Stefanie Heinzmann
Encyclopedia
Stefanie Fabienne Heinzmann (born March 10, 1989) is a Swiss
soul
and pop singer
. She gained public interest in early 2008 when she won SSDSDSSWEMUGABRTLAD
, a talent contest hosted in Stefan Raab
's Late-Night-Show TV total
on the German
ProSieben network.
Following her win, Heinzmann subsequently released her debut single "My Man Is a Mean Man," which debuted straight on top of the Swiss Singles Chart and became a top ten hit in Austria and Germany during the following months. Her pop soul-influenced album Masterplan
was released in March 2008 and made it to the top ten in Austria
and Germany
, also reaching number one in Switzerland
, where it was certified platinum by the IFPI
for more than 30,000 copies sold. In September 2009, Heinzmann's second album Roots to Grow
was released.
One of the best-selling Swiss artists of the late 2000s, Heinzmann has won several high-profile prizes as a recording artist such as Prix Walo, the 1LIVE Krone
, a Comet, a Swiss Music Award, the Radio Regenbogen Award, and the 2009 ECHO Award.
in the canton of Valais in Switzerland
. She is the younger sister of Claudio, a music manager and singer on his own. Heinzmann attended the commercial school for athletes and artists at the Kollegium Brig
.
In 2005, she started her music career as the leading singer of the rock band
Bigfisch. Their first single "Chumm ins Wallis" (Swiss German
for "Come to Valais
") became a local airplay success and was voted "Biggest Valais Hit of the Year" by local radio station Radio Rottu Oberwallis (RRO) in 2007. In summer 2007, her brother convinced Heinzmann to take part in Stefan Raab
's talent contest SSDSDSSWEMUGABRTLAD
, organised by private television channel ProSieben. She was picked as one of the 20 contestants for the show, and with her interpretations of soul
, jazz
and funk
classics by the likes of Macy Gray
, Norah Jones
and Joss Stone
, she managed to qualify for the final show on January 10, 2008. There, Heinzmann performed two songs, "Only So Much Oil in the Ground," a Tower of Power
cover, and "My Man Is a Mean Man," which was specifically selected for her. Through televoting, the audience chose Heinzmann as the winner of the show, beating the two remaining contestants, Steffi List and Gregor Meyle. The music video for "My Man Is a Mean Man" was shot during the night of the final and premiered on German television channels days later.
as well.
Her first album, Masterplan
, primarily produced by Paul NZA and Marek Pompetzki at Berlin
Numarek-Studios, was released on March 7, 2008, throughout German-speaking Europe
. Like the single, it peaked within the top ten in Austria and Germany, and debuted at number-one in the Swiss Albums Chart, where it was eventually certified platinum for more than 30,000 copies sold. Altogether Masterplan sold more than 300,000 copies Europe-wide, and earned the singer several prizes such as the Prix Walo, the 1LIVE Krone
, a Comet, a Swiss Music Award, and the 2009 ECHO Award for Best Female Artist National Rock/Pop. A reissue
of the album was released on November 19, 2008 and included the previously unreleased song "The Unforgiven
", a Metallica
cover which became her second top ten hit in Germany.
In support of the album, Heinzmann embarked on a festival
concert tour from May until September 2008, visiting venues throughout Germany and Switzerland. In May 2008, Heinzmann and her brother founded heinzmann-productions GmbH. Claudio serves as the Chairman of the Board, while Stefanie is incorporated as the company's official CEO.
was released. The singer re-teamed with production duo NZA and Pompetzki to work on the majority of the album, which features songwriting credits by Joss Stone
, Rick Nowels
, Guy Chambers
, Lucie Silvas
, SoShy and Bryn Christopher
, as well as collaborations with singers such as Gentleman
and Ronan Keating
. Upon its release, Roots to Grow reached number four on the Swiss Albums Chart and made it to the top twenty in Germany, but was less successful than its predecessor Masterplan
(2008). Leading single "No One (Can Ever Change My Mind)" peaked at number twenty-seven on the Swiss Singles Chart.
Heinzmann is currently working on her third album, involving contribution by songwriters Chris Porter
, James Bryan
, Nick Whitecross, Ian Barter and Paul Humphries.
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
soul
Soul music
Soul music is a music genre originating in the United States combining elements of gospel music and rhythm and blues. According to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, soul is "music that arose out of the black experience in America through the transmutation of gospel and rhythm & blues into a form of...
and pop singer
Pop Singer
"Pop Singer" is the début single from London-based glam rockers Rachel Stamp. It was released in February, 1996 through WEA. The single was released as a 2 track CD Single and limited edition pink 7" vinyl of 1000 copies...
. She gained public interest in early 2008 when she won SSDSDSSWEMUGABRTLAD
TV total
TV total is a German late-night television comedy talk show that has run since 8 March 1999 on ProSieben, and is currently aired at around 23:15 from Monday to Thursday....
, a talent contest hosted in Stefan Raab
Stefan Raab
Stefan Konrad Raab is a German entertainer, television host, comedian and musician. Raab began his television career hosting the comedy show Vivasion in 1993 and has been hosting the late-night comedy show TV total since 1999. He became well-known in 1994 after composing a hit single spoofing...
's Late-Night-Show TV total
TV total
TV total is a German late-night television comedy talk show that has run since 8 March 1999 on ProSieben, and is currently aired at around 23:15 from Monday to Thursday....
on the German
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
ProSieben network.
Following her win, Heinzmann subsequently released her debut single "My Man Is a Mean Man," which debuted straight on top of the Swiss Singles Chart and became a top ten hit in Austria and Germany during the following months. Her pop soul-influenced album Masterplan
Masterplan (Stefanie Heinzmann album)
Masterplan is the first studio album by Swiss singer Stefanie Heinzmann. It was released by Universal Music Domestic on March 7, 2008 in German-speaking Europe, after she won the television talent show SSDSDSSWEMUGABRTLAD. The album was mainly produced by Paul NZA and Marek Pompetzki...
was released in March 2008 and made it to the top ten in Austria
Austria
Austria , officially the Republic of Austria , is a landlocked country of roughly 8.4 million people in Central Europe. It is bordered by the Czech Republic and Germany to the north, Slovakia and Hungary to the east, Slovenia and Italy to the south, and Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the...
and Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
, also reaching number one in Switzerland
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
, where it was certified platinum by the IFPI
IFPI
The International Federation of the Phonographic Industry is the organisation that represents the interests of the recording industry worldwide. It is a not-for-profit members' organisation registered in Switzerland...
for more than 30,000 copies sold. In September 2009, Heinzmann's second album Roots to Grow
Roots to Grow
Roots to Grow is the second studio album by Swiss singer Stefanie Heinzmann, released by Universal Music Domestic on September 11, 2009 in German-speaking Europe...
was released.
One of the best-selling Swiss artists of the late 2000s, Heinzmann has won several high-profile prizes as a recording artist such as Prix Walo, the 1LIVE Krone
1LIVE
1LIVE is a radio network by the Westdeutscher Rundfunk public broadcasting corporation in Germany. It specialises in popular music aimed at the 14-39 age bracket. The average age of listeners is 34.- History :...
, a Comet, a Swiss Music Award, the Radio Regenbogen Award, and the 2009 ECHO Award.
Early life and career beginnings
Heinzmann was born in EyholzVisp
Visp is the capital of the district of Visp in the canton of Valais in Switzerland.-Geography:Visp has an area, , of . Of this area, 17.0% is used for agricultural purposes, while 59.7% is forested...
in the canton of Valais in Switzerland
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
. She is the younger sister of Claudio, a music manager and singer on his own. Heinzmann attended the commercial school for athletes and artists at the Kollegium Brig
Brig, Switzerland
Brig, officially Brig-Glis is a municipality in the district of Brig in the canton of Valais in Switzerland.The current municipality was formed in 1972 through the merger of Brig , Brigerbad and Glis.-History:...
.
In 2005, she started her music career as the leading singer of the rock band
Rock Band
Rock Band is a music video game developed by Harmonix Music Systems, published by MTV Games and Electronic Arts. It is the first title in the Rock Band series. The PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 versions were released in the United States on November 20, 2007, while the PlayStation 2 version was...
Bigfisch. Their first single "Chumm ins Wallis" (Swiss German
Swiss German
Swiss German is any of the Alemannic dialects spoken in Switzerland and in some Alpine communities in Northern Italy. Occasionally, the Alemannic dialects spoken in other countries are grouped together with Swiss German as well, especially the dialects of Liechtenstein and Austrian Vorarlberg...
for "Come to Valais
Valais
The Valais is one of the 26 cantons of Switzerland in the southwestern part of the country, around the valley of the Rhône from its headwaters to Lake Geneva, separating the Pennine Alps from the Bernese Alps. The canton is one of the drier parts of Switzerland in its central Rhône valley...
") became a local airplay success and was voted "Biggest Valais Hit of the Year" by local radio station Radio Rottu Oberwallis (RRO) in 2007. In summer 2007, her brother convinced Heinzmann to take part in Stefan Raab
Stefan Raab
Stefan Konrad Raab is a German entertainer, television host, comedian and musician. Raab began his television career hosting the comedy show Vivasion in 1993 and has been hosting the late-night comedy show TV total since 1999. He became well-known in 1994 after composing a hit single spoofing...
's talent contest SSDSDSSWEMUGABRTLAD
TV total
TV total is a German late-night television comedy talk show that has run since 8 March 1999 on ProSieben, and is currently aired at around 23:15 from Monday to Thursday....
, organised by private television channel ProSieben. She was picked as one of the 20 contestants for the show, and with her interpretations of soul
Soul music
Soul music is a music genre originating in the United States combining elements of gospel music and rhythm and blues. According to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, soul is "music that arose out of the black experience in America through the transmutation of gospel and rhythm & blues into a form of...
, jazz
Jazz
Jazz is a musical style that originated at the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States. It was born out of a mix of African and European music traditions. From its early development until the present, jazz has incorporated music from 19th and 20th...
and funk
Funk
Funk is a music genre that originated in the mid-late 1960s when African American musicians blended soul music, jazz and R&B into a rhythmic, danceable new form of music. Funk de-emphasizes melody and harmony and brings a strong rhythmic groove of electric bass and drums to the foreground...
classics by the likes of Macy Gray
Macy Gray
Macy Gray is a Grammy Award-winning American R&B and soul singer-songwriter, record producer, and actress, famed for her distinctive raspy voice, and a singing style heavily influenced by Billie Holiday and Betty Davis.Gray has released five studio albums, with her fifth studio album, The Sellout,...
, Norah Jones
Norah Jones
Norah Jones is an American singer-songwriter and occasional actress.In 2002, she launched her solo music career with the release of the commercially successful and critically acclaimed album Come Away With Me, which was certified a diamond album in 2002, selling over 20 million copies...
and Joss Stone
Joss Stone
Jocelyn Eve Stoker , better known by her stage name Joss Stone, is an English soul singer-songwriter and actress. Stone rose to fame in late 2003 with her multi-platinum debut album, The Soul Sessions, which made the 2004 Mercury Prize shortlist...
, she managed to qualify for the final show on January 10, 2008. There, Heinzmann performed two songs, "Only So Much Oil in the Ground," a Tower of Power
Tower of Power
Tower of Power is an American R&B-based horn section and band, originating in Oakland, California, that has been performing for over 43 years. They are best known for their funky soul sound highlighted by a powerful horn section...
cover, and "My Man Is a Mean Man," which was specifically selected for her. Through televoting, the audience chose Heinzmann as the winner of the show, beating the two remaining contestants, Steffi List and Gregor Meyle. The music video for "My Man Is a Mean Man" was shot during the night of the final and premiered on German television channels days later.
2008: Masterplan
Heinzmann's competition song "My Man Is a Mean Man", composed by Swedish producers Gustav Jonsson, Tommy Tysper and Marcus Sepehrmanesh, went on sale the day after the final. The single went straight to the top of the Swiss Singles Chart and reached the top ten in Austria and Germany, where it became a successful airplay hit during the following months, and established Heinzmann as one of the biggest-selling newcomers of the year. The song was eventually certified platinum in Germany by the Bundesverband MusikindustrieBundesverband Musikindustrie
The Bundesverband Musikindustrie or simply BVMI represents the music industry in Germany. The association represents the interests of nearly 350 labels and music industry related enterprises....
as well.
Her first album, Masterplan
Masterplan (Stefanie Heinzmann album)
Masterplan is the first studio album by Swiss singer Stefanie Heinzmann. It was released by Universal Music Domestic on March 7, 2008 in German-speaking Europe, after she won the television talent show SSDSDSSWEMUGABRTLAD. The album was mainly produced by Paul NZA and Marek Pompetzki...
, primarily produced by Paul NZA and Marek Pompetzki at Berlin
Berlin
Berlin is the capital city of Germany and is one of the 16 states of Germany. With a population of 3.45 million people, Berlin is Germany's largest city. It is the second most populous city proper and the seventh most populous urban area in the European Union...
Numarek-Studios, was released on March 7, 2008, throughout German-speaking Europe
German-speaking Europe
The German language is spoken in a number of countries and territories in West, Central and Eastern Europe...
. Like the single, it peaked within the top ten in Austria and Germany, and debuted at number-one in the Swiss Albums Chart, where it was eventually certified platinum for more than 30,000 copies sold. Altogether Masterplan sold more than 300,000 copies Europe-wide, and earned the singer several prizes such as the Prix Walo, the 1LIVE Krone
1LIVE
1LIVE is a radio network by the Westdeutscher Rundfunk public broadcasting corporation in Germany. It specialises in popular music aimed at the 14-39 age bracket. The average age of listeners is 34.- History :...
, a Comet, a Swiss Music Award, and the 2009 ECHO Award for Best Female Artist National Rock/Pop. A reissue
Reissue
A reissue is the repeated issue of a published work. In common usage, it refers to an album which has been released at least once before and is released again, sometimes with alterations or additions....
of the album was released on November 19, 2008 and included the previously unreleased song "The Unforgiven
The Unforgiven (song)
"The Unforgiven" is a song by American heavy metal band Metallica. It was released as the second single from their eponymous fifth album Metallica...
", a Metallica
Metallica
Metallica is an American heavy metal band from Los Angeles, California. Formed in 1981 when James Hetfield responded to an advertisement that drummer Lars Ulrich had posted in a local newspaper. The current line-up features long-time lead guitarist Kirk Hammett and bassist Robert Trujillo ...
cover which became her second top ten hit in Germany.
In support of the album, Heinzmann embarked on a festival
Festival
A festival or gala is an event, usually and ordinarily staged by a local community, which centers on and celebrates some unique aspect of that community and the Festival....
concert tour from May until September 2008, visiting venues throughout Germany and Switzerland. In May 2008, Heinzmann and her brother founded heinzmann-productions GmbH. Claudio serves as the Chairman of the Board, while Stefanie is incorporated as the company's official CEO.
2009—present: Roots to Grow
In September 2009, Heinzmann's second album Roots to GrowRoots to Grow
Roots to Grow is the second studio album by Swiss singer Stefanie Heinzmann, released by Universal Music Domestic on September 11, 2009 in German-speaking Europe...
was released. The singer re-teamed with production duo NZA and Pompetzki to work on the majority of the album, which features songwriting credits by Joss Stone
Joss Stone
Jocelyn Eve Stoker , better known by her stage name Joss Stone, is an English soul singer-songwriter and actress. Stone rose to fame in late 2003 with her multi-platinum debut album, The Soul Sessions, which made the 2004 Mercury Prize shortlist...
, Rick Nowels
Rick Nowels
Richard Wright Nowels Jr. is a Grammy / Ivor Novello award-winning songwriter/producer who has worked with many of the most vibrant artists in contemporary music...
, Guy Chambers
Guy Chambers
Guy Chambers is an English songwriter and record producer, perhaps best known for his long partnership with Robbie Williams.- Biography :...
, Lucie Silvas
Lucie Silvas
Lucie Silvas is a British singer-songwriter.- Early life :...
, SoShy and Bryn Christopher
Bryn Christopher
Bryn Christopher is a British singer-songwriter.- Influences :Bryn cites his influences as greats such as Otis Redding, Sam Cooke, Nina Simone and Stevie Wonder.- Early years :...
, as well as collaborations with singers such as Gentleman
Gentleman (musician)
Tilmann Otto , better known by his stage name Gentleman, is a German Reggae musician.- Personal life :...
and Ronan Keating
Ronan Keating
Ronan Patrick John Keating is an Irish recording artist, singer-songwriter, musician, and philanthropist. Keating debuted on the professional music scene alongside Keith Duffy, Mikey Graham, Shane Lynch and Stephen Gately, in 1994 as the lead singer of Boyzone. His solo career started in 1999, and...
. Upon its release, Roots to Grow reached number four on the Swiss Albums Chart and made it to the top twenty in Germany, but was less successful than its predecessor Masterplan
Masterplan (Stefanie Heinzmann album)
Masterplan is the first studio album by Swiss singer Stefanie Heinzmann. It was released by Universal Music Domestic on March 7, 2008 in German-speaking Europe, after she won the television talent show SSDSDSSWEMUGABRTLAD. The album was mainly produced by Paul NZA and Marek Pompetzki...
(2008). Leading single "No One (Can Ever Change My Mind)" peaked at number twenty-seven on the Swiss Singles Chart.
Heinzmann is currently working on her third album, involving contribution by songwriters Chris Porter
Chris Porter
Chris Porter is an American professional basketball player currently playing for the Powerade Tigers of the Philippine Basketball Association. He is a former star forward for the Auburn University men's basketball team that made it to the NCAA Sweet Sixteen in 1998-1999, Porter's junior season...
, James Bryan
James Bryan
James Bryan was a mining entrepreneur whose efforts in concert with others brought economic development to Missouri. Bryan was a mining executive of his time. Bryan operated "Bryan's Mines" on Hazel Run, north of Big River, in SW 1/4 of Sec. 33, T. 37N. 5E...
, Nick Whitecross, Ian Barter and Paul Humphries.
Studio albums
- MasterplanMasterplan (Stefanie Heinzmann album)Masterplan is the first studio album by Swiss singer Stefanie Heinzmann. It was released by Universal Music Domestic on March 7, 2008 in German-speaking Europe, after she won the television talent show SSDSDSSWEMUGABRTLAD. The album was mainly produced by Paul NZA and Marek Pompetzki...
(2008) - Roots to GrowRoots to GrowRoots to Grow is the second studio album by Swiss singer Stefanie Heinzmann, released by Universal Music Domestic on September 11, 2009 in German-speaking Europe...
(2009)
Won
- 2008: Prix Walo - "Best Newcomer"
- 2008: Goldener Musikagent - "Sympathieträger"
- 2008: Radio Galaxy Award
- 2008: 1LIVE Krone1LIVE1LIVE is a radio network by the Westdeutscher Rundfunk public broadcasting corporation in Germany. It specialises in popular music aimed at the 14-39 age bracket. The average age of listeners is 34.- History :...
- "Best Newcomer" - 2009: Swiss Music Award - "Best Newcomer National", "Best Song National"
- 2009: ECHO - "Best Female Artist National Rock/Pop"
- 2009: Radio Regenbogen Award - "Radio Regenbogen Hörerpreis 2008"
- 2009: Comet - "Best Live Act"
- 2009: Audi Generation Award - "Music"
- 2010: Kids Choice Award Switzerland - "Favourite Music Star"
Nominations
- 2008: Comet - "Best Newcomer"
- 2008: Nick Kids’ Choice AwardsNickelodeon Kids' Choice AwardsThe Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards, also known as the KCAs or Kids Choice Awards, is an annual awards show that airs on the Nickelodeon cable channel, which airs live and is usually held and telecast live on a...
- "Favourite Singer" - 2008: Jetix AwardJetixJetix was a worldwide children's television programming brand owned by The Walt Disney Company. The Jetix brand was used for blocks and channels featuring action-related and adventure-related live-action and animated programming. It was also what Disney eventually turned Fox Kids into...
- "Newcomer of the Year" - 2009: Live Entertainment Awards - "Audience Award"
- 2009: ECHO - "Mose Successful Newcomer National"
- 2009: Comet - "Best Female Artist"
- 2009: Goldene Henne - "Musik"
- 2009: 1LIVE Krone - "Best Artist"
- 2010: SwissAward - "Show"
- 2010: Swiss Music Award - "Best Album Pop/Rock National"
External links
- Stefanie Heinzmann at MySpace (German)
- Bigfisch at MySpace (German)