Persephone

''This article is about the singer. For Venus Vegas' sophomore record, go to Persephone (album)''

Persephone (Born Stephanie Davies on 1st August, 1991) is a Welsh singer-songwriter. She released her debut EP "While You Were Sleeping" on July 16, 2012, with the follow up album "Queen of the Damned" and single "The Black Rose" on August 27.

Early Life
Stephanie was born in Llanymynech, Powys with a brother, Hywel and two sisters, Bethany and Rhiannon. At home she was exposed to music from an early age and learned to play both the piano and the guitar. She relocated to Durham, England in 2009 to study Medicine. However in 2011 she left the course due to depression. Whilst at university she met drummer and producer Matt Pierce who she entered into a romantic relationship with. He aided her to set up a MySpace account in 2010, in which she uploaded the songs "Numb", "While You Were Sleeping" and "Fragile Hearts". The Myspace was taken down in early 2012 when shepursued a professional music career under the name "Persephone", then on June 9th she signed a record deal with Bumblebee Records. Stephanie stated she chose the name as it sounds similar to her real name, as well as being fascinated by Greek myths, with that of Persephone being her favourite.

Queen of the Damned Era
Persephone's debut EP "While You Were Sleeping" was released on July 16 2012 and gained positive reviews. The tracks "Numb" and "While You Were Sleeping" from her MySpace days were combined with new track "Carry On" and an Evanescence cover, "Forgive Me". The EP was entirely acoustic, using only vocals, guitar, piano and drums. Her ex partner Matt Pierce produced and played drums on Carry On, Whilst Bethany and Rhiannion Davies sang backing vocals on the track. Persephone was the only musician involved in the recording of the other three tracks, which were all recorded in one take. A day after the EP was released, Persephone announced her album would be called "Queen of the Damned" and will be released on August 27th. The debut single from the album, "The Black Rose" was released on the same week. The single charted at #2 whereas the album debuted at #1. The second single from the album, "Dear You" is an adaptation of the Alanis Morrissette song "Unsent". "Dear You" peaked at #1 and became the 7th biggest selling single of 2012. Taking a break from Queen of the Damned, Persephone announced that she'd be releasing an EP from the soundtrack to The Devil's Daughter. This is to be released alongside the soundtrack and preceded by a download single Possession. Both the EP and the soundtrack peaked at #2. The third single from the album, Never Change, an English version of Mia Martini's "Almeno tu nell'Universo" translated by Persephone was released on February 25th 2013. This stalled at #5 in the charts, failing to replicate the success of "Dear You".

Till Death Us Do Part era
On June 10 2013 Persephone announced Till Death Us Do Part would be the title of her second album. The lead single, Primitive will be released on July 15 2013 to mark the one year anniversary of her first release. It charted at #3 and became Persephone's biggest single to date. The album followed on August 5 2013 and entered the chart at #2, rising to #1 the following week. The second single from the album was the dance track Heart Don't Leave Me, which charted at #2. Despite not reaching #1. Heart Don't Leave me and Primitive became the 4th and 5th biggest selling singles of 2013 respectively. Till Death Us Do Part became the 10th biggest selling album. On October 31 2013 a reissue of the album was confirmed, with an accompanying EP A Night Of Winter. The EP contained four festively atmospheric tracks but it was stressed that it was not a Christmas release. The EP was supported by a December tour. A Night Of Winter became the first #1 of 2014 as well as Persephone's second career #1. The third single from the album, Two Towers, features Suicide Blonde and was released on March 24th. After Two Towers reached a career low of #7 for Persephone, she announced that it would be the final release from the album, and she'd be moving on to her next record in the summer.

Acting Career
Before Persephone signed her record deal, she filmed an apocalyptic horror called "The Devil's Daughter", in cinemas December 21st, 2012. Persephone also sung on the soundtrack for this release. In January 2014, Persephone started filming for her second film, The drama "Seven Sinners".

Modelling Career
Persephone is a model for H&M. Her first campaign was launched in September 2012. Persephone also modeled for Veronica Nightshade's debut fashion line. In December 2012 She became the face of Taaz.com, a fashion makeover simulator, and signed up to be the face of Cover Girl cosmetics in the UK in 2013.

Videography

 * The Black Rose, 2012. Directed by Michael Schwartz
 * Numb, 2012. Directed by Eric Vogel
 * Dear You, 2012. Directed and Edited by Stephanie Davies
 * Possession, 2012. Directed by Jay Taylor
 * Never Change, 2013. Directed by Robby Carmona
 * Easier To Lose (Webisode), 2013. Directed and Edited by Stephanie Davies
 * Primitive, 2013. Directed and Edited by Stephanie Davies and Adam Curtis
 * Heart Don't Leave Me, 2013. Directed by Marcus Lundin
 * A Night Of Winter, 2013. Directed by David Phelps
 * Two Towers, 2014. Directed by Ricky Middlesworth

Live Performances

 * 13th July 2012: Satan's Hollow, Manchester
 * 16th July 2012: HMV Market Street, Manchester
 * 18th July 2012: HMV Oxford Street, London
 * 27th August 2012: Assembly, George Square, Edinburgh
 * 28th August 2012: Radio 1 Live Lounge
 * 31st August 2012: End of the Road Festival, Dorset
 * 25th September 2012: iTunes Festival, The Roundhouse, London
 * 28th September 2012: The Warehouse Project, Manchester
 * 6th October 2012: Koko, Camden High Street, London
 * 30th October 2012: Star Radio, Durham
 * 5th November 2012: Daybreak
 * 7th November 2012: HMV Oxford Street, London
 * 3rd - 14th December 2012: Winter Underground Tour, UK
 * 31st December 2012: Jools Holland's Hootenanny
 * 6th January 2013: Dancing on Ice
 * 6th February 2013: The One Show
 * 14th February 2013: Hyde Park, London
 * 22nd February 2013: Radio 1 Live Lounge
 * 15th March 2013: Daybreak
 * 10th - 20th April 2013: Record Store Day Tour, UK
 * 26th May 2013: Evolution Festival, Newcastle
 * 30th June 2013: Glastonbury Festival, Acoustic Stage
 * 12th July 2013: T In The Park, Balado, Scotland
 * 1st August 2013: Happy Birthday Persephone, Exclusive Party, Koko, Camden High Street, London
 * 23rd August 2013: Leeds Festival, Leeds
 * 25th August 2013: Reading Festival, Reading
 * 15th September 2013: URAPS Festival
 * 21st - 30th September 2013: Wild Heart Tour, Australasia (Supporting MIDNIGHT)
 * 1st - 20th December 2013: Return To Hades Tour, UK
 * 31st January 2014: Radio 1 Live Lounge
 * 28th February 2014: 6 Music Festival, Manchester
 * 19th April 2014: Sister Ray, London
 * 23rd May 2014: Dot to Dot Festival, Manchester
 * 24th May 2014: Dot to Dot Festival, Bristol
 * 25th May 2014: Dot to Dot Festival, Nottingham

Awards

 * URAPS RATE 18: 36
 * URAPS RATE 19: 28
 * URAPS RATE 20: 9
 * URAPS AWARDS 22: Critics Choice Award
 * URAPS AWARDS 23: Best New Act
 * URAPS AWARDS 24: Best Alternative
 * URAPS AWARDS 25: Best Alternative