Tina Dico

Tina Dico
Tina Dickow in concert in Det Musiske Hus in Frederikshavn, Denmark, 3 February 2008
Background information
Birth name	Tina Dickow
Born	(1977-10-14) 14 October 1977 (age 39)
Origin	Aarhus, Denmark
Genres	Alternative, pop rock, synthpop, indie
Instruments	Guitar, Singing
Years active	1997-present
Labels	Finest Gramophone
Website	tinadico.com

Tina Dico (born Tina Dickow Danielsen on 14 October 1977) is a Danish singer-songwriter. She founded her own record label and releases her music independently, enjoying large success with her albums in her home country as well as critical acclaim across Europe. She is inspired by artists such as Tracy Chapman, Bob Dylan and Leonard Cohen.

In Denmark she performs both under her real name, Tina Dickow, and under the adopted name Tina Dico as well.

Tina Dico was born in Åbyhøj in Aarhus. At a very young age, her father, who owned a big Hi-Fi stereo system in their basement, introduced her to music.

Tina's interest in playing music started in 8th grade, when she played in the cover-band Mel. They played a lot of songs by Jimi Hendrix, among other artists. In 10th grade, she attended a boarding school called Sejergaardens Musikefterskole. When she started in high school, she helped form the cover-band Fester Kester, who played at high school parties. At the age of 20 she got a part in the slightly erotic TV-show Karrusel, where she played opposite the 41-year-old Peter Steen and Michael Falch. The show was on Danish TV in 1998. After playing the part, she had a lot of offers for other roles, but since she did not like being typecast as a naïve girl from Jutland, she rejected them all. After high school in 1997 she began at Aarhus University, where she studied comparative religion. However, she soon quit the university to study at The Royal Academy of Music in Aarhus, which she eventually also quit to pursue her dream as a professional singer/songwriter.

In 1998, Tina introduced the other members of the band Fester Kester to a song of her own, and their enthusiasm led them to enter, and win, two talent contests the same year: "Talentspot" on Danish TV2, and "Vi har scenen, har I musikken?" (We've got the stage, do you have the music?) in Aarhus. The band Tina Dickow and Sheriff was formed in 1998, and later that year the single "Your Waste of Time" was released. It was picked as Song of the Week on Danish National Radio, DR P3, and led to some degree of fame.