Musicians - Alex Parks

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	Musicians - Alex Parks

Alexandra Rebecca Parks (born 26 July 1984, in Mount Hawke, Cornwall) is a British singer and songwriter. She is best known for winning Fame Academy in 2003, her subsequent singles, and the albums Introduction and Honesty.

Career

Parks started songwriting at the age of 15. At college she studied theatrical and performing arts, and at the same time performed regularly as lead singer in a local band, One Trick Pony. During this period she was introduced to indie, folk and rock music, and began songwriting and playing guitar. The band eventually broke up, but Parks continued to write songs.

On Parks' behalf, her father submitted an impromptu application to the BBC's Fame Academy. Parks won the contest, and was given the opportunity to showcase her self-penned song "Maybe That's What It Takes" to a public audience. The song was released on 17 November 2003 and peaked at number 3 in the UK Top 40 the following week. Her debut album Introduction was subsequently released and sold over 500,000 copies.

After the release of her second single "Cry" in February 2004, Parks withdrew from the limelight for 18 months while working on her second album Honesty with co-writers/producers Greg Wells, John Reynolds, Peter-John Vettese and Judie Tzuke. Honesty and its lead single "Looking For Water" were released in October 2005. Fans were infuriated when Polydor chose to release the track as an internet-download only, cancelling the CD release shortly before it was due to go on sale. Parks toured the UK to support the album, with sold out gigs in London, Edinburgh, Manchester, Birmingham and Cornwall. The title track "Honesty" was subsequently released in January 2006 and charted at number 56. The album had peaked earlier at number 24 in the UK charts. Fans and some neutral observers blamed poor distribution and a lack of record label support for the disappointing sales.

Both Parks and Polydor were unhappy with their relationship and they parted company in February 2006, shortly before a packed-out and critically acclaimed gig at Shepherd's Bush Empire. Parks is known to have received offers from independent labels, and is currently taking a break to consider her options.

Influences

Parks' musical influences as a songwriter and performer include Ani DiFranco, Nick Drake, Joni Mitchell, Jeff Buckley and Annie Lennox. She has also expressed a strong interest in rock artists and bands, including Jimi Hendrix, Skin, Radiohead, Razorlight and The Killers.

Discography

(with UK chart positions)

Albums

Introduction (2003) #5
Honesty (2005) #24

Singles

"Maybe That's What It Takes" (2003) #3
"Cry" (2004) #13
"Looking for Water" (2005)
"Honesty" (2006) #56

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