Deep Obsession
Encyclopedia
Deep Obsession are a New Zealand dance/pop group formed by producer/songwriter Christopher Banks
in 1997 with singers Zara
and Charlie Lawson.
They became the first unsigned New Zealand group to receive widespread commercial radio airplay when a demo recording of their first single, “Lost In Love” (a cover version of the 1980 hit by Australian group Air Supply
), was picked up by the nationwide More FM network. The group had sent a gift-wrapped copy of the demo to then-programme director Andrew Szusterman.
Subsequently, Deep Obsession became the first New Zealand group to sign with Universal Music, after airplay of “Lost In Love” brought them to the attention of several major record labels.
“Lost In Love” was remixed by Malcolm Welsford
, previously known as a producer of rock music, and released in late 1998. It went to number #1 on the New Zealand singles chart and achieved gold sales status. The next two singles, “Cold” and “One & Only”, also went to number #1, making Deep Obsession the first New Zealand group to achieve three consecutive number #1 singles in their home country.
The album “Infinity” was produced in Australia and New Zealand by Michael Lloyd and Christopher Banks in conjunction with Australian producers Steve Peach and Paul Goodyear. It was released in 1999 and went to number #8 on the New Zealand charts. A new version of the album, featuring remixes of “Lost In Love” and “One & Only” by Grammy Award-winning Cher
producer Brian Rawling was released internationally the following year.
By 2003, Deep Obsession had parted company with both their founding producer and songwriting partner Christopher Banks
, and record label Universal Music.
“Miracles”, which reached number #34, was never released as a single but charted due to radio play.
Past Members
Christopher Banks
Christopher Banks is a New Zealand journalist, musician, record producer, songwriter and film-maker.- Deep Obsession :Banks was responsible for eight top 30 New Zealand hits for three different acts between 1998 and 2002....
in 1997 with singers Zara
Zara
-Places:*Zara, Turkey, district in the Turkish province of Sivas Province *Zara, Italian, Venetian, German and Hungarian name of the Adriatic port city of Zadar , former capital of Dalmatia, today in Croatia*Zara, Tibet, village in the Tibet Autonomous Region of China*Zara ,...
and Charlie Lawson.
They became the first unsigned New Zealand group to receive widespread commercial radio airplay when a demo recording of their first single, “Lost In Love” (a cover version of the 1980 hit by Australian group Air Supply
Air Supply
Air Supply is an Australian soft rock duo, consisting of Graham Russell as guitarist and singer-songwriter and Russell Hitchcock as lead vocalist. They had a succession of hits worldwide, including eight Top Ten hits in the United States, in the early 1980s...
), was picked up by the nationwide More FM network. The group had sent a gift-wrapped copy of the demo to then-programme director Andrew Szusterman.
Subsequently, Deep Obsession became the first New Zealand group to sign with Universal Music, after airplay of “Lost In Love” brought them to the attention of several major record labels.
“Lost In Love” was remixed by Malcolm Welsford
Malcolm Welsford
Malcolm Welsford is a New Zealand Record Producer and is best known for his work with Shihad, The Feelers and Supergroove.-Early career:Welsford's professional recording career began in 1984 at a small largely unknown Studio called Frontier Studios, Wellington New Zealand...
, previously known as a producer of rock music, and released in late 1998. It went to number #1 on the New Zealand singles chart and achieved gold sales status. The next two singles, “Cold” and “One & Only”, also went to number #1, making Deep Obsession the first New Zealand group to achieve three consecutive number #1 singles in their home country.
The album “Infinity” was produced in Australia and New Zealand by Michael Lloyd and Christopher Banks in conjunction with Australian producers Steve Peach and Paul Goodyear. It was released in 1999 and went to number #8 on the New Zealand charts. A new version of the album, featuring remixes of “Lost In Love” and “One & Only” by Grammy Award-winning Cher
Cher
Cher is an American recording artist, television personality, actress, director, record producer and philanthropist. Referred to as the Goddess of Pop, she has won an Academy Award, a Grammy Award, an Emmy Award, three Golden Globes and a Cannes Film Festival Award among others for her work in...
producer Brian Rawling was released internationally the following year.
By 2003, Deep Obsession had parted company with both their founding producer and songwriting partner Christopher Banks
Christopher Banks
Christopher Banks is a New Zealand journalist, musician, record producer, songwriter and film-maker.- Deep Obsession :Banks was responsible for eight top 30 New Zealand hits for three different acts between 1998 and 2002....
, and record label Universal Music.
“Miracles”, which reached number #34, was never released as a single but charted due to radio play.
Members
Current Members- Zara Clarke (1997-)
- Charlie Lawson (1997–1998; 2001-)
Past Members
- Vanessa Kelly (1998–2001)
- Christopher BanksChristopher BanksChristopher Banks is a New Zealand journalist, musician, record producer, songwriter and film-maker.- Deep Obsession :Banks was responsible for eight top 30 New Zealand hits for three different acts between 1998 and 2002....
(1997–1999)
Albums
| Date of Release | Title | Label | Charted | Country | Catalog Number |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | Infinity Infinity (Deep Obsession album) Infinity is the debut album released in 1999 by New Zealand pop group, Deep Obsession. Later in 1999, a remix version of the album was released.-Track listing:#"Falling Out of Love"#"Cold"#"One & Only"#"Vanishing Man"#"You Got the Feeling"#"Would You?"... |
#8 (Platinum) |
New Zealand | ||
| 1999 | Infinity (Remix Album) Infinity (Deep Obsession album) Infinity is the debut album released in 1999 by New Zealand pop group, Deep Obsession. Later in 1999, a remix version of the album was released.-Track listing:#"Falling Out of Love"#"Cold"#"One & Only"#"Vanishing Man"#"You Got the Feeling"#"Would You?"... |
- | - | ||
Singles
| Year | Single | Album | Charted | Certification |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | "Lost in Love Lost in Love (Air Supply song) "Lost in Love" is a 1980 song recorded by the Australian group Air Supply. The song was written by group member Graham Russell and included on their Life Support... " |
Infinity | 1 (NZ) | Gold |
| 1999 | "Cold" | Infinity | 1 (NZ) | - |
| 1999 | "One & Only" | Infinity | 1 (NZ) | Gold |
| 2000 | "You Got the Feeling" | Infinity | 17 (NZ) | - |
| 2000 | "I Surrender" | Infinity | 25 (NZ) | - |
| 2003 | "Miracles" | Single only | 34 (NZ) | - |
See Also / References
- NZ Music article documenting their record three #1's
- Last.fm page linking to RDF semantic web info
- Discogs commentary
- Vanessa Kelly biographical details