Natalie Gauci

Natalie Rose Gauci (born 26 November 1981) is an Australian musician, producer and teacher. Gauci undertook music tuition at the Victorian College of the Arts, formed her own band that played gigs in Melbourne, while also working as a music teacher. After an appearance on national radio station Triple J's talent contest, Unearthed, she successfully auditioned for the fifth series of Australian Idol in 2007 and went on to win the series.

Gauci subsequently signed a record deal with Sony BMG Australia and in November that year released her debut single, "Here I Am", which reached number two on the ARIA Singles Chart and gained a gold accreditation. The next month her debut album, The Winner's Journey, followed. It peaked at number eleven on the ARIA Albums Chart and was certified platinum. In 2010 she formed Tune in Tokyo, an electro-pop band, with producer Paul Brandoli, they released two singles, "Dreamer" (November 2010) and "Ray of Love" (April 2012). On 1 July 2012 Gauci released her second studio album, jazz-oriented Ha Ha Ha, on The Gauch Records and followed on 3 September with an alternative-electronic EP, Elektrik Field. By August that year Gauci was living and working in London both as a recording artist and music teacher.

Early life

Natalie Gauci was born on 26 November 1981 and grew up in Melbourne. before studying music at the Victorian College of the Arts. In August 1996 Gauci acted as 'ORCA Girl' on Australian science fiction TV series, Ocean Girl, Season 3, Episode 3, "Draining the Spaceship". From the age of 17, she began writing songs.

Gauci performed as a session musician, and in 2002, she began writing her debut three-track extended play, Take It or Leave It,

In 2006 she formed the Natalie Gauci Band with herself on lead vocals and keyboards, Jules Pascoe on electric and double bass, Conrad Tracey on drums and percussion, and Kumar Shome on electric and acoustic guitar. They played soul, pop, and jazz at local pubs, clubs, weddings, and corporate functions. To help fund her work, Gauci worked as a vocals teacher at the Academy of Mary Immaculate, Fitzroy; and Assumption College, Kilmore.

Australian Idol

In 2007 Natalie Gauci auditioned in Melbourne for the fifth series of TV talent competition, Australian Idol. and a rendition of Gloria Gaynor's "I Will Survive". Gauci advanced to the next round, and continued to impress the judges, resulting in her selection in the top 24. Her performance of "Hurt" by Christina Aguilera did not gain enough public votes to proceed to the top 12. However, she was selected by the judges to perform in the wildcard, an episode from which four contestants would be chosen to complete the top 12. Gauci performed "Feeling Good" by Nina Simone. She did not gain enough votes, but was selected by the judges to be the final top 12 member.

Gauci progressed through the top 12 knockout phase; it was not until the eighth week, with five contestants remaining, that she appeared in the bottom three—those with the three lowest number of votes for that week. Her performances have earned acclaim; The Courier-Mail noted her renditions of Rihanna's "Umbrella", Kate Bush's "Running Up that Hill", and Gnarls Barkley's "Crazy" as highlights. Her performances of "Umbrella", Divinyls' "Boys in Town", and Morgan Lewis's "How High the Moon" earned "touchdowns" from Holden. who had previously written for the Backstreet Boys. Both Corby and Gauci were critical of the track, with Gauci professing confusion as the demo version had male vocals – she adapted it to be consistent with her jazz music style. While Corby felt it was "not something I'd choose to release ... Yes, I'm being diplomatic. Even though this competition has made me look like I'm into pop, I'm really not". which included as a B-side, her original track, "All in My Mind". "Here I Am" debuted on the ARIA Singles Chart at number two.

Her debut album, The Winner's Journey, was released on 8 December 2007. Unlike Damien Leith's Winners Journey of the previous year, Gauci's CD/DVD did not include Australian Idol stage performances. Instead it had an interview with John Foreman and recorded versions of the songs performed during her time on the show. The album debuted on the ARIA Albums Chart at number twelve, before reaching its peak of number eleven in its second week on the chart. The album sold 11,489 copies in its first week, compared to Leith's 89,257 copies the previous year.

Sony BMG then released a second DVD titled, The Final Two, on 17 December 2007. It had separate performances on the show by Gauci and Corby.

2009–2020: New label, Tune in Tokyo and solo

In August 2009 Natalie Gauci left Sony Music because "she felt pushed and prodded" by the label. In January 2010 Gauci collaborated with a European record label, Sorry Shoes, and issued a new single, "Without You", in May.

In 2010 Gauci formed Tune in Tokyo, an electro-pop and dance music band, with producer Paul Brandoli. Gauci explained, "That's where I came out of my shell. I didn't have anyone telling me what to do. Tune in Tokyo is just one part of what I want to do. We got a lot of feedback straight away, which was great because it gave me confidence about the project". which peaked at No. 3 on the ARIA Clubs Chart. It was co-written by Brandoli and Gauci. She revealed that she was working on the group's debut album and that she had made a cameo for a 2011 film, Big Mamma's Boy, which stars actress, Holly Valance.

In 2011 Gauci travelled to Europe, where she worked with producers and DJ's, by August 2012 she had moved to London where she continued her recording and teaching music careers. She has performed under the name Nellie Bell from about 2013 to mid-2015.

During early 2012 Gauci toured Europe including Spain, Belgium, Italy, The Netherlands and Germany before settling in Sweden. The actual release of the single however, was ultimately cancelled. On 20 November an Italian duo of DJ-producers, Jack & Joy (aka Max Bondino and Luca Loi) issued their single, "We Are the Stars" featuring Gauci, on Adaptor Recordings. In July Gauci released her second studio album, a jazz effort, Ha Ha Ha, on The Gauch Records. In September she released an alternative-electronic EP, Elektrik Field.

In August 2017 she stated that she would release several EP:s, "over the coming months".

In 2020 she was a contestant in the ninth season of The Voice (Australian TV series), with the audition song "The Greatest" and choose team Guy. Gauci was eliminated in the battle rounds.

2021–present: Brand New Day In October 2021, Gauci released "Pictures of Mars", the lead single from her album of the same name, which was scheduled for release in 2022. However, Pictures of Mars was never released.

In July 2024, Gauci released the album Brand New Day. Gauci said, "It's my truth, my story, which I feel many people will relate to. It's about searching for love, faith and looking for hope." A children's book of the same name was also released. Gauci provided backing vocals for "Some Day We'll All Come Together" on Cordrazine's second album, Always Coming Down (August 2010). Cowan declared "I would love to do a duet with her, she inspires me and is my muse... Nat's passion and unwillingness to compromise her art and vision keeps me focused and betters me in every way." Gauci's jazz album, Ha Ha Ha (July 2012), deals with the relationship, Sunday Herald Suns Nui Te Koha reported that it would "detail Gauci's personal and professional highs and lows, including a split from her husband of two years".

Discography

Studio albums

+ List of albums, with selected chart positions and certifications Title Album details Peak chart positions CertificationsAUS The Winner's Journey Released: 8 December 2007 Format: CD, digital download Label: Sony Music Australia 11 ARIA: Platinum Ha Ha Ha Released: 1 July 2012 Format: Digital Label: The Gauch —Brand New Day Released: 5 July 2024 Format: Digital download, streaming Label: NATG

Singles

+ List of singles, with selected chart positions and certifications, showing year released and album name Title Year Peak chartpositions Certifications AlbumAUS The Winner's Journey "Without You" 2010 — "C U Later" 2011 — "Pictures of Mars" 2021 — "I Thought It Was You" 2024 — Brand New Day "Fame" — "How You Feel" 2026 — "—" denotes releases that did not chart.

As featured artist

+ List of featured singles Title Year "We Are the Stars"(Jack & Joy featuring Natalie Gauci) 2012 "Part Time Lover"(Voltaxx & Mike Kelly featuring Natalie Gauci) "Kandy Kandy"(Alexander Fog featuring Natalie Gauci) 2013

Awards and nominations AIR Awards The Australian Independent Record Awards (commonly known informally as AIR Awards) is an annual awards night to recognise, promote and celebrate the success of Australia's Independent Music sector.

Best Independent Jazz Album or EP