘Home’ and the associated madness in February, then I organised the ‘To Christchurch With Love’ concert with a fabulous team of production people and an amazing bunch of artists, and most recently I’ve been on tour with the NZSO.
Releasing ‘Home’ was a blast really. Now that I’ve had a little bit of time to reflect on it all I am starting to see just how huge the journey between the two records has been. It was so exciting being able to talk about my time in the studio with the incredible Grammy-nominated Nick Patrick (Gipsy Kings, Mory Kante, Katherine Jenkins, Russell Watson) who, in case you’re wondering, is completely awesome and one of the most lovely human beings I’ve ever had the pleasure of meeting. I’m hoping that Nick and I might get to talk about the next album soon…. but that might be pre-empting things a bit. Still, a girl can dream!
‘To Christchurch With Love’ was one of those moments when I felt like the rug had been pulled out from underneath me. I was just so completely floored by the huge amount of love in the room for our Christchurch brothers and sisters. I’m sure that every New Zealander will agree that the earthquake has (well, literally, bad pun coming up…) shaken us to our very core. I still can’t quite believe what has happened to our beautiful Christchurch, and every time I hear a report of a particularly vicious after-shock my heart jumps straight into my throat. To be able to raise over 100K for Christchurch was just really wonderful and I am so thankful to all of the production crew, event sponsors and donors, artists and, of course, the audience. I just hope that we can all continue to do our bit for Christchurch.
Then, of course, we had the NZSO tour. What an incredible privilege. We all know that these guys are amazing, world-class musicians, but I can now spill the beans and I’m happy to report that they are also just the coolest bunch of people. The ‘Home’ tour was my first ever headline tour and a few days before we got underway I was completely freaking out. I was so nervous that every time I thought about walking out on stage I nearly started having palpitations! Everyone on the tour was just so supportive and once I had my first show under my belt I could truly appreciate how lucky I was to be on tour with such a wonderful group of people. So thanks so much to the NZSO!!! I hope that we can do it again sometime soon!
That’s about all for now, folks! I will be keeping up to date with this blog, however, so stay tuned for more chat-time coming your way! Lots of exciting things in the pipeline. I can’t talk about them yet, but as soon as I can I promise I’ll be sharing them with you!
Take care everyone! Have a fabulous week! Also, to keep up to date on a daily basis, join me on facebook, twitter and ping. I’m loving the social media thing at the moment! Gosh, aren’t we getting so modern!
Elizabeth xx
The ravishing beauty of Elizabeth Marvelly’s voice is destined to bring her to the forefront of international popularity. Elizabeth has forged a unique musical identity re-uniting popular and classical traditions in a refreshing crossover style, drawing an ever-growing worldwide audience to her concerts and recordings. Well-known to audiences in New Zealand though concerts and television, Elizabeth’s appearances in association with Paul Potts in concerts throughout Asia and Europe have brought her to global attention, and the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra is proud to be associated with this rising young star.
Teaming up with Grammy-nominated producer Nick Patrick and the doyen of the art of crossover music, Carl Doy - Musical Director of Dancing with the Stars - Elizabeth’s career is set to enter a new phase of stylistic originality and popular appeal. Elizabeth’s concerts with the NZSO showcase her unique artistry and immense personal charm in an inspired blend of popular classics and originals, promising an evening lustrous with glamour and transfixing beauty.
Tickets available soon from Ticketmaster and the Rotorua Convention Centre.
After three years of international touring, Elizabeth Marvelly is back and about to launch a new album in her hometown.
Now 21, the Kiwi songstress returns to Rotorua and New Zealand with an album made after what Marvelly described as “whirlwind experiences” of international touring.
Marvelly took to the stage in 2006. She recorded her debut album in 2007 and toured Australasia in 2008 and Europe in 2009 with Britain’s Got Talent opera phenomenon Paul Potts.
Marvelly said her musical life had been a “wonderful ride” with highlights that included performing to crowds in the millions at prestigious venues including the Royal Albert Hall and the Sydney Opera House.
Now Marvelly is back with her second album Home.
The album was recorded with the Grammy-nominated and Brit-award-winning UK producer Nick Patrick.
Marvelly said Home was an album that reflected her love of her country and an admiration of New Zealand songwriters.
Marvelly penned the opening and title songs on the album but the album mainly consists of re-interpreted songs accompanied by the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra.
It features versions of Don’t Dream It’s Over by Crowded House and Welcome Home by Dave Dobbyn.
It also has renditions of traditional Maori songs E Papa and Tarakihi.
Marvelly is performing at Rotorua’s Civic Theatre on February 14 as part of the album tour.
She is also having a launch party for the album in Rotorua on February 15.
The album will be in stores on February 21 and tickets for the February 14 show are available from Ticketmaster.
