Passionate and sincere, Australian singer-songwriter Missy Higgins is a welcome relief in a music landscape littered with disposable pop. The 24-year-old Melbourne native has enjoyed phenomenal success, and a growing fanbase in the U.S., in spite of, or perhaps because she shuns the usual synthetic packaging and tabloid tackiness. Instead she's adopted a more timeless approach, relying on her undeniable songs and unforgettable live performances to forge a genuine connection with her audience.
Higgins began her music career singing standards with her older brother's band when she was just 13. She was thrust into the limelight in 2001 when she won a national songwriting competition run by an influential national alternative radio network while still in high school. Instead of capitalizing on the moment, she chose to backpack around Europe before returning home and releasing an eponymous EP that topped the indie charts in late 2003.
The following year, she released the Scar EP, which entered the charts at Number One, followed by the best-selling album The Sound of White, which was Australia's best-selling album of 2005.
Fortunately Higgins likes to write songs while she's on the road, so while touring behind The Sound Of White, she penned many of the tunes that would comprise her next album, and gradually honed them through live performances.
Higgins' latest album, On A Clear Night, retains the irresistible melodies and piercing lyrics of her critically lauded debut The Sound of White. The quiet strength of the new songs reflects Higgins' newfound confidence and changing worldview. As a star in Australia, she has grown up in public and On A Clear Night is the diary she's kept along the way.
On A Clear Night (certified triple platinum in Australia) was awarded the Highest Selling Australian album of 2007 and saw Missy crowned with yet another ARIA Award as the country's "Best Female Artist" for the second time.
Higgins began her music career singing standards with her older brother's band when she was just 13. She was thrust into the limelight in 2001 when she won a national songwriting competition run by an influential national alternative radio network while still in high school. Instead of capitalizing on the moment, she chose to backpack around Europe before returning home and releasing an eponymous EP that topped the indie charts in late 2003.
The following year, she released the Scar EP, which entered the charts at Number One, followed by the best-selling album The Sound of White, which was Australia's best-selling album of 2005.
Fortunately Higgins likes to write songs while she's on the road, so while touring behind The Sound Of White, she penned many of the tunes that would comprise her next album, and gradually honed them through live performances.
Higgins' latest album, On A Clear Night, retains the irresistible melodies and piercing lyrics of her critically lauded debut The Sound of White. The quiet strength of the new songs reflects Higgins' newfound confidence and changing worldview. As a star in Australia, she has grown up in public and On A Clear Night is the diary she's kept along the way.
On A Clear Night (certified triple platinum in Australia) was awarded the Highest Selling Australian album of 2007 and saw Missy crowned with yet another ARIA Award as the country's "Best Female Artist" for the second time.