Fiona Apple is an extraordinary person. It is almost impossible to interview her, she is closed from parties and social events.
The girl leads a reclusive life and rarely writes music. But the tracks that came out from under her pen are worthy of attention.
Fiona Apple first appeared on stage in 1994. She positions herself as a singer, composer and songwriter. The girl gained wide popularity in 1996. It was then that Apple presented the album Tidal and the single Criminal.
Childhood and youth of Fiona Apple
Fiona Apple McAfee-Maggart was born on September 13, 1977 in New York City. The girl's parents are directly related to art and creativity.
The head of the family, Brandon Maggart, is a popular actor. Viewers can see Maggart in the series: ER, Married. With Children" and "Murder, She Wrote".
Mom, Diane McAfee, is a popular performer. Fiona has a sister, Amber Maggart, who realized herself as a singer, as well as a younger brother, Spencer Maggart, who is a production director.
Apple grew up a very modest, even shy child. At the age of 11, the girl had a nervous breakdown. It got to the point that Fiona had to undergo a rehabilitation course, which helped her return to her usual life.
But before the girl had time to come to her senses, at the age of 12 she experienced another strong emotional and physical shock - she became a victim of rape. Later, this event left an imprint on her entire life and work.
After the incident, the situation with mental health only worsened. The girl began to worry about panic attacks. She couldn't eat.
In this regard, Fiona moved to her father in Los Angeles for a year to be treated in a specialized clinic. The father, who devoted almost all his time to work, tried to occupy the child whenever possible.
Apple often visited her father for rehearsals. It helped her relax. In addition, her first attempts to make music began here.
The creative path and music of Fiona Apple
The development of Fiona Apple's creative career is due to one funny incident. In the mid-1990s, the girl shares with her friend a collection of her tracks, which she recorded on her own.
Apple's girlfriend worked as a nurse at the home of popular music journalist Kathryn Schenker. Gaining courage, a friend asked the journalist to express her opinion about her friend's talent.
She held out a cassette of Apple recordings to Catherine Schenker. Catherine was pleasantly surprised by what awaited her on the cassette - Fiona's low, husky voice and impeccable piano playing subdued the demanding journalist.
Schenker promised to help Apple. She soon gave the demo to Sony Music CEO Andy Slater. Andy, without hesitation, contacted Fiona and offered to sign a contract.
Interestingly, the first "underground" collection included one of Apple's most recognizable tracks. We are talking about the musical composition Never Is a Promise.
The debut album of the beginning singer was published in 1996. It was named Tidal. On the territory of the United States of America, the disc became "platinum" three times. The track Criminal became the top composition of the collection.
A thin and beautiful girl with big blue eyes attracted music lovers like a magnet. It seems that she did not want attention from fans at all.
The only thing that moved Apple was the desire to sing. Her peculiar, sometimes rough voice, was not combined with a fragile appearance. And this combination only increased interest in Fiona.
In 1999, Fiona Apple's discography was replenished with a second studio album, which was included in the Guinness Book of Records due to its bizarre title.
The title consisted of 90 words. However, the album hit the music market with the name When the Pawn…. The compilation was led by the musical composition Fast As You Can.
After the release of the second album, music critics called Fiona Apple the queen of alternative rock. The behavior of the singer did not change anything.
In her behavior, she remained the same shy 11-year-old girl. During this time, Fiona released a number of music videos.
Fiona Apple's departure from the stage
Apple was at the very top of the musical Olympus. At the peak of her popularity, the singer disappeared from sight.
Magazines and newspapers were full of headlines that Fiona was in a severe depression due to her divorce from famous director Tom Paul Andersen.
The relationship of the stars began in 1998. It was a passionate but not long romance. Together they even filmed a music video for the Beatles Across the Universe, covered by Fiona.
Apple disappeared for 6 years. Only in 2005 did the singer present the new album Extraordinary Machine to music lovers. Music critics marked the release of the collection with the highest scores.
Compulsory listening to the composition Not About Love, which, in fact, was included in the aforementioned album. "Fans" noted that the singer's tracks became even more meaningful, and the videos became sad, and even depressing.
After the presentation of the album, Apple disappeared again. Fiona did not appear on stage for 7 years and did not please her fans with new songs. When, after 7 years, Apple came to the recording studio with tracks for the new album, the producer was very surprised.
Soon the singer's discography was replenished with the collection The Idler Wheel Is Wiser Than the Driver of the Screw and Whipping Cords Will Serve You More Than Ropes Will Ever Do.
The release of the record was ahead of the track Every Single Night. Soon, the singer also presented a video clip for the composition. Not everyone was thrilled with the new clip.
In it, Fiona Apple appeared in a completely different image - unhealthy thinness, dark circles under the eyes, pale skin. As it turned out later, Apple became a vegan.
Fiona Apple today
In 2020, Fiona Apple returned to her fans. After 8 years of silence, the cult singer of the 1990s Fiona Apple released a new collection Fetch the Bolt Cutters.
This is one of the most anticipated albums of 2020 along with compilations by Kendrick Lamar and Frank Ocean according to Picthfork. The record was very much needed by music lovers in a busy time.
The recording of the new collection was carried out in the singer's house, in compliance with the rules of self-isolation. The album was released on April 17, reviews were published by The Guardian, New Yorker, Pitchfork, American Vogue magazine.
This collection is original. Here you can hear everything: rock, blues, lyrics, as well as Fiona Apple's signature piano. “Everything you need for the soul can be found on the Fetch the Bolt Cutters… album,” commented music critics.
