Everything Is Recorded, Florence + The Machine, and Sampha

Biography

Florence Welch, born on 28 August 1986 in London, England, is the lead vocalist and primary songwriter of the indie rock band Florence + the Machine, formed in 2007 as a collaboration with keyboardist Isabella 'Isa Machine' Summers. An art college dropout from Camberwell, Welch was discovered singing Motown covers, including Etta James' 'Something’s Got a Hold on Me,' in a nightclub restroom, which led to her manager and early opportunities. She initially performed with Summers under the name Florence Robot & Isa Machine in small London venues, evolving from a private joke into the band's name after Welch shortened it for her first gig. Prior to the band's debut, Welch recorded with the group Ashok, releasing an album titled Plans that included an early version of 'Kiss with a Fist.'

Fun Facts

• The band name 'Florence + the Machine' originated as a private joke between Florence Welch and Isabella Summers, starting as 'Florence Robot & Isa Machine' before being shortened just before Welch's first gig because the full name was too long.
• Welch was discovered drunk in a nightclub restroom singing an Etta James cover, which immediately won her a manager and launched her career.
• Welch's mother is a professor of Renaissance Studies, and her father worked in advertising with arts involvement, inspiring her romantic, dramatic performance style reminiscent of Renaissance artists.
• The band's debut album Lungs (2009) sold over 100,000 copies in its first weeks and held the UK number 2 spot for five consecutive weeks.

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• Isabella Summers - Primary collaborator and co-founder, nicknamed 'Isa Machine' who shaped early songwriting and production (Early demos as Florence Robot & Isa Machine, debut album Lungs (2009)) [2006-2007 onward]
• Etta James - Major vocal and stylistic inspiration discovered via impromptu performance (Cover of 'Something’s Got a Hold on Me' led to discovery) [Early 2000s]
• Kate Bush - Key musical influence on songwriting style with metaphorical, story-driven lyrics (Influenced overall baroque pop and art pop sound) [Childhood influences]

Key Collaborators

• Isabella Summers - Keyboardist and co-founder, essential to band formation (Florence + the Machine albums including Lungs (2009)) [2007-present]
• Robert Ackroyd - Guitarist and core band member (All major albums) [2007-present]
• Tom Monger - Harpist contributing to signature baroque pop sound (Lungs (2009) and subsequent albums) [2007-present]
• Christopher Lloyd Hayden - Drummer, percussionist, and backing vocalist (Core band albums) [2007-present]
• Mark Saunders - Bassist and percussionist (Core band albums) [2007-present]

External Links

• Spotify
• Wikipedia