How a dance club meeting sparked a global pop phenomenon
In short: In 1998, producer Andy Van Dorsselaer met singer Cheyne Coates in a dance club. What began as a songwriting partnership soon evolved into Madison Avenue, an electronic duo that would bridge the gap between Australian club culture and international pop dominance.
The duo’s trajectory changed significantly during the recording of 'Don't Call Me Baby.' While the track was initially intended for vocalist Kellie Wolfgram to use as a guide, Van Dorsselaer ultimately preferred the version recorded by Coates. Such a move drove the track to enormous popularity, reaching number two on the 1999 ARIA Singles Chart. This success was bolstered by the track's triple platinum certification in Australia, having shipped 210,000 units by December 2000.
The song's impact was truly global. It topped the charts in New Zealand in April 2000 and reached number one in the United Kingdom in May 2000, selling 400,000 copies there. This milestone was significant; no Australian group had reached the top of the UK charts since Men at Work's 'Down Under' in February 1983, a gap lasting a decade until Yolanda Be Cool and DCUP hit number one in July 2010. Additionally, the single achieved top ten status in both Ireland and Greece.
The duo's supremacy was confirmed at the 2000 ARIA Music Awards through several trophies, including Breakthrough Artist – Single, Highest Selling Single, and Single of the Year. Their only studio album, The Polyester Embassy, released in 2000, reached number four on the Australian album charts. Though they originally envisioned themselves as a collective dance group similar to Soul II Soul, Coates became the group's primary public face before the duo disbanded in 2003. Beyond these accolades, the pair secured the Best Video award for their work on 'Who the Hell Are You?' and were nominated for Best Group and Best Dance Release. They also earned the Best Dance Artist title at the 2001 International Dance Awards in Miami.
Following the breakup, Coates transitioned into a successful career writing songs for others, while Van Dorsselaer went on to form the band Vandalism. Coates released her solo debut, 'I've Got Your Number', in early 2004, followed by her first solo album later that year.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Madison Avenue (band)
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