Aijia Lise Grammer (born June 26, 1986) is an American singer and songwriter from Los Angeles, California.[1][2] Her self-released extended play under the title Learning to Let Go was released in 2012. She has worked as a touring singer for Selena Gomez, Colbie Caillat, Hilary Duff, Jack Black and her husband Andy Grammer.

Aijia Grammer
Background information
Birth nameAijia Lise Guttman
Also known asAijia
Born (1986-06-26) June 26, 1986 (age 38)
OriginLos Angeles
GenresPop
Occupation(s)Singer, songwriter
Instrument(s)Vocals, Piano, Keyboard
Years active2012–present
Spouse
(m. 2012)
Websiteaijiamusic.com

Early life

edit

Aijia was born Aijia Lise Guttman on June 26, 1986, in Los Angeles, California. She took part in choir shows and talent shows from school age.[2]

Aijia is the maternal granddaughter to Helen Guttman, former owner of Anti Club; formerly located in Melrose Hill in Los Angeles.[3][4] Anti Club hosted bands such as Red Hot Chili Peppers, System of a Down, Weezer, Faith No More, Sonic Youth, and The Cult.[5][6][7][8]

Her paternal grandfather was head of the Jazz Piano Dept at the University of Southern California.

She is the paternal niece of the voiceover actress and fellow alumni of The Voice E.G. Daily .[1]

Education

edit

An alumnus of California State University, Northridge, she majored in Jazz Studies. While studying she started an internship at Warner Records supplementing her learning with that of publicity, marketing, and A&R.[2]

Personal life

edit

She married recording artist Andy Grammer in July 2012 in Fullerton, California.[9]

They are parents to daughters Louisiana K. Grammer (b. July 28, 2017) and Israel Blue Grammer (b. April 3, 2020).[10][11][12][13][14] During pregnancy, Grammer suffered from complications due to hyperemesis gravidarum.[15]

She met her husband at California State University, Northridge where they were both enrolled as music students.[16][17][18]

Aijia and her husband have spoken in the past about their adherence to the Baháʼí Faith.[19]

Musical career

edit

Grammer began teaching piano lessons to kids, playing local gigs in her native Los Angeles, and writing music for commercials, trailers, and TV.[2] She went on to singing backing vocals for other artists including Selena Gomez, Colbie Caillat, Hilary Duff, Jack Black, Rachel Platten and her husband Andy Grammer.[20] In 2011, Aijia played for the U.S. troops on a USO tour throughout Iraq, Kuwait, Kosovo, and Germany.[9] Under the performing name of Aijia, Grammer self-released her debut EP titled Learning to Let Go in 2012.[21] This was followed in 2018 and 2019 respectively by singles "For You" and "Magic".[22][23][24][25]

Grammer is also an ambassador for the Los Angeles chapter of Rock and Roll Camp for Girls, a non-profit organization that describes itself as "a social justice organization empowering girls through music education."[26] Other notable ambassadors include Sara Bareilles, Katy Perry, Andra Day, Patty Schemel, Shirley Manson and Keala Settle.[27]

Grammer lists her influences including Alicia Keys, Sia, and Amy Winehouse. Her preferred equipment on stage is the Korg SV-1 88-Key Stage Vintage Piano.[26]

Entertainment industry career

edit

She starred in a production of Andrew Lloyd Webber's, Jesus Christ Superstar in Los Angeles in 2006.[28][9] In 2010 she starred as the part of Angela in The Alliance Theater's production of Twist: An American Musical, staged by Debbie Allen.[29] In the 2010s Grammer played roles in short films, including Drew's 5th Birthday, Girls Night, and The First Step directed by Donnie Hobbie and Ally Zonsius, and Michael A. MacRae respectively.[30][31][32]

In 2016 she appeared on Season 10 of American singing competition television series The Voice.[33][34][35]

Her first feature-length appearance was as Kristin in Snare directed by Khu and Justin Price, also in 2016.[36] In 2019, Grammer joined the casting department of the American songwriting competition series Songland as a talent producer during their first season.[37]

Discography

edit

As Aijia

edit

Extended Plays and Singles

edit
  • Learning to Let Go (2012)

Singles

edit
  • "Magic" (2019)
  • "For You" (2018)

Songwriting Credits

edit

Singles

edit
  • "Over Getting Over You" (2020) - performed by Molly Moore[38]
  • "Black Halo" - written with Josh Doyle and Josh Nyback[39]
  • "Did It To Myself" - written with Josh Doyle and Evan Hillhouse[40]
  • "Coming For You" - written with Josh Tangney and Andre De Santanna[41]
  • "Just Gettin Started" - written with Josh Doyle and Josh Nyback[42]
  • "Love Is What Happens" - written with Dayyon Alexander and Ryan Beatty[43]
  • "Time of Our Lives" - written with Josh Doyle and Josh Nyback[44]
  • "Trouble" - written with Josh Doyle and Josh Nyback[45]
  • "When I'm With You" - written with Josh Tangney and Andre De Santanna[46]
  • "Whenever Whatever" - written with Josh Doyle and Josh Nyback[47]
  • "Woman Scorned" - written with Josh Doyle and Josh Nyback[48]

Filmography

edit

Film

edit
Year Title Role Notes
2013 Drew's 5th Birthday Kelly Short
2015 Girls Night Carmen Short
2015 An Epic Sunday Run Self Short
2016 The First Step Woman Short
2016 Snare Kristin

Television

edit
Year Title Role Notes
2014 Live with Kelly and Ryan Self Musical guest
2016 The Voice Self
2019 Songland Self as a talent producer

Music Videos

edit
Year Title
2013 "Good Cry"
2013 "Learning To Let Go"
2018 "For You"
2013 "Magic"
edit

References

edit
  1. ^ a b "Aijia Grammer". IMDb. Retrieved 25 July 2020.
  2. ^ a b c d "Meet Aijia Grammer". Voyage LA. 30 October 2019. Retrieved 25 July 2020.
  3. ^ Goldstein, Patrick (30 March 1986). "ON THE TOWN: There's always plenty of..." Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 11 August 2020.
  4. ^ "The Anti Club". Rock and Roll Roadmap. rockandrollroadmaps. 18 December 2015. Retrieved 11 August 2020.
  5. ^ "#2 : Anti-Club <Closed> (Los Angeles, CA, USA)". Fascinating Places. Retrieved 11 August 2020.[permanent dead link]
  6. ^ "1995 Tour Dates". systemofadownlive. Retrieved 11 August 2020.
  7. ^ "Anti-Club Los Angeles Concert Setlists". setlist.fm. Retrieved 11 August 2020.
  8. ^ "The Anti Club Show". redhotchilipeppers. RHCP. Retrieved 11 August 2020.[permanent dead link]
  9. ^ a b c Weigle, Lauren. "Aijia Lise – Andy Grammer's Wife". Heavy. Heavy, Inc. Retrieved 11 August 2020.
  10. ^ Sands, Nicole. "Baby Girl on the Way for Andy Grammer and Wife Aijia". People. Meredith Corporation. Retrieved 11 August 2020.
  11. ^ Juneau, Jen. "Andy Grammer and Wife Aijia Welcome Daughter Louisiana K". People. Meredith Corporation. Retrieved 11 August 2020.
  12. ^ Juneau, Jen. "Andy Grammer's Wife Aijia Details 'Powerful' Home Birth with Baby No. 2 After Previous C-Section". People. Meredith Corporation. Retrieved 11 August 2020.
  13. ^ Melody, Chiu; Juneau, Jen. "Andy Grammer and Wife Aijia Expecting Second Daughter: 'It's the Best Thing in the World'". People. Meredith Corporation. Retrieved 11 August 2020.
  14. ^ Cardoza, Riley (15 April 2020). "Inside Andy Grammer and Aijia Grammer's Early Days With Daughter Israel, From Home Birth to Breast-Feeding". US Magazine. American Media, Inc. Retrieved 11 August 2020.
  15. ^ Newcomb, Alyssa (21 November 2019). "Andy Grammer reveals wife is suffering from extreme pregnancy illness, hypermesis gravidarum". Today. NBC UNIVERSAL. Retrieved 11 August 2020.
  16. ^ Bennett, Jacob; Josselyn, Partida (27 May 2020). "Celebrating the Class of 2019-2020". CSUN. California State University, Northridge. Retrieved 11 August 2020.
  17. ^ "Aijia Grammer Says She And Husband Andy Can't Wait to Meet Their Favorite Person! (Interview)". CSUN. University Relations and Advancement © California State University, Northridge. 24 July 2017. Retrieved 11 August 2020.
  18. ^ "Matadors On The Mic". CSUN Magazine. Magazine © California State University, Northridge. Retrieved 11 August 2020.
  19. ^ Wilson, Rainn. "Episode 6: Andy Grammer & Aijia". Baha'i Blogcast with Rainn Wilson. Retrieved 11 August 2020.
  20. ^ "Rachel Platten Performs 'Stand By You'". Ellen Tube. Ellen Digital Ventures In partnership with Warner Bros. Entertainment. Retrieved 11 August 2020.
  21. ^ "Aijia – Learning To Let Go". Discogs. Retrieved 11 August 2020.
  22. ^ Florio, Angelica (13 November 2018). "This Powerful Music Video About #MeToo Was Inspired By Christine Blasey Ford's Testimony". Bustle. Bustle Digital Group. Retrieved 11 August 2020.
  23. ^ "Singer-Songwriter Aijia Grammer Shares Her Song 'For You' With Survivors of Sexual Abuse". KTLA. 25 September 2019. Retrieved 11 August 2020.
  24. ^ "Aijia – For You". Discogs. Retrieved 11 August 2020.
  25. ^ "Aijia – Magic". Discogs. Retrieved 11 August 2020.
  26. ^ a b "Mic Drop with Aijia". Music Aficionado. Guitar Center. Retrieved 13 August 2020.
  27. ^ "First Ever Gala". Rock n' Roll Camp For Girls. Rock n' Roll Camp for Girls Los Angeles. Retrieved 13 August 2020.
  28. ^ Gans, Andrew. "Original Stars of "Jesus Christ Superstar" Join Jack Black for Aug. 13 Reunion Concert". Playbill. Retrieved 11 August 2020.
  29. ^ Hetrick, Adam. "Musical Twist, Staged by Debbie Allen, Opens in Atlanta Sept. 15". Playbill. Retrieved 11 August 2020.
  30. ^ "Girls Night". imdb. Retrieved 11 August 2020.
  31. ^ "Drew's 5th Birthday". imdb. Retrieved 11 August 2020.
  32. ^ "The First Step". imdb. Retrieved 11 August 2020.
  33. ^ Polanco, Luis. "Andy Grammer's Wife Aijia Reacts to 'The Voice' Rejection". Billboard. Billboard. Retrieved 11 August 2020.
  34. ^ Suhas, Maitri (14 March 2016). "Andy Grammer's Wife Is A Performer, Too". Bustle. Bustle Digital Group. Retrieved 11 August 2020.
  35. ^ Parker, Lyndsey (8 March 2016). "Keep Your Head Up, Aijia: Andy Grammer's Wife Tries Out for 'The Voice'". Yahoo! Entertainment. Yahoo!. Retrieved 11 August 2020.
  36. ^ "Snare". imdb. Retrieved 11 August 2020.
  37. ^ "Songland (I) (2019– ) Full Cast & Crew". imdb. Retrieved 11 August 2020.
  38. ^ "OVER GETTING OVER YOU". ascap. Retrieved 11 August 2020.
  39. ^ "BLACK HALO". bmi. Retrieved 13 August 2020.[permanent dead link]
  40. ^ "CMI22127 DID IT TO MYSELF". bmi. Retrieved 13 August 2020.[permanent dead link]
  41. ^ "COMING FOR YOU". bmi. Retrieved 13 August 2020.[permanent dead link]
  42. ^ "JUST GETTIN STARTED". bmi. Retrieved 13 August 2020.[permanent dead link]
  43. ^ "LOVE IS WHAT HAPPENS". bmi. Retrieved 13 August 2020.[permanent dead link]
  44. ^ "TIME OF OUR LIVES". bmi. Retrieved 13 August 2020.[permanent dead link]
  45. ^ "Trouble". bmi. Retrieved 13 August 2020.[permanent dead link]
  46. ^ "WHEN IM WITH YOU". bmi. Retrieved 13 August 2020.[permanent dead link]
  47. ^ "WHENEVER WHATEVER". bmi. Retrieved 13 August 2020.[permanent dead link]
  48. ^ "WOMAN SCORNED". bmi. Retrieved 13 August 2020.[permanent dead link]