TrueBliss | |
---|---|
Origin | New Zealand |
Genres |
Pop teen pop |
Years active | 1999–2000 |
Labels | SonyBMG (1999-2000) |
Past members | Keri Harper Joe Cotton Megan Cassie Carly Binding Erika Takacs |
TrueBliss were a New Zealand pop girl group formed in April 1999. The band were formed on the popular television show Popstars, which aired on TV2 for nine weeks in the search for a new girl group. TrueBliss were the first ever group to be formed under the Popstars banner, before the concept was sold to Australia (who formed the group Bardot in similar style), continental Europe, the UK and the United States.
Five girls, Joe Cotton, Keri Harper, Erika Takacs, Carly Binding and Megan Alatini, were taken from obscurity to instant stardom overnight while enjoying commercial success with their #1 single "Tonight". TrueBliss were managed by Jonathan Dowling, and briefly by Simon Grigg, although on TV they were portrayed as being managed by Peter Urlich, and enjoyed three single releases with label Columbia, an imprint of Sony Music.
The girls signed sponsorship deals with Pepsi and Burger King before embarking on the 'Number One Tour' across 17 towns nationwide. Demand for tickets to the shows was so strong that matinee performances were put on in most venues.
"Number One" was the follow-up to "Tonight", achieving a #12 position on the New Zealand charts. In September 1999 a cover of the George Michael penned "Freedom" was released but failed to chart. Columbia discussed a follow-up album to the platinum 11-track debut Dream in 1999, but it was never recorded. The planned first single 'We Kissed' was written by Carly Binding who then left the band in early 2000 citing personal differences. She has since gone on to record a string of hits - including releasing the aforementioned 'We Kissed' as a solo single.