Ricki-Lee Coulter (born 10 November 1985), also known mononymously as Ricki-Lee, is a platinum selling Australian singer-songwriter, television and radio presenter. In 2004 at the age of 18, she auditioned for the second season of Australian Idol and placed seventh in the finals round. She subsequently signed with Australian independent label Shock Records, and released her self-titled debut album Ricki-Lee in 2005, which yielded the Top-Ten singles "Hell No!" and "Sunshine". Both songs were certified Gold by the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA). The following year, Coulter became a member of multi platinum selling Australian all-girl pop group Young Divas, before leaving in early 2007 to resume her solo music career.
Ricki-Lee’s second album Brand New Day was released in August 2007, and was certified Gold. The album included the top-ten singles “Can’t Touch It, "Love Is All Around", and "Can't Sing a Different Song". "Can't Touch It" became a number 2 charting platinum-seller and was included on the “Sex And The City 2” Soundtrack gaining international attention and airplay. Ricki-Lee’s first compilation album titled The Singles was released in 2008, with the top-twenty lead single "Wiggle It".
In May 2011, she ended her contract with Shock Records and signed with major label EMI. Her third album Fear & Freedom was released in August 2012, and became her first top-ten album. It included the top-twenty singles "Raining Diamonds" (certified Platinum) and "Do It Like That" (certified Double Platinum / 2.5 Million you tube video views). The album also had major success in Japan where it charted within the Top 50 and lead single “Do It Like That” peaked at number seven on the Japan Hot 100 chart. In 2012, she became the Australian face of international cosmetics brand CoverGirl.
On August 30, 2013 Ricki-Lee released her first single “Come & Get In Trouble With Me” from her upcoming fourth album. A 15 second teaser for the video collectively received over 100,000 views in just 3 days. She also launched her own clothing range “Ricki-Lee Army” by Cotton-On Body which launched in-stores nationally on September 2. A new album will be released in 2014
Ricki-Lee
All We Need Is Love
If there’s one thing that Ricki-Lee is known for, it’s not only her incredible vocals that can blow any of her pop competitors out of the water, but also for her endearing soul which people gravitate towards. Fitting then, that Ricki-Lee’s new single All We Need Is Love is all about matters of the heart and a celebration of love.
Opening with Ricki-Lee’s trademark vocals, the first single to be released from her upcoming EP is ‘All We Need Is Love’ is the kind of anthemic track that feels like an instant hit. And like Can’t Touch It or Raining Diamonds before it, fans will be drawn in by her soaring voice and hooked on the catchy chorus.
“I really wanted to focus on positivity and love; celebrating each other, not tearing each other down. The track is very free, and wasn’t overanalysed - I love it because of that.” Says Ricki-Lee
Working with diverse inspiration is key to Ricki-Lee’s process, and initially she looked to pen an ode to her favourite song Love Generation by Bob Sinclair. However on this occasion, All We Need Is Love also became an intensely personal journey.
“There’s a line in the song – ‘Kicking down the doors / and coming alive’ - that’s actually inspired by receiving a message from a fan of mine who said that he’d just come out to his family. He told me he was inspired by how I speak passionately about gay marriage and acceptance and love… It gave him the confidence to come out, and now he feels ‘alive’.
“It’s amazing to be able to influence someone to rise above those fears and be who they are. And in the same way as I was an inspiration for him, he’s been an inspiration for me.”
It’s not surprising, then, that Ricki-Lee wanted to release All We Need Is Love as the first taste of a series of three EPs leading into her new album: It’s a celebration of life, love, and being open to a new start – something that her previous journey on Fear and Freedom afforded her.
“I just wanted to write a song that makes people smile and feel good. Now, this is where I am – and everyone can have that. You just have to value yourself enough to know you deserve that. And once you’re on that ride, there’s no turning back.” |