AWARD-WINNING RECORDING ARTIST
– IVA –
SETS DATE FOR U.S. DEBUT
LEAP out July 10th
Album Produced by Tim Sonnefeld (Usher, Amos Lee)
Recipient of Swedish-American of the Year Award
(Los Angeles, CA – May 18, 2015) International recording artist, vocalist and songwriter, IVA, returns with her new EP – LEAP, set for release on July 10th, making her one of the first artists to utilize the new “Friday, Global Release Day” for music. Produced by Tim Sonnefeld, whose collaborations include Grammy winning albums with Usher, as well as albums with Philadelphia artists Amos Lee and Sharon Little, LEAP was recorded at Philadelphia’s Milkboy and Retro City Studios.
Although trained as an opera singer, IVA, who is Swedish-American by birth, wrote and released two pop records in Sweden, the second with Universal. LEAP, however, was compiled after she moved back to the United States and truly captures the essence of that freedom IVA discovered while overseas. Discussing the new EP and working with Tim Sonnefeld, IVA remarked, “Tim is one of the most solid musicians, and person, I have ever worked with. He understood my vision, nurtured it and took us every step of the way with an amazing ear and attitude.” Album preparations became reality with a wildly successful Kickstarter campaign that exceeded IVA’s funding goals and allowed more studio time with Tim. Continued support and early exposure of the EP on Philly’s influential tastemaker radio station WXPN, and reviews of IVA’s musical history have been very positive, such as;
Billboard Magazine remarked on IVA’s versatility, touting her as an artist to watch
who was “doubl[ing] up in Sweden” with opera and pop.
Tri-State Indie proclaimed “Keep your eyes open for this remarkable crossover
talent…she’s the real thing.”
IVA, a student of The Julliard School and graduate of The Manhattan School of Music as well as Princeton, began to play the New York clubs and Off-Broadway venues before moving to Sweden thanks to a Fulbright Scholarship for performing artists. It was in Sweden where IVA embraced her operatic side and sung with the Royal Opera of Stockholm. An unexpected experience for IVA took place when she relocated from New York City to Stockholm, Sweden. A stranger in a country with a completely different way of life, she was able to explore who she was with a freedom she didn’t know was possible. This time abroad led to an explosion of creativity and changed the direction of her career and her life forever.
After several years abroad studying, writing and performing music, IVA returned to the States where, thanks to an appearance on NBC’s Late Night with Conan O’Brien she caught the ear of Band Leader Max Weinberg. Weinberg was so taken by her voice and she was invited to return to the show multiple times as a singer and actress. It is also what inspired IVA to LEAP from opera to pop. While working on LEAP, IVA found herself opening for respected female artists, Paula Cole & Kat Edmonson, in addition to performing on Grammy winner Emile Haynie’s album, We Fall.
This summer, IVA will return to Sweden, where she will be the recipient of Årets Svensk Amerikan (Swedish-American of the Year); an annual award presented by the Vasa Order of America since 1960. Recipients, either Swedish or American by birth, have made significant contributions to the relationship between the two countries. Past honorees, including iconic astronaut Buzz Aldrin and actress/sex-symbol Ann-Margret, have been honored with a Golden Plaque, diploma, and their name added to the commemorative Swedish American of the Year tablet, kept in Växjö. IVA’s musical talents have brought honor and enjoyment to both of her “home” countries.
