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Heather Russell

In 2000, a talented singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist welcomed his daughter into the world.  This daughter would quickly demonstrate qualities of a musical prodigy, spending the next twelve years transforming into the “stunning” artist she is today.  Since age nine, Heather Russell—Los Angeles-based recording artist—has been on a whirlwind journey, breaking into the music industry, and captivating fans and high-level music industry professionals along the way.

Heather was immersed in music since day one.  At one-year-old, she began “toddling” into her father’s studio to get a chance to sing. By three, Heather could “double” her own voice perfectly, to the wonderment of those around her.  At six, Heather’s mother was amazed to discover that her little girl had perfect pitch, could vocalize complex semitone runs, and sing in vibrato.  With this discovery, the family began to understand just how special her gift was.   It came as no real surprise when Heather taught herself how to play the piano at eight, composing her first complete song, “Beautiful”.  Her father only had to tell her once to play what “[sounded] right,” and to his joy, Heather’s ear proved a reliable guide.  Soon after, father and daughter were writing and producing songs together.   The songwriting skills Heather was acquiring alongside her father proved an invaluable resource in keeping her family together and jump starting her career.  At nine, Heather’s once-happy family life began to deteriorate.  Her father struggled with addiction and her mother considered divorce.  As an urgent plea to her mother and father, Heather wrote a song called “Listen Up,” which helped save their marriage.   “Listen Up” also attracted the attention of Rob Fusari (Beyoncé, Lady Gaga, Whitney Houston) and A&R Executive, Simon Cowell.

When Cowell first heard “Listen Up” he was beyond “moved”. Cowell jumped into action and personally began working to promote Russell’s early career, helping to groom her for the next stages of her career.  It wasn’t until the age of 10 that Heather began working with a professional music teacher.  In this setting, she blossomed, quickly mastering a five-year music course of classical exercises in one year, astounding her teachers.   On Valentine’s Day, 2010, MSNBC played the “Listen Up” video, prompting tweets from celebrities like Ashton Kutcher and Demi Moore. The buzz grew as viewers searched the internet for all of Heather’s music. In 2011, the family relocated to Los Angeles to chase Heather’s musical dream.  Since then, Heather’s singing has amassed a legion of fans on-line.  She has also written and co-written all of the radio-ready songs she sings, songs that have captivated the world.  Heather has even written for major recording labels, most recently, penning a song for Jimmy Iovine for Interscope Records.

Today, 12-year-old Heather Russell has penned 60 songs, 40 of which have been produced.  She has collaborated with a number of other artists, including several Grammy winners.  Inspired by artists as diverse as Alicia Keys, Justin Timberlake, Queen, Bruno Mars and Adele, Heather has been able to stylize these musical influences into a sound that is all her own.  Here are some standouts in her already substantial catalog: the epic cry of devotion, “Crazy Glue”; the aching “I Can’t Call Your Name”; the Beatles-meet-R&B ode, “Made of Love”; the delicate, devastated  “She Needs Love”; the Motown-inflected “Don’t Know What Ya Got”; the pounding anthem “Where Is Your Heart?”; and the wistful, playfully romantic “Radio Flyer”.

With such an impressive “start” it’s hard to believe she is only 12.  Heather Russell’s boundless talent is assurance that her music career is just beginning.

 

www.officialheatherrussell.com

www.twitter.com/russellheather

 

DELUX Magazine
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