Biography

Stooshe are an English girl group from London. The group - consisting of members Alexandra Buggs, Karis Anderson and Courtney Rumbold, were signed to Warner Music Group in August 2011 and they released their first promotional single, "Betty Woz Gone", in October 2011. It was announced on 5 December that Stooshe had been nominated for the BBC's Sound of 2012 poll. Their official debut single, "Love Me" featuring American rapper Travie McCoy, saw the group attain chart success, with the single peaking at number five on the UK Singles Chart. They released "Black Heart" in June 2012, which peaked at number three after a month in the top ten. The group are set to release their debut studio album, London with the Lights On, on 27 May 2013.

Formation

Stooshe was formed in May 2010 and signed to Warner Music Group in August 2011. The group, which consists of members Alexandra Buggs, Karis Anderson and Courtney Rumbold, were put together by writer/manager Jo Perry following a series of auditions and scouting in UK fashion shop Topshop. With tracks from Writer / Production duo Future Cut, the group spent the next twelve months developing their look and sound. Anderson revealed that the band's name originates from the word 'Stoosh', urban slang for something expensive, "a girl who thinks she's nicer than she is," or being stoned or stashed away. The contrasting meanings confirmed their choice. They then added 'she' on the end for female empowerment or girl power. The bands name is pronounced 'stush-she'.

History

2010–present: Formation, Commercial breakthrough and London With the Lights On

The group released their first song, "Love Me", on YouTube on 14 March 2011, which was accompanied by the release of a music video; originally featuring rapper Suave Debonair. The release was met with mixed reviews, with The Guardian's Paul Lester reporting, "You can tell there's a proper grown-up, soul-infused girl-pop group waiting to come out", despite the music video proving an internet hit - surpassing 100,000 views. The group also recorded a music video for "Hot Stepper", a cover of the 1994 hit "Here Comes the Hotstepper" by Ini Kamoze at Hyde Park's Wireless Festival in July 2011, following their appearance on the Barclaycard Unwind Stage. Second single, "Betty Woz Gone", was released onto iTunes on 28 October 2011, earning placement on BBC Radio 1's In New Music We Trust playlist. An official lyric video accompanied the release, following the story of Betty as told by cartoon versions of the group. It was revealed in November 2011 that the group would re-record and release "Fuck Me" as "Love Me" on 4 March 2012 as their first official single, with US rapper Travie McCoy as the featured artist. Having been produced by Future Cut, the re-recorded track was posted online on 4 January 2012 and served as the lead single from their forthcoming album, Stooshe. The track marked the group's first chart appearance, debuting at number five on the UK Singles Chart - having sold 37,789 copies, also peaking at number seven on the Scottish Singles Chart for the week ending 17 March 2012.

Stooshe released their second single, "Black Heart", on 15 June 2012—becoming the group's second top five single when it peaked at number three on the UK chart and becoming one of the largest selling and airplay records of 2012. It was awarded gold certification status in September 2012 selling over 400,000 copies. It was announced in June 2012 that the group would be supporting American rapper Nicki Minaj on the UK leg of the Pink Friday Tour. Stooshe performed a brief set on the Bingley Music Live main stage on 31 August 2012. It was announced in October 2012 that the group would be supporting Jennifer Lopez on a part of the European leg of the Dance Again World Tour.

On 15 November, Robert Copsey from Digital Spy reported that the album's release would be delayed until March 2013 after there cover of TLC classic nineties track Waterfalls missed the Top 20. A statement from the group explained "Following a late rush of creativity which has seen them write some of the best songs of their career, Stooshe have decided to delay the release of their debut album until March 2013 so they have time to record these songs for inclusion on the album." Stooshe added that they would be going back to the studio soon to record the new songs. Stooshe's debut album will be released on 27 May 2013, under the title London with the Lights On.

Members

Courtney Rumbold

Courtney Mariah Rumbold, born 11 July 1992 (age 20), was born and raised in Penge in London. She was educated at Cator Park School for Girls in Beckenham, London. She is the youngest member of the band and was the first to join. In an interview with Gaydio Radio, Courtney confirmed that she was a lesbian. Courtney is currently in a long-term relationship.

Alexandra Buggs

Alexandra Stephanie Buggs, born 1 November 1989 (age 23), was born and raised in Chart Sutton, Maidstone. She lives with her mother, father and her four siblings. She was educated at Invicta Grammar School in Maidstone, Kent. She joined Stooshe in June 2010. In an interview with Gaydio Radio, Alexandra confirmed that she is straight. Alex is currently in a relationship.

Karis Anderson

Karis Lya Anderson, born 17 October 1989 (age 23), was born and raised in Brixton in South London. She was educated at The Brit School in Croydon, London. She joined the latest on 1 January 2011. In an interview with Gaydio Radio, confirmed that she was a heterosexual but had had a same-sex attraction previously.

Discography

• London with the Lights On (2013)

Tours

• The Papercut Chronicles II Tour (supporting Gym Class Heroes) (January 2012)
• Pink Friday Tour (supporting Nicki Minaj) (June 2012)
• Dance Again World Tour (supporting Jennifer Lopez) (October 2012)
• Stooshe Live Tour (UK Headline Tour) (12–18 December 2012)

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