Melissa Tkautz
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| Melissa Tkautz | |
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| Background information | |
| Born | January 27, 1974 |
| Origin | Sydney, Australia |
| Genre(s) | Pop, Dance & Europop |
| Years active | 1989–present |
| Label(s) | Phantom Records & Westside Records (1991) JRB Music Distributors: Big Records & Rajon Music Group (2005) & Central Station Records (2007–present) |
| Website | www.myspace.com/melissatkautzofficial |
Melissa Natalie Tkautz (born January 24, 1974) is an Australian actress, singer, song writer and model of Austrian and Maltese heritage.
[edit] Early career
Born in Sydney, Tkautz began her career at age 3. She appeared in television and print commercials and later began acting in soap operas Richmond Hill and Home & Away in the late 1980s. Tkautz also had a supporting role in the mini-series The Girl from Tomorrow. During this time she attended the Academy of Dramatic and Social Arts in Sydney, graduating in 1991.
[edit] E-Street
At age 17, Melissa was cast in the role of Nikki Spencer on the hit Australian soap opera E Street.
Nikki Spencer had moved to Westside (the fictitious Sydney suburb where the show took place) with her brother Zac. She was sent their to live with her aunt and uncle, George and Martha Sullivan. Nikki soon became involved in a relationship with the local police constable, Max Simmons (played by Bruce Samazan).
Tkautz soon became one of the show's main stars due to the popularity of her character. In 1991, she was voted as the Hottest female on the earth by readers of TV Hits Magazine. Due to this popularity, the producers decided to have Melissa record a song, which would be used in the show as part of a dream sequence, where Nikki had dreamed she was a pop star. This resulted in a recording career for Melissa however the pressures of juggling two full time career's, Melissa left E Street to concentrate on her music career.
In 2007, a New Idea Magazine article revealed Melissa had relationships with E Street co-stars Marcus Graham and Simon Baker. Baker also appeared in her video for her single "Read My Lips".
[edit] Read My Lips
The idea of recording a song (as part of a dream sequence for her character) was put forward by the makers of E-Street. Melissa was signed to the record label Westside Records that had been created by the shows producer's, and recorded the single "Read My Lips". The single was launched via the show and soon shot to the number one position on the ARIA Charts, the highest selling Australian single for the year in 1991. A music video was released for the song and the single was available on CD, Cassingle, 7 and 12 inch format. 'Say Goodbye' featured as the B-Side on the single.
So popular was the song, Gina Riley, Kim from Kath & Kim, parodied "Read My Lips" on the comedy show, Fast Forward. The send up was titled "Pout Your Lips".
Since 1991, Melissa has re-recorded Read My Lips twice, the first version as 'Electro Pushers Remix' which was to be included as a bonus track on her unreleased 3rd Album 'Glamorous Life'. The second and newest verion of the song is the 'Neon Stereo Remix' which was preformed LIVE by Melissa on Channel 7's Moring Show. This version features stong electro beats keyboards, bringing it up to date with today's dance music. This version will be used for promotional reasons and live performances only.
[edit] Sexy (Is The Word)
Due to the massive success of "Read My Lips", a follow up single was recorded, and like the first single, it made its debut on an episode of E Street. Released in 1991 also, the song reached number 3 on the Australian charts. A music video was released for the song and the single was available on CD, Cassingle, 7 and 12 inch format. My Favourite Room featured as the B-Side for the single.
At the end of the year, Melissa performed "Sexy (Is The Word)" at the 1991 Rugby League Grand final, and also sang parts of Tina Turner's "The Best" with other performers, it being the Rugby League's anthem that year. Also in 1991, Melissa toured the country, as a support act for C+C Music Factory's Australian Tour.
In 2005, Melissa re-recorded Sexy (Is The Word) and it featured as a BONUS track on her 2005 Album 'Lost & Found' as both a radio edit and a club mix'.
[edit] Fresh
In 1992, having left E Street, Melissa’s debut album Fresh was released. Containing 10 tracks, including the hits "Read My Lips" and "Sexy (Is The Word)", the album peaked at number 13 on the ARIA Album Charts. The single "Skin To Skin" was released and became a top 20 hit. Tkautz also performed a National tour showcasing her talents and the album. Due to her diverse fan base, Tkautz would often perform two shows a day, a show during the day for her younger fans, and then evening concerts for her adult audience. 'Fresh' was released on CD and Cassette format.
Tracks Included:
1)Sexy (Is The Word) 2)Let's Get Pumping 3)My Imagination 4)Skin To Skin 5)If We Live Forever 6)Read My Lips 7)Tonight's The Night 8)My House 9)Something About You 10)Ain't No Saint
[edit] Skin To Skin
Melissa's 3rd single, 'Skin To Skin' was released in 1992 after the debut of her first album 'Fresh'. Skin To Skin peaked at number 16 on the ARIA Charts. A music video was released for the song and the single was available on CD, Cassingle and 12 inch format. Take It From Me featured as the B-Side for the single.
[edit] My House
Melissa's 4th single, 'My House', was released in 1992. My House unfortunatly failed to chart on the ARIA Charts, due to limited airplay. A music video was released for the song and the single was available on CD Single format. Let Me Out featured as the B-Side for the single.
[edit] Return To E-Street
In 1993, Melissa decided to return to E Street. Producers of the show, and fans were thrilled to have her back, and Nikki’s return to Westside was one of the shows main drawcards and major focuses for the lead in to the 1993 season. However despite the good ratings the show was delivering, the show had declined in story lines and due to budget issues the network decided to cancel E Street in May 1993.
[edit] Is It..?
In 1993, after E-Street ended, Melissa decided to re-spark her music career. Melissa released a new single 'Is It My Body' commonly known as Is It...? The release of this single launched a new direction for Melissa. She had a new look, and a some what funkier sound. The single was received well critically, however due to limited airplay and mis-management of her career, the single peaked at #39 on the ARIA Singles Chart. Is It...? was to be the 1st single from her second album, which was scrapped. This was her last commercially released single until 2005.
[edit] Pacific Drive
In 1996 Tkautz joined the series Pacific Drive, where she played a model named Bethany Daniels. Dubbed as an "Australian version of Melrose Place" the series was filmed on the Gold Coast, Queensland. Despite the series never really taking off, this role was a major career move for Tkautz, playing the first ever long term HIV Positive character on Australian Television and the series has since gained a cult following. When the show was cancelled after 2 seasons, Tkautz then joined the cast of Medivac as Nurse Evie Morrison. Tkautz later appeared in the series All Saints. Over the years, Tkautz continued working as a model doing local and international projects.
[edit] Lost And Found, The Glamorous Life and All I Want
In 2005, Tkautz relaunched her music career with a new single, a cover version of "The Glamorous Life", a song originally performed by Sheila E and written by Prince. Tkautz's re-working featured heavy guitars and a strong electro beat, however its release was marred by another cover of the same track by fellow Australian, producer Mr Timothy featuring Inaya Day on vocals.
Naturally having two versions of the same song released at the same time, compromised airplay, however Tkautz toured the country promoting the single with her dancers gaining the track some success on the charts. It debuted at its peak position - #31 on the ARIA charts top 100. It also reached #6 on ARIA club chart, #8 on ARIA dance chart and #8 on ARIA Australasian chart.
It had been a 15 year gap between album releases for Tkautz, yet her second album Lost & Found was released on December 4, 2005.
Tkautz's second single from this era, "All I Want", was released in November 2005, and peaked at #72 on the ARIA charts. The video for this single was not released, yet the song gained much attention in clubs around Australia with its various remixes.
Meanwhile the single "Glamorous Life" has had success internationally, and in July 2007, the single was released in parts of Europe, such as the Netherlands.
[edit] Easily Affected
Melissa travelled to Sweeden in early 2006 to work with the pop writing sensations 2N. Whilst there she recorded Easily Affected, Fake It Good and Not Enough. Fake It Good was to be released as her new single, however Easily Affected was considered more popular, thus it was released on 21st October. Easily Affected peaked at #86 on the ARIA chart. A music video was released for the song and the single was available on CD Single format. Easily Affected (12" Extended Version), Blink and The Glamorous Life (D.O.N.S. Remix) all featured as extra tracks.
[edit] Glamorous Life Album
Melissa released Easily Affected which was to be the 1st single from her 3rd album 'Glamorous Life'. The new album was to feature Easily Affected, Fake It Good and Not Enough (3 songs recorded with 2N in Sweeden) as well as reworked versions of select songs from Lost & Found. The Album was also to feature a rare recording of Read My Lips (Electro Pushers Remix. This album was never commercially released, presumably due to Easily Affected peaking at #86. However, bootlegs and burnt copies have been quietly circulated around Melissa's stong Gay Supporters. This project may be seen in late 2008. Little is known about this project, however some of these songs may be released commercially in the distant future.
[edit] I Want Your Love
Australian club scene icon and mix compilation legend Nick Skitz unveils the first single from his upcoming artist album. Teaming up with pop & TV starlet Melissa Tkautz, the combination delivers a high impact piece of pop magic that’s set to fire up dance floors and air waves alike. Taking the old Transvision Vamp number ‘I Want Your Love’ and turning it on its head, Skitz unleashes his rock tendencies while Melissa gives the vocal a distinctive edge for 2008. With a $50k video shot in Germany and the combined profile of these two dance and pop powerhouses, ‘I Want Your Love’ is set to explode.
Track Listing: 1. Radio Mix 2. Mark Rachelle Mix 3. Disco Nexxion Remix 4. Bohn & Kasten Remix 5. Kamikaze Kid Remix 6. Al Storm Remix
After only one week of sales the single debuted at No.60 on the combined ARIA singles charts, and No.26 on the physical singles sales charts on Mon 14th April 2008. A CD and DVD Single was released.
[edit] Recent Projects
Melissa performed at the Annual Gay And Lesbian Mardi Gras Fair Day in February 2008. Her set included 4 songs including: "Easily Affected", "True Love" (From Melissa's Lost & Found Album) "Read My Lips" (Neon Stereo Remix) as well as Melissa's new single "I Want Your Love".
Melissa also preformed at Brisbane's BIG GAY DAY held at the Wickham Hotel in Fortitude Valley on March 9. She performed 'The Glamorous Life', 'Read My Lips' and 'I Want Your Love'.
JUST CONFIRMED: Melissa has just signed onto the independent teen pilot ‘Revolution’, to begin shooting in June. melissa will play wealthy socialite Sarah Morgan in the pilot, which also stars Frank Sweet, Peter Phelps and Mark Furze. The Pilot will be Directed by former Associate Producer of US hit show ‘ANGEL’- RD Price.
[edit] Discography
[edit] Albums
- 1992 Fresh AUS#15
- 2005 Lost & Found
- 2006 Glamorous Life UNRELEASED
[edit] Singles
| Year | Title | Album | Australia ARIA Charts Positions | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Singles Chart | Australasian Chart | Dance Chart | Club Chart | ||||
| 1991 | "Read My Lips" | Fresh | #1 | #1 | |||
| 1991 | "Sexy (Is The Word)" | Fresh | #3 | ||||
| 1992 | "Skin to Skin" | Fresh | #16 | ||||
| 1992 | "My House" | Fresh | failed to chart | ||||
| 1993 | "Is It...?" | Single-Only | #39 | ||||
| 2005 | "The Glamorous Life" | Lost & Found | #31 | #8 | #8 | #6 | |
| 2005 | "All I Want" | Lost & Found | #72 | #19 | #10 | #28 | |
| 2006 | "Easily Affected" | Single-Only | #86 | #17 | #11 | ||
| 2008 | "I Want Your Love" | (with Nick Skitz) | #60 | #18 | #8 | ||
[edit] Misc
[edit] Compilations
Compilations containing Melissa Tkautz songs.
- 1991: 100% Hits - "Read My Lips"
- 1991: 100% Hits Volume 2 - "Sexy (Is The Word)"
- 1992: 100% Hits Volume 4 - "Skin To Skin"
- 1993: E-Street The Music (TV Soundtrack) - "Read My Lips", "Sexy (Is The Word)" and "Skin To Skin"
- 1995: Take 40 No. 1's - "Read My Lips"
- 2005: Pepsi More Music - Best Of 2005 (DVD/Video compilation) - "The Glamorous Life"
- 2006: Wild Summer 2006 - "The Glamorous Life"
- 2006: Stonewall The Addiction (Mixed By Luke Leal) - "All I Want"
- 2006: Dance Hits Vol.2 - Eurodance Music Videos (Russian DVD/Video compilation) - "The Glamorous Life"
- 2006* Stonewall - The Addiction - "All I Want (Lost Knowledge Remix)"
- Clubworx 2 - (South Africa DVD/Video compilation) - "The Glamorous Life"
- Video Hits 20 Years of Australian Hits - "Sexy (Is The Word)"
- So Fresh Summer 2007 - "Easily Affected"
[edit] Awards and recognition
| Year | Award-giving Body | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1992 | ARIA Award | Highest Selling Single (Read My Lips) | Won |
| 1992 | ARIA Award | Best New Talent (Read My Lips) | Nominated |
| 1991 | Logie Award | Best New Talent (E-Street) | Nominated |
[edit] References
- CelebritiesTime.com. Biography information. Retrieved on April 23, 2006.
- Talk About The Music. Information. Retrieved on April 23, 2006.
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