Marina & the Diamonds lyrics

Marina Lambrini Diamandis (Greek: Μαρίνα-Λαμπρινή Διαμαντή; born 10 October 1985),[1] better known by her stage name Marina and The Diamonds, is a Welsh singer-songwriter. Born in Brynmawr and raised in nearby Pandy, she performed for choir productions in her childhood. In 2009, Diamandis came to prominence after being ranked in second place on the Sound of 2010 poll organised by the BBC.

Her debut studio album The Family Jewels (2010) incorporated indie pop and new wave musical styles, while her follow-up record Electra Heart (2012) integrated prominent elements of electropop. The latter project debuted at number one on the UK Albums Chart, and introduced Diamandis to several international markets. She has described herself as an "indie artist with pop goals" and often analyses components of human behaviour in her music. Diamandis is additionally recognised for her retro and cartoonish fashion styles.
Diamandis was born in Brynmawr in Wales,[3] and grew up in the nearby village of Pandy.[4] She has one older sister.[4] Their mother is Welsh, while their father is Greek.[5] Diamandis has been diagnosed with synesthesia, and consequently associates particular colours with musical notes and days of the week.[6] In her childhood, she attended Haberdashers' Monmouth School for Girls,[7] Her parents separated when she was 16 years old; she initially moved to Greece with her father, then returned to Wales two years later.[4] Diamandis first began writing music when she was 18 years old; she moved to London to attend dance school, but quit two months later.[8]

Diamandis later travelled for several unsuccessful auditions, including opportunities with the musical for The Lion King and a boy band organised by Virgin Records.[9][10] In 2005, she created the stage name "Marina and the Diamonds";[2] after coming to prominence, "the Diamonds" was established as a reference to her fans, instead of her backing band.[11] Diamandis self-composed and produced her earlier demos with GarageBand,[9] and independently released her debut extended play Mermaid vs. Sailor through Myspace in 2007.[12] She came to the attention of Neon Gold Records' Derek Davies in 2008, and was hired as the supporting act for Australian recording artist Gotye. In October, Diamandis finalised a recording contract with 679 Recordings (eventually renamed 679 Artists), a subdivision of Warner Music Group.[12]
2009–10: The Family Jewels
Main article: The Family Jewels (Marina and the Diamonds album)
Diamandis performing at the HMV Picture House in Edinburgh, November 2010.

Diamandis' debut single "Obsessions" was released on 14 February 2009 Neon Gold Records,[13] while her second extended play The Crown Jewels EP followed on 1 June.[14] That summer, she performed at BBC Radio 1's Big Weekend,[15] the Glastonbury Festival,[16] and the Reading and Leeds Festivals.[17] In December 2009, Diamandis was ranked in second place on the Sound of 2010 poll organised by BBC, behind English singer-songwriter Ellie Goulding.[18] "Mowgli's Road" was released as the lead single from Diamandis' debut studio album on 13 November 2009.[19] It was followed by "Hollywood" on 1 February,[20] which reached number 12 on the UK Singles Chart.[21]

Diamandis' debut studio album The Family Jewels was released on 15 February 2010;[22] it debuted at number five on the UK Albums Chart with first-week sales of 27,618 copies,[23] and was eventually certified gold by the British Phonographic Industry.[24] Atlantic Records signed Diamandis to Chop Shop Records in the United States.[25] Through the label, she released her third extended play The American Jewels EP on 23 March,[26] and later released The Family Jewels in the United States on 25 May.[27] The latter project debuted at number 138 on the US Billboard 200 with first-week sales of 24,000 copies.[28][29]