Jordis Unga
Jordis Unga | |
---|---|
2020 United States Census | |
Background information | |
Birth name | Jordis Losana Sikahema Unga |
Born | Chicopee, Massachusetts, U.S. | August 6, 1982
Origin | Forest Lake, Minnesota, U.S. |
Genres | |
Occupation(s) | Singer, songwriter |
Years active | 2002–present |
Jordis Losana Sikahema Unga (born August 6, 1982) is an American rock singer from
Biography
Early years
Unga comes from a musical family. Her father, originally from
Unga attended Forest Lake Area High School, and, in 2000, the Perpich Center for Arts Education for her senior year of high school where she studied music.
Early 2002, Unga was the front singer for The Fighting Tongs. The band adopted the name from the movie Big Trouble in Little China. The band supported Twisted Sister, Anthrax, Sevendust and Damageplan. It was dissolved after recording a self-financed EP, Horseshoes and Hand Grenades. Ex-members including Unga, drummer Corey Frazee, guitarist "Moose" Hitchcock and bassist Josh Hoglund formed "Liars Club".
Unga first appeared on television as a contestant on Star Search (2004) but was knocked out of the competition in the first round.
Rock Star: INXS (2005)
She appeared on the first season of the
As the youngest contestant at age 22, Unga received international notoriety for her rendition of The Who's 'Baba O'Riley'. Dave Navarro, one of the judges, declared, "Let's close the competition now!" Unga scored high marks in the second round of the competition with Nirvana's "Heart-Shaped Box". Halfway through the competition, Unga was invited by Navarro to perform The Clash's "Should I Stay or Should I Go" with his band Camp Freddy at the West Hollywood House of Blues. Camp Freddy featured former The Cult bassist Billy Morrison on guitar and ex-Jane's Addiction drummer Stephen Perkins.
During the show, Unga achieved the feat of simultaneously having the top four most downloaded songs on MSN Music, reaching the No. 1 position on the MSN charts being an unprecedented feat for an unsigned artist.[5]
Unga's performances on Rock Star: INXS by week of the performance:
- Week 1:
- Week 2:
- Week 3:
- Week 4:
- The Man Who Sold the World (David Bowie) – Encore Performance
- Week 5:
- Week 6:
- Knockin' on Heaven's Door (Bob Dylan)
- Week 7:
- Week 8:
- Imagine (John Lennon)
- Listen Like Thieves (INXS) – Bottom 3 Performance
- Week 9:
- We Are the Champions (Queen)
- Try Not (Jordis Unga)
- Us (INXS) – Ensemble of remaining contestants with INXS
- Need You Tonight (INXS) – 'Bottom 3 Performance'
Unga placed fifth after being eliminated on September 7, 2005, but left the show with an Epic Records recording contract.
After Rock Star: INXS
After the competition, Unga spent time writing songs and recording demos for her debut album, but it was never released. Epic Records paired her with various collaborators, including David Hodges and the duo Anne Preven and Scott Cutler of Ednaswap.
Unga's first official live performance was October 15, 2005, singing the national anthem at
Unga was invited by Yolanda 'Lonnie' and
Unga has co-written music with Oscar-nominated songwriters
In The Voice (2012)
In 2012, Jordis Unga took part in the
On March 5, 2012, Unga defeated Brian Fuente in the Battle Rounds to advance to the Live Shows.
Unga was eliminated in the quarterfinal round on April 16, 2012. On the finale results show, she was called back by finalist Tony Lucca to perform Fleetwood Mac's "Go Your Own Way" with him as one of his final performances.
A Letter from Home (2012–present)
In 2012, Jordis started a Kickstarter campaign in order to release her debut album 'A Letter from Home'. The campaign gained 1,424 backers and pledged $75,949 (with a goal of $33,300), and raised $45,000 within the first three days.[7][8] However, Unga's Kickstarter campaign became the subject of multiple Federal Trade Commission complaints due to unfulfilled rewards.[9]
Discography
Studio albums
- A Letter from Home (2014) [10]
Compilations
- A Night at the Mayan Theatre (2005) (includes her interpretation of "Baba O'Riley" by The Who and "The Man Who Sold the World" by David Bowie as a bonus track.) [11]
- The Best of Rock Star: INXS (2005) (includes her performances of "Imagine" by John Lennon) [12]
Songs
- Pretty Vegas (2005) (co-composer with Marty Casey, Andrew Farriss and J.D. Fortune) [13]
Videography
A DVD titled Rock Star: INXS The DVD was released on November 29, 2005, containing selected performances by the final six contestants (J.D. Fortune, Marty Casey, Mig Ayesa, Suzie McNeil, Jordis Unga, and Ty Taylor) as well as the post-finale mini-concert by INXS & J.D. Fortune, short behind-the-scenes footage, and extras including the contestants' casting interviews and a photo slideshow.[14]
Unga's performances for Rock Star: INXS The DVD were taken from episodes throughout the series:
- Week 1, Episode 2: Jordis Unga – "Heart-Shaped Box" (Nirvana)
- Week 4, Episode 11: – "The Man Who Sold the World"
- Week 8, Episode 23 – "Imagine" (John Lennon)
References
- ^ "Rock Star". CBS. Retrieved October 18, 2012.
- ^ Riemenschneider, Chris. "Jordis Unga is eliminated on "The Voice"". StarTribune.com. Retrieved October 18, 2012.
- ^ "CBC Rock Star Jordis page". Cbs.com. Retrieved October 18, 2012.
- ^ IMDb Jordis Unga page
- ^ "Jordis Unga". Takamine. November 19, 2005. Archived from the original on April 6, 2012. Retrieved October 18, 2012.
- ^ [1] Archived November 20, 2010, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "JORDIS UNGA is making her debut record!!". Kickstarter. Retrieved February 5, 2017.
- ^ "Jordis Unga's "Voice" heard loudly on Kickstarter". Star Tribune. Retrieved February 5, 2017.
- ^ Tracy, Abigail. "These Could Be The Kickstarters The Feds Go After Next". Forbes. Retrieved February 5, 2017.
- ^ "A Letter from Home by Jordis Unga on Apple Music". iTunes. Retrieved February 5, 2017.
- ^ "Rock Star – A Night At the Mayan Theatre by Various Artists on Apple Music". iTunes. September 20, 2005. Retrieved February 5, 2017.
- ^ "The Best of Rock Star: INXS by Various Artists on Apple Music". iTunes. November 29, 2005. Retrieved February 5, 2017.
- ^ Collar, Matt (November 29, 2005). "Switch – INXS : Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards". AllMusic. Retrieved October 18, 2012.
- ^ "Rock Star: INXS – the DVD (Video 2005) – IMDb". IMDb.
External links
- Jordis Unga on Facebook
- Jordis Unga at IMDb