Infinity

Infinity is Mels first "solo effort" Album release, this album is a Multi Media CD Rom which can be both played on a CD player and your personal computer. It contains a stunningly shot music video filmed by the acclaimed director, Jurgen Alan. Mel has recently returned from Midem 2004, the international music fair in Cannes, where she hired her own stand and promoted her music directly to the world wide music industry herself, it is unprecdented in the history of this prestigious event for an artist to do this. Mel is a powerful and sensitive performer, her voice is distinctive and her songs are written and delivered straight from the heart. She arrived in London in 1997 from her home in Africa to build on her past experiences and successes, and to develop an international dimension and fresh collaborative arena for her work. More about Mel Vondrau:- Pop singer, songwriter, born in Johannesburg, South Africa, November 1972 - Mel Vondrau. An eclectic upbringing exposed Mel to a variety of musical influences from an early age, influences ranging from Zulu Folk music to Led Zeppelin and American Gospel music, including, from her "Uncle" George who often visited from London with the latest hits recorded from the radio. As a result Radio Caroline and the great Pirate stations of the 60s were as much a staple diet as the choir in Church on Sunday with her grandmother. Spotted for her vocal talent at the age of nine years old by her junior School Music teacher Mel was encouraged by her to sing live on stage in front of the entire junior school and their parents. The bug bit and she never looked back. Mel won a scholarship to study music at the Musicians Institute in Los Angeles USA, however, she decided to gig and write with other musicians and began work on her first original album at the age of 19. Recorded by the SABC (South African Broadcasting Corporation) in Johannesburg her first song called 'Nights Alone' was based on her experiences in the Namib and Kalahari Deserts. This "first" album was never commercially released. She has a pilots licence, she raced dirt bikes in the Kalahari Desert and was a lifeguard on Amanzimtoti beach during her summers. She is also a keen hiker and rambler and spent many a night around campfires in the Drakensberg. During her 20's Mel travelled across the entire African continent, interested in the local music and culture at every stop. An opportunity arose in 1986 for Mel to perform in an "African Ski Resort - Tiffindells in the Western Cape" - it was here that Mel developed a passion for skiing. In the early 1990s Mel met with the backing band of 'Mungo Jerry' and subsequently toured the UK with them for four years. During this time Mel drew on the inspiration of early influences on her life and rediscovered her true calling, to perform music that really meant something personally to her. Like all true artists Mel has found new inspiration in the work of many musicians including Bryan Adams, Alannis Morrisette and Sarah Mclachlin, to name but a few. In 1997 Mel came to London and began gigging in the music circuit around the South East experiencing the great British pub scene first hand. An energetic performer Mel is always asked back to venues and has developed a cult following. In May 2002 Mel filmed her first Music Video with director Jurgen Alan in Cape Town for one of her own compositions, 'Set Me Free'. This is on her CD Rom/Interactive Music Album titled, Infinity. The 'Infinity' album was her first "solo effort" album release and inludes an eclectic mix of Mel's music. Towards the end of 2003 Mel felt that her music and song writing were maturing and her third CD, 'Show Me How', launched in early January 2004. This contains a mixture of her own written work and cover versions of the music that has moved her through her life. Like many artists performing music that really means something to her, it is deeply passionate and has released the creative spirit within Mel. Demonstrating her versatility once again, Mel has got in touch with her "soft rock" side on the latest release and title track of the new album, 'Never Give Up'. This is a musical and thematic departure from her earlier works as it focussed on the trials and tribulations of Radio Caroline, one of her most personal early influences.