Early life

Archer was born in Bradford, Yorkshire. She attended Grange Upper School and after graduating, first worked as a sewing machine operator. She attended Bradford College in 1980 to study typing, and then became a clerk at Leeds Magistrates' Court.

Archer joined a group called Dignity as a backing vocalist, and played with different bands around the Bradford area. She helped out at a recording studio in Bradford called Flexible Response, and subsequently began working with musicians John Hughes and John Beck as The Archers. During this time, Tasmin Archer developed skills in the music business.

Musical career

Great Expectations

Archer signed to EMI in 1990, and released her first single, "Sleeping Satellite" in August 1992, which went to #1 in the UK Singles Chart. The single also enjoyed minor success in the U.S. where it peaked at #32 on the Billboard Hot 100. The album Great Expectations followed in October 1992. It reached #8 in the UK Albums Chart, and achieved gold disc status by December for sales of more than 100,000 copies. Further singles from the album followed, and although they were Top 40 hits in the UK, they did not achieve the same level of success as her début.

Archer donated the royalties from her second single "In Your Care" to Childline. The song was about child abuse. In 1993 Archer won a BRIT Award for the Best British Breakthrough Act. However, later she joked that she kept her award in the back of her kitchen cupboard, and claimed that she used it for cracking nuts and tenderising steak.

Bloom

After disappearing from the limelight, Archer reappeared in 1996 with her second album Bloom. However, the single "One More Good Night With The Boys" failed to reach the UK Top 40, and the album peaked at #95. In late 1997, disagreements with EMI left Archer somewhat disillusioned and feeling like she had been treated as a commodity. She decided to take a short break from the industry.

After two years, Archer felt the time was right to start writing again but was hindered by writer's block. Although this did not prevent her from being initially creative she found it difficult to finish anything musically. However, she did not let this stop her from expressing her creativity in other ways, and she began painting and moulding clay.

On

After working through the block and starting in 2002, Archer and Hughes worked on a new album. Initially this was going to be titled Non-Linear, but later became On. Several demo versions of the songs from this album were available for free from the messagetothemagnet website, which was created for the purpose. People were encouraged to send feedback on the material.

On was released on 25 September 2006 on Archer's own label, Quiverdisc. It was preceded on 20 September by a download only single, "Every Time I Want It (Effect is Monotony)"; a radio edit of the album track "Effect is Monotony".

Other work

In a 2006 interview, Archer said she and John Hughes were pursuing opportunities to write for film and TV soundtracks. Subsequently the partners provided work for Eastenders and other shows.

Personal life

Archer has maintained a long-term relationship with musician John Hughes. In 1999, she bought a Sunderland A.F.C. season-ticket, after attending a match with Hughes.

Discography

Singles

Year	Single	Peak positions												Certifications	Album
1992	"Sleeping Satellite"	1	14	11	12	6	12	1	8	12	4	5	32	UK: Silver	Great Expectations
1993	"In Your Care"	16	145	—	—	—	—	—	—	37	—	—	—
	"Lords of the New Church"	26	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	40	—	—	—
	"Somebody's Daughter"	—	—	—	—	—	57	—	—	—	—	—	—
	"Arienne"	30	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
1994	"Shipbuilding EP"	40	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—		Shipbuilding
1996	"One More Good Night With The Boys"	45	189	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—		Bloom
	"Sweet Little Truth"	176	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
2006	"Every Time I Want It (Effect is Monotony)"	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—		On
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released.

Studio albums

Year	Album	Peak positions								Certifications
1992	Great Expectations	8	56	26	34	31	38	26	115	UK: Gold
1994	Shipbuilding	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
1996	Bloom	95	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
2006	On	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released.

Compilation albums

• Premium Gold Collection (2000)
• Singer/Songwriter (2004)
• The Best Of (2009)

[ Source: Wikipedia ]