Tiffani Wood
Encyclopedia
Tiffany "Tiffani" Jane Wood (born 8 November 1977), briefly known as Tiffani Cummins, is an Australian singer-songwriter, who is a former member of female pop group Bardot. Wood later established an independent solo career, and released her debut solo album Bite Your Tongue
in 2006.
, New South Wales, Australia. She developed an interest in performing from a young age and enrolled into jazz dancing classes where she would eventually also assist teaching younger students.
At age 12, Wood's mother Judy encouraged her to take up singing by joining the Young Talent Time
talent school. Her teachers quickly noticed her natural singing talent and at age 15, placed her into a show troupe "The Young Stars" which performed at various venues around New South Wales. During this three year stint, Wood had her first experience of recording for an album and performing solo in front of large crowds, her biggest being the opening of the Sydney Harbour Tunnel
where she performed in front of over 20,000 people.
During her schooling years, she entered and won numerous talent quests and played the lead vocal role in her 1994 school musical Murder in the Music Hall. She completed her Higher School Certificate in 1995, her highest mark being eighty-five percent in music and at the age of 18, became the lead singer of a cover band "Quiver". They performed a wide range of songs including Tracey Chapman, Pearl Jam
, Shania Twain
, Alanis Morissette
, 80's rock and more and Wood recorded original songs with the band.
She then moved to Sydney where she enrolled in the Australian Institute of Music
choosing vocal as her major, which she completed successfully, and joined another cover band "The Anthill Mob".
, a reality television show which aimed to produce a new girl group
. After selections for the group were finalised by the judges, she just missed out. However, after original member Chantelle Barry
was forced out of the group in controversial circumstances, Wood was selected to replace her as the fifth member of the band, now known as Bardot.
Popstars was one of the most popular, highest-rating television programs in Australia of 2000 and with the group's overwhelming exposure, Bardot's debut single "Poison
" and self-titled debut album
both entered at number one on the Australian ARIA
charts, achieving multi-platinum sales. Further singles "I Should've Never Let You Go
" and "These Days
" continued the group's successful assault on the Australian charts and in August, Bardot embarked on its first national tour. Wood performed with her bandmates at the ARIA Music Awards of 2001
for which they were nominated in three categories. Promotional tours were made in numerous countries including Singapore, Taiwan, New Zealand, India and the United Kingdom.
In 2001, Bardot returned to the spotlight with "ASAP
", the first single from their second album. "ASAP" went Top 5 as did the following single "I Need Somebody
". In November, Bardot released its second album Play It Like That
, which achieved gold status upon release and performed before 90,000 music lovers at the Rumba festivals.
In early 2002, they embarked on their second national tour and released their final single "Love Will Find a Way", before deciding to "call it a day" in April of that year. At the girl's final public concert, performed live at Channel [V
], Wood broke into tears, sad at the realisation that it was all coming to an end. Later in interviews, she stated that she and former bandmate Belinda Chapple
were the two members keen to continue as a group.
, Wood signed a solo recording contract
with Warner Music and changed her name from Tiffany Wood to Tiffani Wood in order to avoid confusion with the 1980s American popstar Tiffany
. The debut single, "What R U Waiting 4" re-introduced Wood back into the music scene, marketed as an organic, light pop-rock singer (similar to the likes of Michelle Branch
, Alanis Morissette
etc.). The track debuted at No.27 on the ARIA singles chart on 22 March 2004 and was one of the most-played songs on Australian radio in that month.
Behind the scenes, however, tensions between Wood and Warner Music grew. Wood insisted that the second single be a self-penned track but Warner Music already planned on releasing someone else's song as the next single. After failing to reach a compromise, Wood made the decision to leave behind her recording contract for the option of artistic freedom and ultimate career control.
In 2005, after leaving Warner Music, Wood decided to release her material independently and established her own record label Mudhoney Records. The first single "Devil in Your Soul" was released on 18 July and showcased a harder, fast-paced rock sound with electrical guitars, strong drum beats and a saucy vocal performance by Wood. The tongue-in-cheek lyrics, written by Wood and Richie Goncalves (who produced the song) took a stab at the music industry and how major record labels take advantage of their younger artists in order to make them 'marketable'. The single debuted at No.13 on the Association of Independent Records Labels (AIR) chart
and spent numerous weeks in the top 20.
In April 2006, Wood released her second independent single "Spin the Bottle" with a number of promotional commitments including a performance on the Seven Network
's top-rating breakfast television program Sunrise
. The song also featured in promotions for long-time Australian soap Neighbours
in the lead up to the 2006 TV Week Logie Awards
. The single was a success on the AIR charts, debuting in top 5 and eventually peaking at #2. .
Wood has established a strong reputation for her live performances, headlining shows at nightclubs and numerous events across the country. In 2006, she put together a burlesque
-styled show, drawing inspiration from the 1940s and Dita Von Teese
for her latest look and style of performance. In July 2006, Wood appeared in a nude photoshoot for nude-art magazine Black+White
In September 2006, she released an up-beat cover
of the Divinyls
1990 number one hit "I Touch Myself", receiving generally positive reviews. The single peaked at No.5 on the AIR charts and was performed on the ARL Footy Show.
Her debut solo album Bite Your Tongue
was released in October 2006 and features a collection of self-penned rock-pop songs touching on issues such as body image, falling asleep behind the wheel and the entertainment industry. Respected music critic Cameron Adams gave the album three stars, crediting Wood for her "powerful voice" and describing the record as "sassy".
In 2007, Tiffani Wood appeared in the stage musical Las Vegas Confidential – The Musical. In 2009 she reunited with Katie Underwood
in the stage show Valentino.
. She later gave birth to their first child, Lillian Adel. The couple have since separated and were divorced in May 2009.
Bite Your Tongue
Bite Your Tongue is the debut solo album by Australian singer-songwriter Tiffani Wood. It was released in Australia on 14 October 2006 through Wood's own independent record label Mudhoney Records.- Album information :...
in 2006.
Early life
Wood was born on 8 November 1977 in NewcastleNewcastle, New South Wales
The Newcastle metropolitan area is the second most populated area in the Australian state of New South Wales and includes most of the Newcastle and Lake Macquarie Local Government Areas...
, New South Wales, Australia. She developed an interest in performing from a young age and enrolled into jazz dancing classes where she would eventually also assist teaching younger students.
At age 12, Wood's mother Judy encouraged her to take up singing by joining the Young Talent Time
Young Talent Time
Young Talent Time is an Australian television variety program screened on Network Ten, running from 1971 until 1988. The series features a core group of young performers in the vein of The Mickey Mouse Club, and a weekly junior talent quest. The "Young Talent Team" regularly performed popular...
talent school. Her teachers quickly noticed her natural singing talent and at age 15, placed her into a show troupe "The Young Stars" which performed at various venues around New South Wales. During this three year stint, Wood had her first experience of recording for an album and performing solo in front of large crowds, her biggest being the opening of the Sydney Harbour Tunnel
Sydney Harbour Tunnel
The Sydney Harbour Tunnel is a twin-tube road tunnel in Sydney, Australia. The tunnel was completed and opened to traffic in August 1992 to provide a second vehicular crossing of Sydney Harbour to alleviate congestion on the Sydney Harbour Bridge....
where she performed in front of over 20,000 people.
During her schooling years, she entered and won numerous talent quests and played the lead vocal role in her 1994 school musical Murder in the Music Hall. She completed her Higher School Certificate in 1995, her highest mark being eighty-five percent in music and at the age of 18, became the lead singer of a cover band "Quiver". They performed a wide range of songs including Tracey Chapman, Pearl Jam
Pearl Jam
Pearl Jam is an American rock band that formed in Seattle, Washington, in 1990. Since its inception, the band's line-up has included Eddie Vedder , Jeff Ament , Stone Gossard , and Mike McCready...
, Shania Twain
Shania Twain
Shania Twain, OC is a Canadian country pop singer-songwriter. Her album The Woman in Me , brought her fame and her 1997 album Come On Over, became the best-selling album of all time by a female musician in any genre, and the best-selling country album of all time. It has sold over 40 million...
, Alanis Morissette
Alanis Morissette
Alanis Nadine Morissette is a Canadian-American singer-songwriter, guitarist, record producer, and actress. She has won 16 Juno Awards and seven Grammy Awards, was nominated for two Golden Globe Awards and also shortlisted for an Academy Award nomination...
, 80's rock and more and Wood recorded original songs with the band.
She then moved to Sydney where she enrolled in the Australian Institute of Music
Australian Institute of Music
The Australian Institute of Music is a private not-for-profit institution originally founded in 1968 by Dr Peter Calvo, and then known as the Sydney Guitar School...
choosing vocal as her major, which she completed successfully, and joined another cover band "The Anthill Mob".
Big break
In late 1999, at the age of 22, Wood auditioned for the first Australian series of PopstarsPopstars
Popstars is an international reality television franchise and a precursor to the Idol series. The series first began in New Zealand in 1999 when producer Jonathan Dowling formed the five member all-girl group TrueBliss...
, a reality television show which aimed to produce a new girl group
Girl group
A girl group is a popular music act featuring several young female singers who generally harmonise together.Girl groups emerged in the late 1950s as groups of young singers teamed up with behind-the-scenes songwriters and music producers to create hit singles, often featuring glossy production...
. After selections for the group were finalised by the judges, she just missed out. However, after original member Chantelle Barry
Chantelle Barry
Chantelle Barry is an Australian singer-songwriter and actress from Perth, best known for being in the original line up of girl group Bardot. She left the group suddenly, only weeks after the group was formed on the first series of the Australian version of Popstars.-Career:Rumours in magazines and...
was forced out of the group in controversial circumstances, Wood was selected to replace her as the fifth member of the band, now known as Bardot.
Popstars was one of the most popular, highest-rating television programs in Australia of 2000 and with the group's overwhelming exposure, Bardot's debut single "Poison
Poison (Bardot song)
"Poison" is a pop song by Australian female group Bardot, and was the first single from their debut album Bardot . It was co-written and produced by Australian producer Michael Szumowski....
" and self-titled debut album
Bardot (album)
Bardot is the debut album by Australian female pop group Bardot, released in May 2000 .The album went to number one in Australia and New Zealand and spawned the singles "Poison", I Should've Never Let You Go" and "These Days" ....
both entered at number one on the Australian ARIA
Australian Recording Industry Association
The Australian Recording Industry Association is a trade group representing the Australian recording industry which was established in 1983 by six major record companies, EMI, Festival, CBS, RCA, WEA and Universal replacing the Association of Australian Record Manufacturers which was formed in 1956...
charts, achieving multi-platinum sales. Further singles "I Should've Never Let You Go
I Should've Never Let You Go
"I Should've Never Let You Go" is a pop song by Australian female group Bardot, and was the second single from their debut album Bardot...
" and "These Days
These Days (Bardot song)
"These Days" is the third single by Australian pop group Bardot, released in August 2000 on the back of their first national tour. It debuted and peaked at No.19 on the ARIA Singles chart and was certified gold. The single was available in two unique formats...
" continued the group's successful assault on the Australian charts and in August, Bardot embarked on its first national tour. Wood performed with her bandmates at the ARIA Music Awards of 2001
ARIA Music Awards of 2001
The 15th Annual Australian Recording Industry Association Music Awards were held on 30 October 2001 at the Capitol Theatre.-Awards:...
for which they were nominated in three categories. Promotional tours were made in numerous countries including Singapore, Taiwan, New Zealand, India and the United Kingdom.
In 2001, Bardot returned to the spotlight with "ASAP
ASAP (Bardot song)
"ASAP" is a pop / R&B song performed by former Australian pop group Bardot, and was the first single from their second album Play It Like That .-History:The fast tempo R&B track is about a partner's interfering mother...
", the first single from their second album. "ASAP" went Top 5 as did the following single "I Need Somebody
I Need Somebody
"I Need Somebody" is a pop–dance song by Australian pop group Bardot and was the second single from their second album Play It Like That . It was produced by United Kingdom producer Ray Hedges....
". In November, Bardot released its second album Play It Like That
Play It Like That
Play It Like That is the second album by Australian female pop group Bardot, released in November 2001 .The album debuted at number 16 in Australia and spawned the singles "ASAP", "I Need Somebody" and "Love Will Find a Way"....
, which achieved gold status upon release and performed before 90,000 music lovers at the Rumba festivals.
In early 2002, they embarked on their second national tour and released their final single "Love Will Find a Way", before deciding to "call it a day" in April of that year. At the girl's final public concert, performed live at Channel [V
Channel V Australia
Channel [V] Australia is an Australian subscription television music channel, and also the newest Channel [V] channel. It is available on Foxtel, Optus TV and Austar satellite and cable services...
], Wood broke into tears, sad at the realisation that it was all coming to an end. Later in interviews, she stated that she and former bandmate Belinda Chapple
Belinda Chapple
Belinda Barbara Chapple is an Australian singer and former member of female pop group Bardot.Since Bardot's split, Belinda has been developing two live acts; a more traditional jazz show with Darren Mapes, and her preferred dance and pop performance with choreographer and dancer Michael Boyd...
were the two members keen to continue as a group.
Solo career
Like former Bardot bandmate Sophie MonkSophie Monk
Sophie Charlene Akland Monk is a London-born Australian pop singer, actress and model. Monk was a member of female pop group Bardot and released a solo album Calendar Girl...
, Wood signed a solo recording contract
Recording contract
A recording contract is a legal agreement between a record label and a recording artist , where the artist makes a record for the label to sell and promote...
with Warner Music and changed her name from Tiffany Wood to Tiffani Wood in order to avoid confusion with the 1980s American popstar Tiffany
Tiffany (singer)
Tiffany Renee Darwish , known popularly as Tiffany, is an American singer and former teen icon. She is most notable for her 1987 cover version of "I Think We're Alone Now", originally recorded by Tommy James and the Shondells in 1967. Released as the second single from her eponymous album, Tiffany,...
. The debut single, "What R U Waiting 4" re-introduced Wood back into the music scene, marketed as an organic, light pop-rock singer (similar to the likes of Michelle Branch
Michelle Branch
Michelle Jacquet DeSevren Branch is an American singer-songwriter, guitarist and actress. During the early 2000s, she released two top-selling albums, The Spirit Room and Hotel Paper, and was subsequently nominated for the Grammy Award for Best New Artist in 2003...
, Alanis Morissette
Alanis Morissette
Alanis Nadine Morissette is a Canadian-American singer-songwriter, guitarist, record producer, and actress. She has won 16 Juno Awards and seven Grammy Awards, was nominated for two Golden Globe Awards and also shortlisted for an Academy Award nomination...
etc.). The track debuted at No.27 on the ARIA singles chart on 22 March 2004 and was one of the most-played songs on Australian radio in that month.
Behind the scenes, however, tensions between Wood and Warner Music grew. Wood insisted that the second single be a self-penned track but Warner Music already planned on releasing someone else's song as the next single. After failing to reach a compromise, Wood made the decision to leave behind her recording contract for the option of artistic freedom and ultimate career control.
In 2005, after leaving Warner Music, Wood decided to release her material independently and established her own record label Mudhoney Records. The first single "Devil in Your Soul" was released on 18 July and showcased a harder, fast-paced rock sound with electrical guitars, strong drum beats and a saucy vocal performance by Wood. The tongue-in-cheek lyrics, written by Wood and Richie Goncalves (who produced the song) took a stab at the music industry and how major record labels take advantage of their younger artists in order to make them 'marketable'. The single debuted at No.13 on the Association of Independent Records Labels (AIR) chart
AIR Charts
The AIR Charts are the official sales charts for Australian independent music released by Australian owned, independent record labels. Presented by AIR, the Australian Independent Record Labels Association, the charts are calculated according to official sales figures provided by the ARIA Charts,...
and spent numerous weeks in the top 20.
In April 2006, Wood released her second independent single "Spin the Bottle" with a number of promotional commitments including a performance on the Seven Network
Seven Network
The Seven Network is an Australian television network owned by Seven West Media Limited. It dates back to 4 November 1956, when the first stations on the VHF7 frequency were established in Melbourne and Sydney.It is currently the second largest network in the country in terms of population reach...
's top-rating breakfast television program Sunrise
Sunrise (TV program)
Sunrise is an Australian breakfast television program, broadcast on the Seven Network. On weekdays the programme follows Seven Early News, and runs from 6am through to 9am.-History:...
. The song also featured in promotions for long-time Australian soap Neighbours
Neighbours
Neighbours is an Australian television soap opera first broadcast on the Seven Network on 18 March 1985. It was created by TV executive Reg Watson, who proposed the idea of making a show that focused on realistic stories and portrayed adults and teenagers who talk openly and solve their problems...
in the lead up to the 2006 TV Week Logie Awards
Logie Awards of 2006
The 48th Annual TV Week Logie Awards were presented on Sunday May 7, 2006 at the Crown Entertainment Complex in Melbourne and televised on the Nine Network....
. The single was a success on the AIR charts, debuting in top 5 and eventually peaking at #2. .
Wood has established a strong reputation for her live performances, headlining shows at nightclubs and numerous events across the country. In 2006, she put together a burlesque
American burlesque
American Burlesque is a genre of variety show. Derived from elements of Victorian burlesque, music hall and minstrel shows, burlesque shows in America became popular in the 1860s and evolved to feature ribald comedy and female striptease...
-styled show, drawing inspiration from the 1940s and Dita Von Teese
Dita Von Teese
Dita Von Teese is an American burlesque dancer, model, costume designer, author and actress.-Early life:...
for her latest look and style of performance. In July 2006, Wood appeared in a nude photoshoot for nude-art magazine Black+White
Black+White
Black+White was a bimonthly Australian magazine published by Studio Magazines that debuted in the summer of 1992. For a period it was also known as Black+White magazine....
In September 2006, she released an up-beat cover
Cover version
In popular music, a cover version or cover song, or simply cover, is a new performance or recording of a contemporary or previously recorded, commercially released song or popular song...
of the Divinyls
Divinyls
Divinyls were an Australian rock band formed in Sydney in 1980 and featuring vocalist Christina Amphlett and guitarist Mark McEntee. As the focal point, Amphlett performed on stage wearing a school uniform and fishnet stockings, often using an illuminated neon tube as a prop and displaying...
1990 number one hit "I Touch Myself", receiving generally positive reviews. The single peaked at No.5 on the AIR charts and was performed on the ARL Footy Show.
Her debut solo album Bite Your Tongue
Bite Your Tongue
Bite Your Tongue is the debut solo album by Australian singer-songwriter Tiffani Wood. It was released in Australia on 14 October 2006 through Wood's own independent record label Mudhoney Records.- Album information :...
was released in October 2006 and features a collection of self-penned rock-pop songs touching on issues such as body image, falling asleep behind the wheel and the entertainment industry. Respected music critic Cameron Adams gave the album three stars, crediting Wood for her "powerful voice" and describing the record as "sassy".
In 2007, Tiffani Wood appeared in the stage musical Las Vegas Confidential – The Musical. In 2009 she reunited with Katie Underwood
Katie Underwood
Not to be confused with Carrie Underwood.Katie Underwood is an Australian singer-songwriter, best known for being a member of Bardot, winners of the first Australian series of Popstars in 2000....
in the stage show Valentino.
Personal life
In December 2005, Wood publicly announced her engagement to UK born bouncer Neil Cummins, and the couple married on 28 January 2007. Photos from their wedding featured in OK! magazineOK!
OK! is a British weekly magazine specializing in celebrity news. Originally launched as a monthly, its first issue was published in April 1993. In September 2004, OK! publishers Northern and Shell launched in Australia as a monthly title – the magazine went weekly in October 2006...
. She later gave birth to their first child, Lillian Adel. The couple have since separated and were divorced in May 2009.
Albums
- 2006: Bite Your TongueBite Your TongueBite Your Tongue is the debut solo album by Australian singer-songwriter Tiffani Wood. It was released in Australia on 14 October 2006 through Wood's own independent record label Mudhoney Records.- Album information :...
- 2008: Acoustic Dreams – LullabiesLullabyA lullaby is a soothing song, usually sung to young children before they go to sleep, with the intention of speeding that process. As a result they are often simple and repetitive. Lullabies can be found in every culture and since the ancient period....
for Babies
Singles
- 2004: "What R U Waiting 4"
- 2005: "Devil in Your Soul"
- 2006: "Spin the Bottle"
- 2006: "I Touch MyselfI Touch Myself"I Touch Myself" is a 1990 single by the Australian rock band Divinyls. The song was written by Divinyls bandmembers Christina Amphlett and Mark McEntee and professional songwriters Tom Kelly and Billy Steinberg for the band's self-titled album...
"
External links
- Official website
- Tiffani Wood at MySpace