Sparkling, sensuous, and female-forward: Ilona is a powerhouse pop performer and songwriter whose artistry presents a fierce alchemy of irresistible hooks, exquisite vocals, and self-reliant liberation.
Two back-to-back singles serve as an alluring introduction: “Catch My Vibe,” propelled by a smoldering Latin groove, is lifted by an arc of multiple harmonies — all Ilona — spiraling upward in choral ascension. “Post pandemic, we are craving human connections,” affirms Ilona of the song’s message. “I’m saying, ‘I want you to take me to a higher level of intimacy, mentally and emotionally.’ And to also have fun.”
“Talk to My Body,” is a hypnotic invitation with a proclamation of freedom. “It’s a dilemma for women” Ilona says. “We are constantly taught that our bodies are not our own. This song shows a woman in power, coming from a place of equity and equality. I am finally able to express myself sensually from a place of strength.”
Belying her camera-ready image, Ilona has small town roots. From Apple Valley, Minnesota, the daughter of a Russian/Ukrainian family, she describes herself as an “introverted extrovert,” who was ostracized for being different. “Not fully American, and not totally Russian,” she explains. But her mom, a classically trained musician, built a dance studio in their home, and encouraged her creativity. “It’s because of her guidance and support that I am here,” Ilona confirms. “It’s a privilege to carry the torch for her on the path she opened up for me, to expose the strength of her steps.”
A lifelong dancer trained in gymnastics, Ilona notes that artists who connected their emotions to movement served as a blueprint: Beyonce, Rihanna, and Shakira. As a vocal student at Berklee College of Music in Boston, she found inspiration in a virtual lecture by composer Hans Zimmer, and his journey of creative independence.
When Ilona moved back to Minnesota during the pandemic, it was her mom who encouraged her to relocate to Los Angeles. “She is a very present figure,” testifies Ilona. “ We have an unshakeable trust; she is the one who I listen to.” To finance the move, Ilona drove for Uber and Lyft, and saved up money to live for six months. “I was able to explore the city, come home to my Airbnb, and work on hooks.” And being alone, she channeled a deep introspective creativity. “Processing my thoughts through my songwriting,” she says.
Now, just over a year later, she has made remarkable inroads in her artistic evolution. “I’ve never felt more at home than I do here. I was always so intimidated by LA, but coming here was one of the best decisions of my life,” she enthuses. Recording at Just For The Record Studio with producer Moritz Braun, Ilona tracked with top tier audio technology, as Braun conceived complex vocal harmonies on the spot, and helped craft the vibrant arrangements that now define her sound. “Moritz took a chance on me,” Ilona reveals. “It was my first time recording in a professional studio.”
For Ilona, being an artist is not about self-glorification, but sharing truth and vulnerability. “How can we uplift each other and bring something valuable to each other’s lives?” she asks. “I want positivity and empowerment to be the central focus.” Perseverance, motivation, and fortitude: It’s a new dawn, a new day, and a new era –and Ilona has arrived.
SOURCE: Official Bio
LINKS:
https://www.instagram.com/iamilonamusic/
https://open.spotify.com/artist/0McT03HxdRZWSTFExR8xEC