Opāru (musician)
Opāru | |
---|---|
Background information | |
Birth name | Dianna Marie St. Hilaire |
Born | Modesto, California |
Origin | Los Angeles, California |
Occupation(s) | Musician |
Years active | 2001–present |
Labels | Evileye Records |
Website | www |
Dianna Marie St. Hilaire,
Teaching herself how to read music and play the piano at age 8, she spent most of her younger years in school choirs and friends bands. She temporarily gave up the idea of pursuing music, but began to write again at age 18 after leaving home.
In 2001 she was in the movie
In 2015 St. Hilaire started a new project Opāru, the name derived from the Japanese name of the birthstone opal.[5]
Early work
In 2002 Versailles created a four-song demo under the name Versailles Suicide called
In 2003 Dianna changed the name to Versailles, releasing the
In 2004, during Versailles' time in
In 2005, she released a four-song EP called
Cleopatra Records
In 2005 Versailles was approached and asked to do a song for the Cleopatra Records compilation A Gothic Acoustic Tribute To Nine Inch Nails. For this album she covered the song "Something I Can Never Have".[12] This was followed by two more releases on Cleopatra Records: A Tribute To She Wants Revenge in 2006, covering the song "She Loves Me, She Loves Me Not",[3] and A Tribute To The Smiths in 2007 covering "What Difference Does It Make?",[13] both produced by Gregory Butler.[3] Later she was placed on the Cleopatra release Gothic Divas 2007.[3]
Broken Dolls
In 2008 Versailles released the full-length CD Broken Dolls on her label Evileye Records.
Trademark
In 2008 Versailles forced the Japanese band Versailles to change their name to Versailles Philharmonic Quintet. Dianna St. Hilaire had registered the US Trademark. She sent a letter to them from her lawyer telling them to stop using it in the United States.[19]
2010
In 2010 Versailles released the EP Wendy’s Razorblades written and produced by Dianna and released on her label Evileye Records.[2] She was also on Songs To Die For, a compilation CD released by Darkest Jack. This CD features live versions of "Massacre" and "Wendy’s Razorblades".[20]
BFM Digital
In 2011 Versailles evolved her sound again, making the
Years 2012 to 2015
In 2012 Versailles released the full-length CD Pages. This album has songs from Broken Dolls, Sacrifice, and Wendy’s Razorblades, and it was listed on the 55th
In 2012 Versailles was featured in the Kim Fowley movie Black Room Doom.[2] This movie was given the special Jury Prize at the 13th Annual Melbourne Underground Film Festival.
In 2013 Versailles released a new CD Targets, co-written and produced by Kim Fowley. This album features a new sound with writers Severa Miles and Noizee. This CD is referred to as bubble gum/Euro rock & pop.[23]
St. Hilaire has shared the stage with Voltaire, Kim Fowley, Ego Likeness, Bella Morte, New Model Army, Modwheelmood, Hellblinki, Demonika & The Darklings, Bella Lune, Peeling Grey, and many others.
St. Hilaire as Opāru
St. Hilaire’s debut song as Opāru was released in December 2016. St. Hilaire and Josh Stevens created the song “Remember Me”.[24]
Opāru followed this in December 2019 with ‘Ghost To Follow’.[25][26]
Opāru currently works with music libraries and agencies Megatrax, Mpath, APM, Madden Flow, Two Oh Six Music, For Goodness Sync, Unicorn Sync, World Fusion Music Productions, 722 Sync, What Up Pitches, Auribus, EMI, and Universal Music Group.[5]
Discography
Studio albums
- Live Your Life, 2003
- Broken Dolls, 2008
- Pages, 2012
- Targets, 2013
EPs
- Fallen Angel, 2002; Demo
- Kiss, 2003
- Believe, 2005
- Wendy's Razorblades, 2010
- Sacrifice, 2011
- Love Me, 2019
- Heart’s In A War, 2021
- We Will, 2022
Singles
- Remember Me, 2016
- The Deep End, 2017
- Ghost To Follow, 2018
- September Storm, 2020
- I’ll Rise Up, 2020
- We Are Eternity, 2021
- Queen, 2021
- I Never Told You, 2021
- Three Little Birds (Bob Marley Cover), 2021
- Hold On, 2021
- Free, 2021
- The Other Side, 2021
- We Will, 2022
Compilation appearances
- Burque Love 4
- A Gothic Acoustic Tribute to NIN
- Gothic Divas
- A Tribute to She Wants Revenge
- Stop Me If You Think You've Heard This One Before" A Tribute to The Smiths
- Unscene Magazine Compilation CD
- Darkest Hours- Songs To Die For
- Gothy Horror Picture Show
- "Dark Spy Compilation 41"[27]
- Phenomenal Women Volume 8 (September Storm), 2020
- Eternity (We Are Eternity), 2021
- High On Life (I Never Told You So), 2021
- High On Life (Queen), 2021
References
- ^ "EMPIRE". ASCAP. American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers. Retrieved November 14, 2023.
- ^ a b c d e f "Versailles Official Website". Retrieved July 11, 2013.
- ^ a b c d e "Ghetty Images". Retrieved July 11, 2013.
- ^ "theplanet". Retrieved July 11, 2013.
- ^ a b "Dianna St. Hilaire". MPATH TRACKS. Retrieved March 1, 2022.
- ^ Anderson, Karen. "Stream Of Consciousness".
- ^ Mecca, Steve. "Chain D.L.K."
- ^ "IAC Music". Retrieved July 11, 2013.
- ^ "Scary Perry". Retrieved July 11, 2013.
- ^ Layton, Jennifer. "Indie Music". Retrieved July 11, 2013.
- ^ "Rock City News". Retrieved July 11, 2013.
- ^ "NIN Wiki". July 16, 2008.
- ^ "Morrissey". Retrieved July 11, 2013.
- ^ "Wildy's World". March 12, 2009. Retrieved July 11, 2013.
- ^ "All Music Guide". AllMusic. Retrieved July 11, 2013.
- ^ "Music Non Stop". Retrieved July 11, 2013.
- ^ "Big Noise". Retrieved July 11, 2013.
- ^ "Gosh Radio". Retrieved July 11, 2013.
- ^ "Billboard". Billboard. Retrieved July 11, 2013.
- ^ a b "Darkest Jack". Retrieved July 11, 2013.
- ^ "BFM Digital". Retrieved July 11, 2013.
- ^ "KROQ". Retrieved July 11, 2013.
- ^ "The Open Press". Retrieved July 11, 2013.
- ^ "Song of The Day: Remember Me – Oparu". New Lease Music. December 7, 2016. Retrieved March 1, 2022.
- ^ "Opāru Shares Video To New Single Ghost To Follow - Divine Magazine". divinemagazine.biz. December 9, 2019. Retrieved March 1, 2022.
- ^ "First Look: Opāru- Love Me - Jammerzine". jammerzine.com. December 10, 2019. Retrieved March 1, 2022.
- ^ electro-body-music.com