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Amy Jane Studt (, born 22 March 1986) is a British singer, songwriter and musician from
London London is the Capital city, capital and List of urban areas in the United Kingdom, largest city of both England and the United Kingdom, with a population of in . London metropolitan area, Its wider metropolitan area is the largest in Wester ...
. Growing up in a musical family, with her father a violinist and conductor who had toured with
Roy Orbison Roy Kelton Orbison (April 23, 1936 – December 6, 1988) was an American singer, songwriter, and guitarist known for his distinctive and powerful voice, complex song structures, and dark, emotional ballads. Orbison's most successful periods were ...
, and her mother a pianist, Studt began writing music at the age of six, teaching herself piano, guitar, and oboe. At 12 years old she contracted the rare bone disease
osteomyelitis Osteomyelitis (OM) is the infectious inflammation of bone marrow. Symptoms may include pain in a specific bone with overlying redness, fever, and weakness. The feet, spine, and hips are the most commonly involved bones in adults. The cause is ...
in her hip, leaving her bedridden. Studt used this time for her hobbies, and two years later, with the advice of her father, she recorded her first two demo albums which would go on to get her signed to
Polydor Polydor Limited, also known as Polydor Records, is a British record label that operates as part of Universal Music Group. It has a close relationship with Universal's Interscope Geffen A&M Records label, which distributes Polydor's releases in ...
. Studt released her first single " Just a Little Girl" in July 2002. The single peaked at number 14 on the UK Singles Chart. It was followed almost a year later by " Misfit", which came to be her highest-charting single, peaking at number six on the UK Singles Chart. That same month, her debut album '' False Smiles'' was released, selling over 260,000 copies and being certified Gold. Two more singles were released, " Under the Thumb" in late 2003 and " All I Wanna Do" (a cover of the tune by
Sheryl Crow Sheryl Suzanne Crow (born February 11, 1962) is an American singer-songwriter, musician, and actress. She is noted for her Optimism, optimistic and Idealism, idealistic subject matter, and incorporation of genres including Rock music, rock, Po ...
) in early 2004, but only to diminishing sales that prompted
Polydor Polydor Limited, also known as Polydor Records, is a British record label that operates as part of Universal Music Group. It has a close relationship with Universal's Interscope Geffen A&M Records label, which distributes Polydor's releases in ...
to drop Studt in February 2004, all before her 18th birthday. From then on until the end of 2006, Studt stayed out of the public eye. But in 2007 it was announced that she was working on a new album, now with the Indie label
19 Entertainment 19 Entertainment Inc. is a producer of entertainment properties for television with a focus on music owned by Sony Pictures Television through its nonfiction division. Founded by Simon Fuller in London in 1985, the company co-produced '' Pop Ido ...
. She released her first single "
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", followed by " Chasing the Light"; and the album, '' My Paper Made Men'', was issued on 5 May 2008. In early 2009, Studt moved to
New York City New York, often called New York City (NYC), is the most populous city in the United States, located at the southern tip of New York State on one of the world's largest natural harbors. The city comprises five boroughs, each coextensive w ...
; on her return, she began building a recording studio and continued writing and recording. She went quiet from 2009 to 2017, after suffering a nervous breakdown at 22 years old and being diagnosed with rapid-cycling bipolar disorder and a non-associative anxiety disorder, along with other physical illnesses during her 20s. After three hospitalizations and recovery from addiction, Studt wrote about her experiences with suffering, illness and heartbreak, ‘...but ultimately survival and hope’ which she explains she put into her songwriting for her third album. In 2017, Studt announced she had been working with Toby Kid from Hatcham Social and released two teaser songs from her soon to come third album, "I Was Jesus in Your Veins" and "Different Colour Pills". The album itself, titled ''Happiest Girl in the Universe'', was released in October 2019.


History

Studt was born in
London London is the Capital city, capital and List of urban areas in the United Kingdom, largest city of both England and the United Kingdom, with a population of in . London metropolitan area, Its wider metropolitan area is the largest in Wester ...
. Growing up in
Bournemouth Bournemouth ( ) is a coastal resort town in the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole unitary authority area, in the ceremonial county of Dorset, England. At the 2021 census, the built-up area had a population of 196,455, making it the largest ...
,
Dorset Dorset ( ; Archaism, archaically: Dorsetshire , ) is a Ceremonial counties of England, ceremonial county in South West England. It is bordered by Somerset to the north-west, Wiltshire to the north and the north-east, Hampshire to the east, t ...
, she started having lessons on the piano, guitar and learning the
oboe The oboe ( ) is a type of double-reed woodwind instrument. Oboes are usually made of wood, but may also be made of synthetic materials, such as plastic, resin, or hybrid composites. The most common type of oboe, the soprano oboe pitched in C, ...
. Studt's father is a violinist and a conductor who has worked with artists including Roy Robinson,
Shirley Bassey Dame Shirley Veronica Bassey (; born 8 January 1937) is a Welsh singer. Known for her career longevity, powerful voice and recording the James Bond music, theme songs to three James Bond films - the only artist to officially perform more than o ...
and
The Beatles The Beatles were an English Rock music, rock band formed in Liverpool in 1960. The core lineup of the band comprised John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr. They are widely regarded as the Cultural impact of the Beatle ...
(either touring or recording) and has featured in several films, while her mother is a pianist. In the 1800s, the Studt family brought to the United Kingdom (from
Denmark Denmark is a Nordic countries, Nordic country in Northern Europe. It is the metropole and most populous constituent of the Kingdom of Denmark,, . also known as the Danish Realm, a constitutionally unitary state that includes the Autonomous a ...
) one of the first steam-run travelling funfairs, The Studt Funfair, which included music, rides, a
freak show A freak show is an exhibition of biological rarities, referred to in popular culture as "Freak, freaks of nature". Typical features would be physically unusual Human#Anatomy and physiology, humans, such as those uncommonly large or small, t ...
, and a circus with lion tamers; they were, and still are, a highly regarded showmen family. They were of
German German(s) may refer to: * Germany, the country of the Germans and German things **Germania (Roman era) * Germans, citizens of Germany, people of German ancestry, or native speakers of the German language ** For citizenship in Germany, see also Ge ...
and Danish extraction. Amy's father Richard started playing violin at the age of four, and later rejected the family's funfair business to choose a life of music, meeting Amy's mother Delia at Southampton University and going on to lead the
London Symphony Orchestra The London Symphony Orchestra (LSO) is a British symphony orchestra based in London. Founded in 1904, the LSO is the oldest of London's orchestras, symphony orchestras. The LSO was created by a group of players who left Henry Wood's Queen's ...
. Amy struggled with depression, self-harm and being bullied during her teenage years, struggling at school; she attended five different schools before dropping out entirely, at the age of 15, to pursue her music. Her depression led to being diagnosed with
chronic fatigue syndrome Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) is a disabling Chronic condition, chronic illness. People with ME/CFS experience profound fatigue that does not go away with rest, as well as sleep issues and problems with memory ...
. At the age of 13, Amy attended
Bryanston School Bryanston School is a Public school (United Kingdom), public school (English Private schools in the United Kingdom, private boarding school, boarding and day school for pupils aged 13–18) located next to the village of Bryanston, and near the ...
,
Dorset Dorset ( ; Archaism, archaically: Dorsetshire , ) is a Ceremonial counties of England, ceremonial county in South West England. It is bordered by Somerset to the north-west, Wiltshire to the north and the north-east, Hampshire to the east, t ...
on a 50% music scholarship by which time Studt had written 42 songs. Her father suggested she record some in a local studio and, she laid them all down live to tape. She gave or sold the finished CD to various friends, with one reaching
Simon Fuller Simon Robert Fuller (born 17 May 1960) is a British entrepreneur, artist manager, and film and television producer. He is the creator of the Idols (franchise), ''Idols'' TV format, including the British series ''Pop Idol'' and the American ser ...
(manager of
Annie Lennox Ann Lennox (born 25 December 1954) is a Scottish singer-songwriter, political activist and philanthropist. After achieving moderate success in the late 1970s as part of the new wave band the Tourists, she and fellow musician Dave Stewart w ...
, the
Spice Girls The Spice Girls are an English girl group formed in 1994, consisting of Mel B ("Scary Spice"), Melanie C ("Sporty Spice"), Emma Bunton ("Baby Spice"), Geri Halliwell ("Ginger Spice"), and Victoria Beckham ("Posh Spice"). They have sold over 10 ...
and
Amy Winehouse Amy Jade Winehouse (14 September 1983 – 23 July 2011) was an English singer, songwriter, musician, and businesswoman. With over 30 million records sold worldwide, she was known for her deep, expressive contralto vocals and her eclectic mix ...
among others) who signed her that same year to both his own 19 Management and to
Sony BMG Sony BMG Music Entertainment was an American record company owned as a 50–50 joint venture between Sony Corporation of America and Bertelsmann. The venture's successor, the revived Sony Music, is wholly owned by Sony, following their buyout o ...
Publishing.


2002–2004: ''False Smiles''

In 2001, Studt was signed to
Polydor Records Polydor Limited, also known as Polydor Records, is a British record label that operates as part of Universal Music Group. It has a close relationship with Universal's Interscope Geffen A&M Records label, which distributes Polydor's releases in ...
and
Universal Records Universal Music Group N.V. (often abbreviated as UMG and referred to as Universal Music Group or Universal Music) is a Netherlands, Dutch–United States, American multinational Music industry, music corporation under Law of the Netherlands, ...
at the age of 15, and delivered her debut album that same year. In July 2002, Studt released her first single, " Just a Little Girl", which entered the UK charts at No. 14. In June 2003, Studt released her second single " Misfit", which made it to a chart position of No. 6 in the UK. Alongside the success of "Misfit" was the release of Studt's debut album '' False Smiles'', which entered the chart at No. 24 and later climbed to its peak position of No. 18, going Gold in the UK and selling over 260,000 copies. September 2003 saw the release of the third cut from the album, " Under the Thumb". This became her second Top 10 and third Top 20 single, entering at No. 10, which also helped push the album to a peak of No. 18. ''False Smiles'' was re-released at the beginning of 2004, adding one new track: a cover of the
Sheryl Crow Sheryl Suzanne Crow (born February 11, 1962) is an American singer-songwriter, musician, and actress. She is noted for her Optimism, optimistic and Idealism, idealistic subject matter, and incorporation of genres including Rock music, rock, Po ...
classic, " All I Wanna Do" on request of Crow herself who sang the backing vocals. The single peaked at No. 21 and subsequently, Studt was dropped from her record label
Polydor Polydor Limited, also known as Polydor Records, is a British record label that operates as part of Universal Music Group. It has a close relationship with Universal's Interscope Geffen A&M Records label, which distributes Polydor's releases in ...
.


2007–2009: ''My Paper Made Men''

In early 2006, after some time away from the public eye, Studt signed to the indie label
19 Entertainment 19 Entertainment Inc. is a producer of entertainment properties for television with a focus on music owned by Sony Pictures Television through its nonfiction division. Founded by Simon Fuller in London in 1985, the company co-produced '' Pop Ido ...
. She also toured with
Razorlight Razorlight are an English indie rock band, formed in 2002 in London by lead singer and guitarist Johnny Borrell. Along with Borrell, the current line-up of the band is composed of founding members Björn Ågren on guitar and bassist Carl Dalem ...
under the alias 'Jane Wails', saying: ' I was quite frightened of getting on stage and people having preconceived ideas of what I was about. I didn't want them saying, " Ooh, isn't she that girl from before, blah blah blah?'". "
Furniture Furniture refers to objects intended to support various human activities such as seating (e.g., Stool (seat), stools, chairs, and sofas), eating (table (furniture), tables), storing items, working, and sleeping (e.g., beds and hammocks). Furnitur ...
", a single taken from the album '' My Paper Made Men, ''was released on 3 December 2007. Studt worked on the title song with
Imogen Heap Imogen Jennifer Jane Heap ( ; born 9 December 1977) is an English musician, singer, songwriter, record producer, and entrepreneur. She is considered a pioneer in pop music, particularly electropop, and in music technology. While attending the ...
collaborator
Guy Sigsworth Allan Arthur Guy Sigsworth (born May 1960) is an English record producer and songwriter. He has worked with many artists, including Seal, Björk, Goldie, Madonna, Britney Spears, Kate Havnevik, Imogen Heap, Bebel Gilberto, Mozez, David Sylvian ...
, and her new songs received rave reviews. The ''LA Times'' wrote: 'Positively incandescent torch-singing Londoner with a hair-raising emotional range that varies from cut-glass fragility to cat-o'-nine-tails avenger' suggesting that listeners should "ignore any dim memories of her mid-teens pop phase
rom Rom, or ROM may refer to: Biomechanics and medicine * Risk of mortality, a medical classification to estimate the likelihood of death for a patient * Rupture of membranes, a term used during pregnancy to describe a rupture of the amniotic sac * ...
a while ago."'''' " Chasing the Light" was the next single, released on 28 April 2008. The album '' My Paper Made Men'' was released as a digital download on 5 May that year, and physically on 2 March 2009, along with the third single, " Nice Boys". It was then made public in April that Studt was dropped by her record label, and she chose to then leave her management shortly after.


2009–present: third studio album

In 2017, Studt took part in a panel at AIM'S Indie-Con, discussing mental health within the music industry; she spoke openly about how in 2009, after moving back from
New York City New York, often called New York City (NYC), is the most populous city in the United States, located at the southern tip of New York State on one of the world's largest natural harbors. The city comprises five boroughs, each coextensive w ...
, she suffered a nervous breakdown at 22 years old and was diagnosed with rapid-cycling
bipolar disorder Bipolar disorder (BD), previously known as manic depression, is a mental disorder characterized by periods of Depression (mood), depression and periods of abnormally elevated Mood (psychology), mood that each last from days to weeks, and in ...
. During a hospitalization that followed, she found that they had a piano, so she continued to write whilst inside. In 2015, Studt announced that she had been working on a new album with Toby Kid from indie pop band Hatcham Social, and in 2017 she released a teaser single of two songs with Ditto Music as the first two released tunes from her soon to come third album: "I Was Jesus in Your Veins" and "Different Colour Pills". The eventual album, titled ''Happiest Girl in the Universe'', was ultimately released in October 2019.


Discography


Albums


Singles


References


External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Studt, Amy 1986 births Living people 21st-century English women singers 21st-century English singers English child singers British singer-songwriters People educated at Bryanston School Musicians from Bournemouth 19 Recordings artists British pop singers British pop rock singers British people of Danish descent British people of German descent People with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome Musicians from the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham People from Hammersmith People with bipolar disorder