Kirsten Morrell Explained

Kirsten Morrell
Background:solo_singer
Alias:Kirsten Reade, Kirsten Reade-Morrell
Birth Place:Hampstead, London, England
Occupation:Singer-songwriter, opera singer
Instrument:Vocals, piano, guitar
Current Member Of:Goldenhorse
Associated Acts:Goldenhorse

Kirsten Morrell (born Kirsten Maccoll Reade; December 1974)[1] is a British-born New Zealand singer and songwriter, best known as the lead singer of the band Goldenhorse.

Morrell is a trained operatic singer and performed as a national singer in the New Zealand Opera for two years.[2] In the early 2000s, she found success fronting the pop group Goldenhorse, which debuted in 2002 with the chart topping album Riverhead. The band found continued success with the 2005 release of Out of the Moon, which also went platinum. In 2007 the band released their final album, Reporter, before entering a long hiatus.

Morrell recorded her first album as a solo artist in 2010 with the release of Ultraviolet, and returned to London to join the Crouch End Festival Chorus. Following the COVID-19 pandemic, Morrell began writing new solo material, and returned to New Zealand in anticipation of her 2024 upcoming sophomore album, Morellium.

Morrell has been an active spokesperson for equitable trade and environmental causes, including as an ambassador for Greenpeace, and backing campaigns by Fairtrade.[3] [4] In 2005, she sang and appeared in the music video for Greenpeace version of "Anchor Me", which peaked at 3 on the New Zealand charts.[5]

Biography

Morrell was born to Tricia Reade in London, England, and was raised in Hampstead.[6] Her parents eventually left London to start an organic farm in rural Cornwall, where Morrell spent the later part of her childhood.[7] Morrell and her family moved to New Zealand when she was 12,[8] uniting with her grandparents who lived in Taupō.[9]

Morrell attended Selwyn College in Auckland, receiving a music scholarship and classical training. In her teens, she began an English literature degree at the University of Auckland, which was put on hold until she returned to study at 24. She subsequently became a qualified yoga teacher, and in 2013, began studying an arts management masters at the Auckland University of Technology.

Career

Morrell has been involved in the music industry since the 90s, but has worked as a volunteer, a board member, executive and manager in various organizations, including People Tree, The Fair Trade Foundation, New Zealand Opera and Crouch End Festival Chorus, to name some.[10]

Morrell has been involved in the New Zealand Opera chorus for 12 years, performing as a core soprano.

1999–2007: Goldenhorse

Morrell formed Goldenhorse in 1999 with guitarist Geoff Maddock.[11] In 2002, Goldenhorse released Riverhead to commercial success, going 3x platinum and topping the New Zealand charts. The album was self-funded and had been recorded independently without a label, using money from Morrell's mother and equipment loaned from Tim Finn and Neil Finn. It was recorded on-and-off over a year, with most of the recording in a home studio in the Waitakere Ranges.[12] The success of the album subsequently lead to a record deal with Siren Records.

With the assistance of veteran producer Murray Grindlay, Goldenhorse followed-up in 2005 with Out of the Moon, which peaked at number 2 on the charts and went platinum. The band promptly began touring, including overseas in London.

In 2007 after returning from their UK tour, the band released Reporter to lackluster commercial sales, briefly entering the top 40 chart at 38.[13] Shortly after, Goldenhorse went on hiatus and has not reformed since, with the members moving on to different projects. In 2013, Morrell claimed not all members of the band got along with each other, but that she still considered Goldenhorse an "entity."

2010–2019: Ultraviolet and Crouch End Festival Chorus

In 2010, Morrell worked with producer Jol Mulhullond and released her debut solo album, Ultraviolet.[14] [15] It spent two weeks on the charts, peaking at 25, and was received with mixed reviews.[16] [17] [18]

Following the release of Ultraviolet, Morrell moved back to London, where she joined Crouch End Festival Chorus, a leading symphonic choir which has performed at the BBC Proms. She has appeared on several of their classical recordings.

2020–present: Solo return with Morrellium

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Morrell began writing new solo material. She returned to New Zealand and setup a home studio in Auckland, releasing "Strawberry Fool" in 2023.[19] She is currently working on her upcoming sophomore album, Morellium, which is being produced by Clint Murphy, who worked with Goldenhorse on Reporter.[20]

Personal life

Morrell has family from England and from New Zealand, the latter originating from Lyall Bay, Wellington. Morrell previously lived in Wellington and currently resides in central Auckland, but over the years has periodically lived in England pursuing music and opera.[21] She has an older sibling, Bryn, born two years earlier.[22]

In a 2013 interview, Morrell suggested that her success with Goldenhorse did not earn her much money, and that she was living in a rented home with three flatmates, stating "there are people who get paid to do their art, but I never seem to. At some point I was.''

Political views and advocacy

Morrell has been regularly involved in fair trade and environmental organisations, using her profile to support fundraisers and campaigns. She was an ambassador for Greenpeace New Zealand, and has attended various events and fundraisers for the organisation.[23] In 2005, she sang and appeared in the music video for Greenpeace's charity cover of "Anchor Me" which peaked at 3 on the New Zealand charts. Morrell has publicly opposed the mining of conservation land and the whaling industry.

In 2007, Morrell fronted a fundraising campaign by Oxfam in support of fair trade for coffee producers.[24] In 2009, Morrel participated in the Auckland supercity hikoi protests.

Morrell has been a supporter of Fair Trade Auckland and was actively involved in the organisation in the early 2010s, including as a signature collector for campaigns to support Auckland becoming a fair trade city.

In 2014, Morrell worked at a call center for the "Get Out and Vote" campaign organised by the Council of Trade Unions.[25]

Discography

Albums

Singles

As featured artist

Notes and References

  1. Web site: FreeBMD Entry Info (Kirsten Reade) . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240821081454/https://www.freebmd.org.uk/cgi/information.pl?scan=1&r=253837465:5871&d=bmd_1721815511 . 21 August 2024 . 2024-08-21 . www.freebmd.org.uk.
  2. Web site: Steel . Gary . 24 June 2010 . The Kirsten Morrell Interview . 2024-08-04 . Witchdoctor . en.
  3. Web site: 8 September 2013 . Goldenhorse girl, interrupted . 2024-08-17 . Stuff.
  4. Web site: 2 June 2017 . Kirsten Morrell . 18 August 2024 . Good Magazine.
  5. Web site: charts.org.nz - Greenpeace - Anchor Me . 2024-08-21 . charts.nz.
  6. Web site: Coom . Pippa . 2012-05-11 . Fair Trade Auckland - we did it . 2024-08-21 . Pippa Coom . en-US.
  7. Web site: 13 November 2023 . Kirsten Morrell (ex-Goldenhorse) releases 'Harry' from forthcoming album 'Morrellium' . 2024-08-17 . www.muzic.net.nz.
  8. Web site: Yeoman . Paula . 4 May 2010 . Kirsten's Golden Journey . 2024-08-21 . NZ Herald . en-NZ.
  9. Web site: 8 November 2023 . Goldenhorse singer-songwriter Kirsten Morrell shares her favourite travel memories . 2024-08-04 . NZ Herald . en-NZ.
  10. Web site: Reade . Kirsten . Kirsten Reade LinkedIn . 18 August 2024 . LinkedIn.
  11. Web site: Goldenhorse . 2024-08-17 . NZ On Screen . en.
  12. Web site: Steel . Gary . 17 September 2013 . Goldenhorse . 2024-08-17 . AudioCulture . en.
  13. Web site: Reporter - Goldenhorse - Top 40 Albums . 2024-08-17 . www.muzic.net.nz.
  14. Web site: Kirsten Morrell - New Zealand Musicians & Bands . 2024-08-17 . www.muzic.net.nz.
  15. Web site: Bond . Tracey . 26 May 2010 . Kirsten Morrell on solo life . 2024-08-17 . Stuff.
  16. Web site: Kirsten Morrell - Ultraviolet . 2024-08-17 . charts.nz.
  17. Web site: O'Neill . Shea . 17 June 2010 . Kirsten Morrell Ultraviolet . 2024-08-17 . Sideroom . en-US.
  18. Web site: 26 May 2010 . CD review: Kirsten Morrell's Ultraviolet . 2024-08-17 . Stuff.
  19. Web site: Morrell . Kirsten . 19 December 2023 . Songwriter's Choice: Kirsten Morrell . 2024-08-17 . AudioCulture . en.
  20. Web site: 2023-09-19 . Kirsten Morrell – Strawberry Fool: 13th Floor New Song Of The Day - The 13th Floor . 2024-08-17 . 13thfloor.co.nz . en-NZ.
  21. Web site: 2023-12-15 . Music 101 Live Session: Kirsten Morrell . 2024-08-17 . RNZ . en-nz.
  22. Web site: FreeBMD Entry Info (Bryn Reade) . 2024-08-21 . www.freebmd.org.uk.
  23. Web site: 20 October 2010 . Kirsten Morrell at Rainbow Warrior III Auction in Auckland . 18 August 2024 . Greenpeace.
  24. Web site: 24 April 2007 . The dish: Goldenhorse singer does her fair share for coffee . 2024-08-21 . NZ Herald . en-NZ.
  25. Web site: 17 September 2014 . Parties' final push: Getting punters out to vote . 2024-08-17 . NZ Herald . en-NZ.
  26. Web site: TV2 Song: I'm Free . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20120418010536/http://tvnz.co.nz/tv2/song-i-m-free-4666903 . 18 April 2012 . TVNZ.
  27. Web site: Anchor Me Music Video . 2024-08-21 . NZ On Screen . en.