CALGARY-BORN, KIESZA CLAIMS HUGE #1 IN THE UK WITH “HIDEAWAY”
CALGARY-BORN, KIESZA CLAIMS HUGE #1 IN THE UK WITH “HIDEAWAY” SINGER SMASHES INTO THE UK CHARTS WITH THE FASTEST-SELLING DEBUT SINGLE OF 2014
CLICK TO WATCH THE ONE-TAKE VIDEO FOR “HIDEAWAY” (filmed by Kiesza’s brother Blayre Ellestad)
Calgary-born, Kiesza has claimed her first UK #1 single ever and it’s a big one, leading the charts by nearly double. “Hideaway” showed early signs of success, quickly becoming a darling of the critics while clearly connecting with the UK public, rocketing to #1 on the iTunes chart and hitting the top spot of the Shazam chart for six weeks running. Inspired by epic nights out at NYC hotspots like Body & Soul and Libation, this 25-year-old’s debut is packed with deep house grooves and shimmering, soulful melodies. Though the newly-minted star may appear an overnight success, Kiesza has been at it since she was 17 and is now an in-demand songwriter. Kiesza studied music at both B.C.’s Selkirk College and on scholarship at the renowned Berklee College of Music in Boston. She did ballet for more than a decade and was a former tall-ship sailor, during which time Kiesza learned guitar and was encouraged by mates to pursue her natural instinct as a musician. Kiesza also found herself breaking code for the Royal Canadian Navy, who attempted to recruit her as a sniper, though Kiesza chose to set her targets on her passion for music, and hit a bull’s-eye right out of the gate. “Being number one is the most amazing feeling ever,” Kiesza told OfficialCharts.com. “I just want to say thank you to everybody who’s supported it. I never expected this at all when I created ‘Hideaway’; it’s amazing to see people come out of the woodwork and fall in love with it, so thank you!” The one-take, self-directed video for “Hideaway” – shot on the streets of Williamsburg, Brooklyn by her brother – highlights Kiesza’s spectacular dance skills and background as a trained ballerina. Shaped by the dance battles of New York City nightlife, the video emulates the best of 90s street dancing and club jams, to early Madonna throwback. Influenced by the dance floor-dominating voices that she idolized as a child, Kiesza now pays homage to those singers — Michael Jackson, Martha Wash, CeCe Peniston and Robin S – while adding more recent influences like Disclosure and Hot Natured to conjure an irresistible hybrid pop sensibility. Kiesza is set to play a number of festivals, including Glastonbury, Wireless, The Great Escape, Lovebox and Bestival. Expect her album this fall. “It explores very soulful music and it explores the whole ‘90s era,” she says.kiesza.com facebook.com/kiesza twitter.com/kiesza instagram.com/kiesza “Hideaway” on iTunes “Hideaway” on Amazon