Fiona Apple

FHsC...wktn

4 Feb 2024

Fiona Apple

Fiona Apple McAfee-Maggart, born on September 13, 1977, is an American singer-songwriter known for her distinctive voice and introspective lyrics. She released five albums between 1996 and 2020, all of which achieved success on the U.S. Billboard 200 chart.

Born in New York City to actor Brandon Maggart, Fiona Apple grew up shuttling between her mother's home in New York and her father's in Los Angeles. She received classical piano training as a child and began composing her own songs at the age of eight.

Her debut album, "Tidal," released in 1996, contained songs written during her teenage years and earned her a Grammy Award for Best Female Rock Vocal Performance for the single "Criminal." Her sophomore effort, "When the Pawn..." (1999), produced by Jon Brion, was also critically acclaimed and commercially successful, achieving Platinum certification.

For her third album, "Extraordinary Machine" (2005), Apple reunited with Brion to begin recording in 2002. However, she was dissatisfied with the production and chose not to release the record initially, leading to protests from fans who believed Epic Records was withholding its release. Eventually, the album was re-produced without Brion and released in October 2005, receiving Gold certification and a Grammy nomination for Best Pop Vocal Album.

In 2012, Fiona Apple released her fourth studio album, "The Idler Wheel...", which garnered critical acclaim and earned her a Grammy nomination for Best Alternative Music Album in 2013. She followed this with a tour of the United States.

Her fifth studio album, "Fetch the Bolt Cutters," arrived in 2020 to widespread acclaim. The album earned two Grammy Awards: Best Alternative Music Album and Best Rock Performance for the lead single "Shameika," solidifying Apple's reputation as a respected and innovative artist in the music industry.

Fiona Apple's entry into the music industry traces back to 1994 when she shared a demo tape featuring songs like "Never Is a Promise," "Not One of Those Times," and "He Takes a Taxi" with her friend, who happened to be the babysitter for music publicist Kathryn Schenker. Schenker, impressed by the demo, passed it along to Sony Music executive Andy Slater.

Andy Slater recognized Apple's talent and signed her to a record deal with Sony Music. This marked the beginning of Apple's journey as a professional musician and paved the way for her debut album, "Tidal," which was released in 1996. The album garnered critical acclaim and commercial success, establishing Apple as a significant voice in the alternative music scene of the 1990s.

Fiona Apple's debut album, "Tidal," released in 1996, reflected the emotional turmoil following her breakup with her first boyfriend. The album achieved significant success, selling 2.7 million copies and earning triple Platinum certification in the United States. Its single "Criminal" became a hit, reaching the Top 40 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100, accompanied by a controversial music video directed by Mark Romanek.

Apple's acceptance speech for the MTV Video Music Award for Best New Artist at the 1997 ceremony garnered attention for its candidness and defiance against conformity. She expressed her views on individuality and authenticity, urging people to be true to themselves rather than conforming to societal expectations.

Following the release of "Tidal," Apple encountered personal challenges and canceled tour dates due to family issues. In 1997, she began a relationship with director Paul Thomas Anderson, which influenced her second album, "When the Pawn...," released in 1999. The album, produced by Jon Brion, showcased more expressive lyrics and experimental sounds, though it didn't match the commercial success of her debut. Despite equipment issues during a 2000 performance, Apple continued to pursue her musical career and eventually relocated to Los Angeles, where she remains based.

During her hiatus, Fiona Apple considered stepping away from her recording career but remained active through various collaborations. One notable collaboration was with Johnny Cash on a cover of Simon & Garfunkel's "Bridge over Troubled Water," featured on his album "American IV: The Man Comes Around." This rendition earned a Grammy Award nomination for "Best Country Collaboration with Vocals." Additionally, Apple collaborated with Cash on Cat Stevens's "Father and Son," which appeared on his 2003 compilation album "Unearthed." These collaborations allowed Apple to stay connected to music during her hiatus and showcase her talent in different contexts.

Fiona Apple's third album, "Extraordinary Machine," underwent a complex production process. Initially produced by Jon Brion, recording sessions began in 2002 and continued until 2003. However, the album faced delays and leaks, with tracks appearing online in MP3 format in 2004 and 2005. Despite fan campaigns supporting its release, the album's fate remained uncertain.

Mike Elizondo, who had worked on Apple's previous album, was brought in as co-producer to complete tracks started with Brion. Contrary to rumors, it was Apple's decision, not her label's, to rework the album. Production was largely redone by Elizondo and co-produced by Brian Kehew, with only a few tracks remaining relatively unchanged. The album's release was eventually scheduled for October 2005.

"Extraordinary Machine" debuted at number seven on the charts and was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Pop Vocal Album. Despite its critical acclaim, the album's singles failed to chart significantly. Apple embarked on a live tour in late 2005 to promote the album, demonstrating her resilience amid the challenges of its production and release.