Songwriters

Neil Young is a singer/songwriter, musician and film director from Canada. He was born on 12 November 1945 to parents Rassy and Scott Young. He is known for his work as a solo artist and with the seminal bands Buffalo Springfield and Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young.

Despite living in the USA since the 1970's, Young remains a Canadian citizen.

Polly Scattergood is a British singer songwriter from Essex, England whose songs have been described as 'ethereal', 'dark', 'intense' and 'quirky'.

Scattergood describes herself as a storyteller. "I write about emotions and moments, not all are biographical. She cites some of her influeces as Leonard Cohen, Antony & The Johnsons, Portishead, Radiohead,Dolly Parton, Joni Mitchell and Tim Burton.

Her self-titled debut album, was released March 9, 2009 in the UK. The single Other Too Endless was released on 23 February, 2009. It was named "record of the week" on the Steve Lamacq show and iTunes 'Single of the Week' on 30 March 2009.

Pixie Lott is a British singer/songwriter and actress who is receiving considerable public attention at the moment. She has been compared to successful British female artists, such as Duffy and Amy Winehouse. She releases her debut single, Mama Do on 11 May 2009 from her debut album Turn It Up.

Biography

Pixie Lott was born on 12 January 1991 and comes from Kent in the United Kingdom. From the age of 5 she attended the Italia Conti Chislehurst Associate school. At age 11, she was given a scholarship to the main Italia Conti Academy.

At the age of 16, after receiving a DADA (Dance and Drama Award), before leaving the Italia Conti Academy to persue her career in music. She signed to Mercury Records in 2008 and a publishing deal with Sony/ATV Music Publishing.

Kara Elizabeth DioGuardi is a prominent American songwriter, record producer and singer known for co-writing a number of hit records for artists such as Kylie Minogue and Kelly Clarkson. She became a judge on the eighth season of American Idol.

Biography

DioGuardi was born on 9 December 1970 in Ossining, New York to Carol Asselta and Joseph J. DioGuardi.

After gaining a degree in political science at Duke University in 1993, she sold advertising for Billboard magazine.

She is engaged to the contractor Mike McCuddy, although no wedding date has been set.

Lady Gaga (real name Stefani Germanotta) is a singer-songwriter and musician from New York. Prior to achieving solo recognition in 2008-9, GaGa wrote songs for the Pussycat Dolls, Britney Spears and New Kids On The Block.

In terms of musical influences, she cites a range of artists from David Bowie and Queen to 80's pop such as Madonna.

Lady GaGa was briefly signed to Def Jam records at the age of 19, but was dropped from the label after just 3 months. She was later signed to Interscope in January 2008, where her songwriting talent was recognised and she was partnered with Akon.

Akon helped to propel her career after hearing her laying down reference vocals in the studio and listening to her demos. After this, she began working on songs for her own debut album. She relocated to Los Angeles to finalize the album, The Fame.

Lady Gaga's debut album, The Fame was released on 19 August 2008.

Daniel Merriweather is an Australian singer/songwriter best known for his collaborations with producer Mark Ronson.

Merriweather was born in 1982 in a working class area of Melbourne, Australia to parents who worked as teachers.

Professionally, he has released two solo singles in 2004 - City Rules and She's Got Me. Neither attained commercial success, although both songs have won awards and are well regarded in his native Australia.

Madonna Louise Veronica Ciccone, better known as simply Madonna is a singer, actress and international celebrity who rose to fame in the 1980's as a pop star and has moved into acting and fashion. She has been married twice, first to the actor Sean Penn and more recently to the director Guy Ritchie. It has recently been announced that the couple are to divorce.