On January 31st, 2012 LANA DEL REY released the darkly glamorous “Born To Die”. The album debuted at #1 on iTunes in eighteen countries and has since totaled well over a million in sales worldwide.
After having only debuted her home made clip for the single ‘Video Games’ the previous June DEL REY’s year was a tornado of activity, touring and media commitments around the globe forcing the newly famous glamour girl to postpone her first Australian tour. Secret Sounds is thrilled to make good on the promise of the 25 year old chanteuse’s visit, with an appearance at Splendour In The Grass and a handful of intimate theatre shows.
With YouTube views of ‘Video Games’ climbing over the 32 million mark, LANA DEL REY might be mistaken as an overnight sensation. However, DEL REY, nee Lizzy Grant, started her musical journey after moving to NYC as a teenage university student. Already immersed in Beat poet Allen Ginsberg, whose lush wordplay and dark irreverent work remain a keystone for much of her lyrics, DEL REY began honing her lush romantic sound playing acoustic sets in the Big Apple. Her performance debut came at an open mic night in Williamsburg.
It was around this time that the young Lizzy Grant decided to reinvent herself “It’s nice to be able to try and build the life you want for yourself,” she says. “You have to be brave and try to start again. It might be a little scary. Not many people say let’s start life over and do it again the way I want to… I wanted a name I could shape the music towards.”
“A delicious hybrid of Portishead and Nancy Sinatra.”
***** Independent on Sunday
“Brilliantly realized.”
BBC Music
In addition to her visual flair, “Born To Die”s cinematic quality is also due to DEL REY’s affinity for classic arrangements. Her ability to fuse mannered torch song balladry with hip-hop bravado imbues the music with a sense of drama that feels familiar yet new.
“The most compelling new pop star around: half doomed romantic, half mordant cynic, with a distinctively conflicted vision of how love, fame and America work.”
Q Magazine
Now boasting accolades across the world including Best International Breakthrough Artist at the Brit Awards DEL REY has graced the covers of UK Vogue, Wonderland, Interview, NME, Q and Billboard with TV performances including Later… With Jools Holland, Late Show with David Letterman and Jimmy Kimmel.
DEL REY is currently finalizing her 2012 tour plans, as her loyal fan base grows worldwide. For the 25-year-old it’s an overnight success eight years in the making. Be sure to catch her at these very special sideshows.
“Born To Die” is out now through UMA.
Secret Sounds Presents
LANA DEL REY
With special guests to be announced
Presented by triple j, Vogue, vogue.com.au, Channel [V] and The Vine
Tickets on sale Friday 4 May
Monday 23 July – Palace Theatre, Melbourne
Tuesday 24 July – Palace Theatre, Melbourne
Thursday 26 July – Enmore Theatre, Sydney
Friday 27 July – Enmore Theatre, Sydney
Tickets from: ticketek.com.au & 132 849
lanadelrey.com