Fiona Apple

[TrailerParkDarling 5,691]

 

Singer- songwriter Fiona Apple McAfee Maggart burst into the scene with her first commercial hit 'Criminal' in 1996. Her musical style is described as jazz/alternative rock.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FFOzayDpWoI

 

"Her songs are not afraid to get ugly, painful, and even in the most musically accessible moments, there's a touch of dissonance to make everything slightly uncomfortable." - Complex Magazine

 

Over the course of 17 years, Fiona Apple has released only four albums: 

 

Tidal (1996), When the Pawn... (1999), Extraordinary Machine (2005), and The Idler Wheel... (2012)

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BK30r_SIZ-g

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=beBGsee0WZo

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NbxqtbqyoRk

 

Although she is heavily regarded as a mysterious and reclusive person (she disappeared entirely from the entertainment scene for six years between her second and third albums), Fiona Apple is also known for her outspoken and unapologetic nature in her music and with the public. 

 

"This world is bullshit. And you shouldn't model your life over what we think is cool and what we're wearing and what we're saying and everything. Go with yourself." - Fiona Apple, accepting a MTV award in 1997

 

 

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GSLwYrPbuts

 

 

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tUsQX6ORrVg

 

 

 

For anyone who hasn't read it, I recommend reading her full Rolling Stone interview from 1998.  Even if you aren't a huge fan, it gives a lot of insight to Fiona's lyrics and complex personality.

 

(Trigger warning for anyone who chooses to read it)

 

http://www.neverisapromise.com/interviews/RSJan98.html

 

This article by Complex is great, as well

 

http://www.complex.com/music/2012/06/the-fearlessness-of-fiona-apple

[Madrigal 2,616]

I adore Fiona as much for her eccentricities as for her music, though I have only thoroughly adored 'The Idler Wheel'. It's one of the few albums that I care enough about to have spent money on a deluxe edition. Her voice is so unique, so spindly, often sounding like it's barely teetering on the edge of sanity as she ploughs her way through song after song. I wish she was a little less reclusive, a little more prolific, but in changing either aspect of her artistry, I feel like there would be something lost in the actual intricacies of what makes her Fiona. I was laughing out loud when I first read about her bell-ringing antics from a couple nights ago, and really hope some footage surfaces...that woman doing a backbend on a piano bench is at once both utterly unconceivable and thoroughly to be expected.

 

Her 'Hot Knife' and Beatles cover of 'Across the Universe' both have extraordinary videos, and both are directed by her now ex-boyfriend, Paul Thomas Anderson. I earnestly entreat everyone, even if you don't consider yourself a fan, to watch them...they both are perfectly executed, and I can honestly say that they number in a handful of videos I've actually had the patience to watch a full time through.  TPD, of course, already posted the latter, but here's the former:

'Hot Knife': 

 

In closing, I leave my readers' with two thoughts. 

From Pitchfork, in their recent article concerning her Louis Vuitton performance:

 

 

 Blame the fashion industry if Fiona Apple decides to go into hibernation for another seven years.

Finally, 

 

Oh, and I just wanted to ask if anyone else is incredibly reminded of Sky by her actions and mannerisms...of course, Sky is influenced by Fiona and not the other way around, but it's still surprising to me sometimes after watching Fiona speak, as per the infamous 1997 VMAs speech. 

[TrailerParkDarling 5,691]

I guess I should include this~ Fiona is nothing like Lana but she did stand up for her

 

http://www.muumuse.com/2012/06/fiona-apple-talks-new-album-lana-del-rey-to-interview-magazine-and-releases-new-song-werewolf.html/

 

I should also say that Fiona really hates the Criminal video and didn't want that to be her big hit, so if that's all you know of her definitely look into her other stuff.  The record label wanted her to be more like Alanis Morrisette and after Tidal Fiona completely did what she wanted.. (therefore, Tidal is v different from her other albums) she didn't want her career to become something based on a corporation or something she didn't believe in, I suppose.  I mean, look at those gaps in between her albums.  She has so much control over her music..look at the titles of her albums- "When the Pawn" set the record for longest album title, with 90 words. (She even shot the cover art for 'Extraordinary Machine' and drew the cover, a self portrait, for 'The Idler Wheel') In 2005, Epic wasn't going to release Extraordinary Machine because there wasn't a hit song on it.. but it mysteriously leaked online and actually got radio play and they were pretty much forced to. She basically has a label as a means to get her work widely distributed but it seems like there is always some sort of problem w/ releases, like apparently they backed out of promotion w/ "Dull Tool" which was used in the movie This is 40

 

Anyway, I am sad that it will probably be years til we get more stuff from her, especially because of what just happened at the Louis Vuitton show, but quality over quantity. 

[Guy 976]

Extraordinary machine/ the idler wheel> tidal

 

i love fiona!! she's one of my favorites along with regina and laura marling  cant wait for her next album in 20 years

[Cleopatra 1,099]

 

 

 

 

[Madrigal 2,616]

 

 

 

 

*Gushes hearts*

[Madrigal 2,616]

How adorable!

I hope the audio becomes available in HQ separately, and soon.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=lUtnas5ScSE

[Cleopatra 1,099]

Have y'all seen this? I <3 it. Watched it so many times.

 

https://vimeo.com/72162108

[Inuborg 66]

 

How adorable!

I hope the audio becomes available in HQ separately, and soon.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=lUtnas5ScSE

So eerie and slightly depressing..and Fiona really delivered with those vocals.

 

Fiona is in my top 5 artists she is just so amazing.

 

When the Pawn/Tidal > The Idler Wheel >>>>>>> Extraordinary Machine

[LastWordsNTime 259]

I love her! I love all four of her albums in a different way. Her voice and lyrics are just amazing. You feel all the emotions pouring through the songs. Great, great, great artist.

[TrailerParkDarling 5,691]

Fiona threw out a heckler at last night's show who said she unhealthy + she looked better when they saw her years ago.  Apparently Fiona was holding back tears through the final song ['Waltz'] 

 

I hate bad fans!!!!!!!!!! Don't come to a show to heckle!!! Don't berate a woman about her health when she has made her 20+ year battles w/ an ED, depression, etc. public!!!!

[Madrigal 2,616]

So sad about that, TPD.

 

Any way, on that less-than-lovely note, Pitchfork alerted us of a new song she did on her tour with Blake Mills!

It's really good, too. article

[LAman 3,223]

I guess I should include this~ Fiona is nothing like Lana but she did stand up for her

 

http://www.muumuse.com/2012/06/fiona-apple-talks-new-album-lana-del-rey-to-interview-magazine-and-releases-new-song-werewolf.html/

 

I should also say that Fiona really hates the Criminal video and didn't want that to be her big hit, so if that's all you know of her definitely look into her other stuff.  The record label wanted her to be more like Alanis Morrisette and after Tidal Fiona completely did what she wanted.. (therefore, Tidal is v different from her other albums) she didn't want her career to become something based on a corporation or something she didn't believe in, I suppose.  I mean, look at those gaps in between her albums.  She has so much control over her music..look at the titles of her albums- "When the Pawn" set the record for longest album title, with 90 words. (She even shot the cover art for 'Extraordinary Machine' and drew the cover, a self portrait, for 'The Idler Wheel') In 2005, Epic wasn't going to release Extraordinary Machine because there wasn't a hit song on it.. but it mysteriously leaked online and actually got radio play and they were pretty much forced to. She basically has a label as a means to get her work widely distributed but it seems like there is always some sort of problem w/ releases, like apparently they backed out of promotion w/ "Dull Tool" which was used in the movie This is 40

 

Anyway, I am sad that it will probably be years til we get more stuff from her, especially because of what just happened at the Louis Vuitton show, but quality over quantity. 

It's funny how the Criminal video does not really portray Fiona and her music the way she intended, it was just the idea of the director, but I love the video anyways. Sex sells, but I love all her music with or without a video. I really respect the fact that she doesn't care about becoming a big star, and she really cares about the music, which is something many artists lack today. I feel many artists try hard to become famous or well-known,but music should never be about that. Then again it's called a music industry for a reason; anyways, I'm happy for Fiona and her music.

[AKASAKA SAWAYAMA 7,884]

why this thread is not alive anymore? i love tidal so much. couldnt check her other records tho

[Moon Driver 226]

fucking love this woman! her music is pure freedom...

 

in love with this music 

[gloomyharlow 1,215]

Fiona is a genius. There are moments in Lana's music that reminds me of a beat that Fiona has done. Sad Girl comes to mind with the piano sound in the background. Love Fiona. Been a fan of hers right when she came out in the 96 when I was a teen. 

 

I remember buying Tidal in HMV under the 'Acid Jazz' section. Sad to say that store HMV no longer exists or any of those giant music stores.

 

I can't believe it's been 20 years. Lord I am old.

[cherryblossoms 10,417]

I'm in love with Carrion! I came across The Idler Wheel and eventually fell in love with her music, especially Tidal

[drewby 9,246]

does anyone have a DL for Tidal 

[AKASAKA SAWAYAMA 7,884]

does anyone have a DL for Tidal

check your PMs x

[gloomyharlow 1,215]

I hope she's working on some new music.