Laundrette boss signs record deal
11 Mar 10
A London laundrette owner who was spotted as a backup singer and harpist for Robbie Williams has signed a record deal worth £1.25 million.
Lucinda Belle, 36, has landed the contract with Universal Music and is getting ready to release her first album in May.
She is planning to give up the cleaning business that has been in her family for 40 years to focus on her career the music industry. Laundamatic in Balham High Street, south London has now been put on sale.
The singer-songwriter is being likened to Norah Jones and Madeleine Peyroux and her first recording will feature the Lucinda Belle Orchestra.
It is an eight-piece band with an unusual line-up of harp, harmonium, melodica, strings, horns, double bass, drums, ukulele, clarinet and guitar.
Lucinda has previously recorded and toured with the Pet Shop Boys, Rufus Wainwright and Annie Lennox.
Her big break came when Radio DJ Fearne Cotton invited Belle on her show after spotting her performing with Robbie Williams at the BBC Electric Proms last year.
She was noticed and offered a contract by Universal, which represents big names including Take That, Cheryl Cole and Amy Winehouse.
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http://www.thelbo.com/ (The Lucinda Belle Orchestra)
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