PledgeMusic and new EP

I have teamed up with PledgeMusic in order to be able to record my new EP with your help, love and support. The plan is to record some fantastic tracks with legendary producer Chris Kimsey (Rolling Stones, INXS, Peter Frampton) at the newly reopened Olympic studios in May- we have chosen a few brand new, original tracks I’m very excited about! Please go to www.pledgemusic.com/artists/ilona and sign up for free to receive a free download of ‘All she’ll ever need’, all you need to do is leave your email or ‘like’ my FB or Twitter page in return- this way you are already helping me build a global network of supporters! Amazing! My next big show is 21st May at The Borderline, with a full band, supporting The Dunwells, come say hi and I’ll tell you more about the EP project! Love, Ilona x

Latest news

I’ve had a fantastic time playing Dreamcatcher in Tromso, what a beautiful, magical place in Norway…so close to the North Pole, with an air of calmness and inspiration. My music was well received and the people wonderful. After landing in London I played 4 shows, gained some incredible new friends and fans, and 3 new songs were born- ‘Tonight I’m alone’, ’1966′, ‘Almost invisible’. Remember those titles! Excited about the future, which is taking me down roads less travelled and on new journeys I’m happy to embrace. My next shows are in Cambridge and Bristol- find details on www.facebook.com/ilonaartist Catch me live playing Sound City Festival in Liverpool on 19th May and supporting the amazing The Dunwells at The Borderline, London on 21st May. Ilona x

April and May shows

I am excited to be supporting The Dunwells again after playing together at SXSW in the US. We’ll be performing live in London at The Bowery on 18th and The Borderline on 21st May, tickets are on sale now. Don’t miss these exclusive shows, and support The Dunwells live after their enormously successful US tour (www.thedunwells.com). Next week I’m flying to Norway to play Dreamcatcher in Tromso, and I’m coming back to film a live performance from Arcadium studios, play a few private shows, support Frank Hamilton in Cambridge and record an exciting project (revealled soon). The music video for ‘All she’ll ever need’ is being edited as we speak! www.facebook.com/ilonaartist

To America and back..

I’ve just returned from a mini tour of US playing SXSW 2012 in Austin, Texas, and more shows in Los Angeles. We had 17 amazing days of performing, networking, giving radio interviews and filming footage for my next video of ‘All she’ll ever need’, and exploring America! I found the audiences incredibly friendly, open-minded and very kind, got my first standing ovation, had a great time playing The Bedford Stage with The Dunwells, Antonio Lulic, Eliza Gilkyson, Beth Rowley, Michael Logen, Ed Sheeran, Marcus Foster and Kiernan McMullen, sang a few tunes with Daniel Bedingfield at a last minute gig, and loved the energy and cool vibe of LA. I can’t wait to come back very soon and record my album there. Thank you to my amazing fans, friends and family for supporting me! Here’s a fun memory from our gig-

Here’s to a week off…

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! 

Last show before America!

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

SXSW Fundraiser 2012

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

 

Debut single news

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!

2012 is here!

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!

 

 

December shows and Christmas updates!

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