Get to know the 6 Artists of Armin Only Intense

Cindy Alma 

Cindy Alma sings with a passion and strength that leaves you no choice but to let her in and surrender control. Her performance pours from the heart revealing to you the essence of her being. True to her lyric, she 'becomes love' and like the most powerful muses of our time, she captivates and inspires. Your mind and body become hers as she weaves her deepest emotions with sensual dance rhythms infused with pop melodies, all painted with hints of her cultural up bring.

Cindy grew up in a house of many cultural influences. Born in Marseilles, France to a French Algerian father and French Moroccan mother, diverse musical taste was abound. Artistry began for Cindy at the very young age of 14, when she won a local singing contest. The result was a televised appearance that turned heads and thus began her professional singing career. 

Cindy immediately caught the attention of star maker Jason Flom, who lent his skills and developed her performance level to that of pure professionalism. Understanding that her songs were at the heart of who she was and would be the center of her career, Cindy signed with world renowned publisher Cherry Lane Music (home of superstars such as The Black Eyed Peas, John Legend, and David Cook). Currently, Cindy is working with top level producers from the US and Europe in preparation for a 2010 release. 

Fiora

Fiora  is a singer, songwriter, producer and orchestral composer born in Tasmania, Australia, and based in Berlin.

 

Classically trained in singing and violin, Fiora won a scholarship to the Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University to study voice completing a bachelors degree in music performance with Professor Janet Delpratt graduating in 2001.

Early career

Fiora made her professional debut in opera with Opera Queensland, and as soloist with orchestra performing Handel's Messiah with the Queensland Orchestra in 2001. With a preference for chamber works and lieder she performed most often in recital with her longtime friend, pianist and composer Paul Hankinson. Increasingly frustrated with the world of classical music Fiora began writing her own music in 2002. Together with Hankinson she began setting the texts of Australian poetess Judith Wright. In 2003 the pair released the classical album Art Songs, which included an original setting of "The Watcher".

More and more Fiora turned her attention to writing music. After working on various soundtracks for TV and documentary film she began moving into songwriting and dance music.

Songwriting and singing

Whilst living in London in 2006, Fiora co-wrote the song "Broken Pieces" with Guy Sigsworth and Eicca Toppinen for the band Apocalyptica (see 7th Symphony (album)) During this period she also wrote the strings for Alanis Morissette's release Flavours of Entanglement.

In 2009, Fiora travelled to Berlin to work with Paul Hankinson as finalists in the international song competition Das Lied. Following the competition and the coinciding success of a dance topline she had written and performed in 2007, "Show me a Reason", Fiora began collaborating with producers in Europe leading to releases with Armin Van Buuren ("Breathe in Deep" from the album Mirage in 2010, and "Waiting for the Night" in 2013) and Moguai as well as various releases for other pop artists.

She has worked with Jaxon Bellina, Moguai, Seven Lions, The King of Sweden, Robot Koch, Robert Miles, Rainer Rütsch, Famties, Markus Binapfl & Erick Morillo, Seven Lions, Audiofly and DJT from Get Physical, Paul Nza. She has stated on Facebook she is currently working on a solo record.

In 2013 Fiora co-operated with Armin Van Buuren on the track "Waiting for the Night" to be released on the album Intense. She also sang the song "Illegal" for the Michael Mind Project, which was part of their album State of Mind.

Flyphoenixx and orchestral writing

Whilst living in Tasmania in 2005, Fiora wrote the beginnings of what would be her first major orchestral project Flyphoenixx, which was recorded in the Federation Concert Hall in Hobart in June 2005 with the first session conducted by Guy Noble. After putting the project on hold for a number of years Fiora came back to the project in 2009, recording new works she conducted herself. She has stated on her website she hopes to release Flyphoenixx mid-2011.

Lauren Evans

Evans grew up in San Bernardino, California, the daughter of a pastor, John Evans, of Maranatha! Music and Promise Keepers. She recorded several popular Christian songs for the label Maranatha! Music. Evans’ cover of “You’re Worthy of My Praise” became an oft-played radio hit for the label.

Her career got an early boost from working with production duo Buster & Shavoni who featured her on DreamWork’s Prince of Egypt soundtrack under the pseudonym Christian. “Didn’t I,” which she also co-wrote, earned a Stellar Award nomination the following year. Collaborating with producer Rex Rideout, another of her compositions “Brighter Days” was featured in the 2003 film The Fighting Temptations.

Evans has also made her mark on TV, contributing her voice to Disney mainstays such as That's So Raven,The Cheetah Girls, High School Musical, Jump In, Cory in the House. Lauren was also the singing voice behind Fox’s animated series Bratz. Lauren's work on the series was released in 2006 as the compilation album Bratz: Genie Magic on Hip-O/Universal Music.

Songwriting

Evans made her biggest impact to date as a songwriter. Several songs penned for the NBC soap opera Passions led to two Emmy nominations. She has also paired with producers such as Robbie Nevil, Rex Rideout, Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis, Rodney Jerkins,J.R. Rotem and others.

Evans co-wrote the hit single “One Step at a Time” for sixth-season American Idol winner Jordin Sparks. She has also scored international hits with German pop trio Monrose’s “Even Heaven Cries” and British X Factor winner Alexandra Burke’s “Bad Boys.”

Evans also became an in-demand session vocalist appearing on recordings by Yolanda Adams,Natasha Bedingfield,Corbin Bleu, Boney James, Will Downing,Mick Fleetwood, Heather Headley,Chaka Khan,The Isley Brothers, Ledisi,Latoya London, Barry Manilow, Nicole C. Mullen,Mýa, Ruben Studdard,Paul Taylor,Luther Vandross,Vanessa Williams,Charlie Wilson and the soundtrack of High School Musical 2.

In 2013 co-wrote the song Did I lose you? performed by Giorgia and Olly Murs.

Laura Jansen

Born in Breda, Holland, to a Dutch father and an American mother, Laura Jansen began playing piano at age five while her family lived in Brussels, followed by Zurich and Connecticut. “Because of all the moving we did, the piano has always been my constant,” she says. Jansen fell in love with classical music, Queen, Joni Mitchell, Barbra Streisand, and the Brazilian protest music her mother loved. In high school, she sang in the choir and performed in musicals. After spending two years at a music conservatory in Holland, Jansen transferred to Boston’s renowned Berklee College of Music with a scholarship. After graduating, she made good on a long-held fantasy of moving to Nashville to become a songwriter, but froze from intimidation once she got there. “I ended up working in retail and waiting on women like Emmylou Harris and Patty Griffin and wishing I could say something to them,” she says. “I couldn’t find my voice.”

A difficult break-up unlocked her first song: “Bells,” which was inspired by the sound of the bells emanating from the church next door. After that, the songs that would make up her debut album came pouring out. Meanwhile, Jansen had been considering a move to the West Coast. “I was looking for a second chance to become a songwriter, and so many incredible artists were coming out of Los Angeles,” she says. After moving there in 2003, Jansen hung out at the club most nights, enjoying the social support network of her fellow artists. She played open mic-nights at other venues and began to attract a following to her high-spirited live shows. In 2008, Jansen spent six weeks on the road singing back-up vocals and playing piano, as well as opening for Joshua Radin, followed by a slot on the national Hotel Café Tour alongside Ingrid Michaelson and Rachael Yamagata. Upon her return, she was invited to The Netherlands for a series of appearances, which led to her signing with Universal Music. Bells (composed of Jansen’s two previously released EP’s 2007’s Trauma and 2009’s Single Girls, plus a cover of Kings of Leon’s “Use Somebody” that spent more than six months lodged in the Top 25 on the Dutch singles chart) was released in Holland in September 2009. The album remained in the Dutch Top 100 for almost two years.

Now Jansen is gearing up for the worldwide release of Elba this spring and is looking forward to hitting the road and performing her new songs live. “This was the first record I’ve made after doing so much touring and it really helped my confidence,” she says. “I was able to step into the place that I’ve always wanted to be and not apologize for it; not be like, ‘Sorry I’m up here. Sorry I’m singing about my feelings, you guys. Just bear with me, it’s almost over.’ It’s crap to think like that. And I’m having catharses and breakthroughs and so much fun doing the thing I love to do the most, which is traveling and playing. It doesn’t get better than that.”

Richard Bedford

Richard Bedford is a British singer-songwriter, from Halifax, West Yorkshire. Widely known as the "Voice of Trance" Richard gained recognition for his vocal work in electronic dance music and trance including his collaborations with Above & Beyond on their 2011 album Group Therapy, their 2006 album Tri-state, Armin van Buuren's album Intense and IDMA-nominated singles "Alone Tonight" and "Sun & Moon". Richard also plays guitar, piano and drums, is currently performing on the Armin van Buuren Armin Only Intense World Tour and taking time to write & record his solo album. In February 2013, "Sun & Moon" was voted the 21st greatest track of all time by readers of Mixmag.

Trevor Guthrie

Trevor Guthrie was born in Vancouver, British Columbia. At age 3 he was playing the piano and played his first concert at four. In high school at Argyle Secondary School, he began playing the guitar and writing music. He can also speak French, Spanish, and Japanese.

Music career

After a name change and a new record company, MCA, Indecision emerged as soulDecision. And released a number one smash hit with the pop/R&B song "Faded". The song became #1 hit in Canada and a top 25 hit in the United States. The success of that single was followed up by the smash "Ooh It's Kinda Crazy". The album No One Does It Better which was recorded in Velvet Sound Studios in Sydney, Australia; went on to sell over a million copies. After a four year hiatus and a label change, soulDecision released the single "Cadillac Dress". The single was a moderate radio hit. They released their second album Shady Satin Drug in November 2004. Due to the lack of support from the Canadian music industry, less than 2000 copies were printed and available for sale. Shady Satin Drug, however spawned two more singles, Hypnotize and Kiss The Walls.

2008-Present: Solo career

On his Myspace page, Trevor recorded a new song titled "Strong Hands" inspired by the lack of knowledge and respect for WWII veterans from the youth of today. He lives in Vancouver. He is featured on Armin van Buuren's track "This Is What It Feels Like" and Markus Schulz's track "Until It's Gone".