Wallis Bird is this years winner of the 2fm Hope for 2009 award.

Here, we honour her greatness and offer you an insight into the lady we reckon is set to rock some worlds in 2009.

Wallis Bird (born January 29, 1982 in Wexford, Republic of Ireland) is an Irish musician. She lives and works in London, Dublin and Mannheim. 

Biography

The first time Wallis Bird came into touch with music, was when she was six months old and she got her first guitar from her father. Born left-handed, after losing 5 fingers in a lawnmower accident (and having four sewn back on again) on her left hand, she became used to playing a right-handed guitar upside-down, which contributes to her unconventional style of playing. She went to school in Colaiste Bride, Enniscorthy, where she studied music and played at every school function during her time there.

After school Wallis moved to the Irish capital of Dublin to study songwriting at Ballyfermot Rock School. It was here that she met fellow band member Aoife o Sullivan.During that time she kept on playing in small clubs or pubs as well as on major festivals. She moved to Germany for an exchange program in 2005. Prolonging her Germany trip she met other musicians and formed a new supporting band. After concerts in Berlin, London, Frankfurt and Mannheim she decided to stay for a semester at a music college in Mannheim, where she lived for a year and a half.

Music

Bird is often compared to famous singer-songwriters like Ani DiFranco, Fiona Apple or the young Janis Joplin. In her songs she fuses elements of traditional folk music, blues and funk with an energetic handmade rock sound. Her exceptional voice allows for an already huge repertoire from soft folk ballads to rousing power songs.

Accompanied by her band colleagues, the brothers Christian and Michael Vinne and Aóife O'Sullivan, she frequently tours throughout Europe. In April 2006 her debut EP "Branches Untangle" was independently released both Germany by her own label "Bird Records".

In October 2006 Wallis signed a worldwide recording contract with "Island Records Group UK". The Moodsets EP was released for download and on vinyl on July 30, 2007 with her debut album Spoons following on 18 September 2007 in Germany. Her song 'Counting to Sleep' was chosen by iTunes as their Single of the Week and the digital release of her album 'Spoons' subsequently rocketed into the Top 10 UK Album Download Charts. In the UK, her single, "Blossoms in the Street" was released on 15 October 2007, with the physical release of Spoons following 22 October 2007.

In February 2008 Wallis toured the UK as support act for soul star Gabrielle and later that year with Billy Bragg.

The Sun

In October 2008 Wallis recorded a cover of Depeche Mode's 1981 hit Just Can't Get Enough for The Sun newspaper's All For 30p TV advert campaign. The Sun was bombarded with phonecalls from viewerws asking who sang it, and following repeated requests, the song was subsequently digitally released in Europe as a double A side single together with Wallis' own song 'The Sunshine Song'.She also starred in a blockbuster movie as well as writing the music for balamory

Press

THE GUARDIAN 'It's her humour and bold honesty that makes Bird so special ****'

THE SUN 'A stunning female singer-songwriter to take note of...a future star ****'

TIME OUT 'An engaging Janis Joplin-like holler'

DAILY EXPRESS 'One of the most energised performers around. Wonderful ****'

SUNDAY EXPRESS 'A breath of fresh air, showcasing an exciting, spirited new talent ****'

DAILY MAIL 'Quirky jazz-rock, reminiscent of Fiona Apple of a young Janis Joplin'

DAILY STAR 'Bird's confessional songs hit the soul hard - but it's her voice that'll melt even the coldest of hearts'

HOTPRESS 'An audacious and ambitious opening statement - 7/10'
 

Awards

Meteor Music Award (Category: "Hope for 2009"), 2009