I had an amazing time playing the SXSW Fundraiser at The Bedford. So many lovely people came and supported me, and it was an honour to share a stage with the legendary Antonio Forcione. His performance was just unreal! Thank you Henry Shine (who is now a proud owner of the Jack Daniels Stratocaster electric guitar, covered in autographs)! Had fun catching up with Chris Dugdale and The Dunwells again, who then jetted off to Memphis to play Folk Alliance. On another note, congrats to Ed Sheeran for winning 2 Brit Awards last night! Well deserved. Looking forward to next year! The rest of this week I’ll be relaxing and enjoying time off, and a weekend retreat to Rome! Ciao! 

This SUNDAY- I’m so looking forward to SXSW Fundraiser Gig at The Bedford with The Dunwells and Antonio Forcione. There are only a few days left to get your tickets (they include a meal, a drink, photo with the artists, performance and special prizes!) and I hope I see all of you there! This will be the last show before I fly to America, and I’ll have Joel Mcbride and Dave Holden join me on stage this Sunday. See you there! xx http://thebedford.eventbrite.com/?ebtv=C

Dear friends, fans and music lovers! I’m playing at the Bedford on 19th Feb with The Dunwells at this fundraiser for South by South West. It’s the last fundraiser before the festival and I hope everyone comes and supports us, as this will help enormously for The Bedford stage to feature at SXSW in America in March. I’m very excited to have the opportunity to perform there and it won’t happen without your help first. Tickets for 19th are exclusive and limited, 30 pounds each and include a cocktail, a meal, a show and a special guest star performance on the night. There will be signed CDs as well, photo opportunity with the artists and special golden envelopes with a chance to win some amazing prizes! Ticket link here:  http://thebedford.eventbrite.com/?ebtv=C

I’m excited to be recording my debut single, ‘All she’ll ever need’, at Arcadium Studios next week! The release date will be announced soon so keep a ear out. I’ve had an exciting week attending BBC Club to watch The Dunwells play and Rock The House launch where I met Angry vs The Bear who were lovely. In the mean time I’m supporting The Dunwells in Newcastle this Saturday, being interviewed on BBC Radio Essex and playing High Barn next week, and writing with the amazing Michael Logen. Cannnot wait!

HAPPY NEW YEAR to all my friends, family and fans, hope you’ve spent the holidays full of food, love and laughter! I have 2 new songs for you, ‘All she’ll ever need’ and ‘My favourite defeat’. In the next 2 weeks I’ll be in the studio recording, gigging, searching for amazing musicians to join me for recording sessions (drummers and guitarists get in touch!) and writing more songs. Next gig is at The Bedford, I’m supporting Lenny Zakatek from the band Gonzalez. I can also be found performing every other Saturday at a quirky cool new venue called Barrel & Horn in Bromley. Here’s a pic from their Christmas Eve gig!

So..I’ve had really AMAZING  past 3 weeks. I played with The Dunwells and then was selected to sing at BBC London’s Christmas show alongside Maxi Priest, Sonna Rele and The Puppini Sisters- I closed the show with 3 songs- it was broadcast on 18th. My EPK is now out and up on YouTube- head to www.youtube.com/ilonatmusic to watch it- recorded it at Arcadium Studios which was fun! This week I also supported the incredible Newton Faulkner at The Bedford- a dream come true! And lastly- I had the enormous pleasure to meet one of my idols Natasha Bedingfield, together with Leona Lewis and Joss Stone, see them perform live, and party the night away afterwards. Slightly surreal. Now…it’s Christmas… so head to soundcloud to listen to my new song ‘Endlessly’ which I’ve been performing at all these events lately. Thank you for your constant support! Love, Ilona xx

So we have had a fun few weeks! Playing with Rich Hall was fantastic, Childline Rocks with The Find was a beauty, and my photoshoot with Richard Tatham in Nottingham was a blast! I also sang live at Ryan’s Bar in Derby and did a guest session on Surrey Unsigned at Brooklands Radio with David Durant- interview was fun and we sang 4 songs live with a great response. Highlight gig of the month so far- turning on Christmas Lights at Marylebone with The Dunwells and the lovely Lisa Snowdon.I was lucky enough to see The Red Hot Chilli Peppers at The O2 and The Sisters of Mercy at The Roundhouse, and to have another jam with Luke from Nizlopi at The Kashmir Klub Reunion show at Union Chapel- a surreal experience considering the enormous amount of talent in one room- there was Lucie Silvas, Jamie Woon, Tom Baxter and The Feeling… truly great times indeed.

Next I’m supporting Miss 600 at St Pancras Old Church on 30th!! Get your tickets now for £8 by following the link http://alt-tickets.co.uk/alttickets/event_ate_13786a.html

I’m playing alongside the incredible Rich Hall on Thursday! Click on the poster to buy your tickets, it’s going to be an amazing show- tickets £10 plus a complimentary drink on arrival. See you there!! X

A lot of gigs lined up but first it’s Temple Cloud this Saturday with the The Dunwell Brothers, I’m lucky to be supporting them for the third time this year! Then I’m heading to Brighton at Latest Bar on 28th! November will kick off with SongFest 2011, Brooklands Radio session, Childline Rocks gig, turning on the Chrimbo Lights at Marylebone and an exciting new project I’m being involved in- will reveal soon….