NEW YORK, NY. (Top40 Charts/ Universal Motown Records) - Universal Motown Recording Artist,
Gin Wigmore has announced the release of her eagerly anticipated debut EP, 'EXTENDED PLAY' - which features the single, 'These Roses' - arrived in stores and at digital retailers on Tuesday, January 20th.
The Auckland, New Zealand-born Wigmore has already drawn ecstatic acclaim for her uniquely powerful voice and provocative, deeply personal songwriting. Having made waves at home, Wigmore has now begun to reap similar praise here in the US. In its 'Six Who'll Sizzle' tally of 2009's top new artists, the New York Post hailed Gin's 'melodic yet raspy cigarettes 'n' whiskey voice' and 'smart songs that�work in either a coffeehouse or an arena,' adding that 'there's an intangible honesty in her music - you can't help but believe that she's already lived the events in her songs.'
'I try not to think too much about where my voice comes from,' Wigmore says. 'I'm channeling characters and emotion to come up with beautiful words that tell a story.'
'Hallelujah,' the poignant centerpiece of 'EXTENDED PLAY,' was written shortly after her father's death from cancer. Though only 16 at the time, Wigmore masterfully articulated her grief and longing into song. In 2004, Gin entered 'Hallelujah' in the prestigious International Songwriting Competition and soon triumphed over 11,000 songwriting aspirants from 77 countries to become the youngest and only unsigned Grand Prize winner in the contest's history.
Highlighted by Gin's distinctive vocal delivery and irresistible melodies like the joyous 'S.O.S.' (featuring John Butler of the John Butler Trio on ukulele), 'EXTENDED PLAY' proved a sensation upon its initial 2008 release, prompting the Sydney Daily Telegraph to proclaim it 'one of the most stunning debut EPs ever�a star is born.' The EP reached the top 10 in Wigmore's native New Zealand, where the 22-year-old singer/songwriter recently blew away packed houses as support to Sheryl Crow and John Mellencamp.
Perez Hilton was one of the first US tastemakers to rave about Gin, 'This blonde from new Zealand reminds us of a few of our favorite artists - like Skybox, Joel Plaskett Emergency and Macy Gray. Her voice is quirky and intoxicating, her tunes fun and charming'. There's more to come in 2009 for Wigmore, look for her full-length debut album later this year.
