Ilona Talk To My Body Interview

Rising dance-pop artist Ilona has released her hypnotic new single "Talk to My Body." Propelled by impassioned chord progressions and Ilona's sensuous harmonies, "Talk to My Body" is an expression of the fiery desire that comes with physically reconnecting with a partner you love. Fueled by intense fervor and longing, Ilona says the song "is about owning your emotions, and your body, and feels freeing to sing." "Talk to My Body" is now available to stream and download on all digital platforms worldwide.

 

"Talk to My Body" radiates with suspense and an intoxicating rhythm. Ilona's vocals shine, characterized by her strong finesse and mesmerizing tone. With a gift for crafting captivating melodies, she effortlessly weaves together a tapestry of irresistible hooks and breathtaking vocals, propelling listeners through her tension-filled lyrics. Ilona expresses an immense feeling of liberation, resonating with audiences as a testament to the strength of the feminine spirit. "I kept playing this chord progression on my keyboard, and it was so intense, I remembered thinking, 'Oh, this is going to be dramatic and hypnotic.' I also wanted to depict the feeling of a vacuum and the desire to fill that void with intimacy," she explains. "Talk to My Body" is a provocative invitation with a proclamation of freedom. Ilona celebrates fearless desire and encourages listeners to feel empowered by their sensuality. "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." The track was mixed and produced by Moritz Braun, mastered at Lurssen Mastering, and features Joey Petrarca on guitar. 

 

From Apple Valley, Minnesota, Ilona is the personification of a multicultural upbringing, raised within a Russian/Ukrainian household. Growing up, she often found herself caught between two worlds, feeling like an outsider due to her unique blend of Russian and American cultures. Despite the challenges she faced with embracing her individuality, Ilona discovered solace and inspiration from her mother. A gifted classical musician, Ilona's mother exposed her to dance and music at an early age. It was under her mother's unwavering guidance and support that Ilona's artistic journey began to take shape. Trained in gymnastics and dance, Ilona looked to artists such as Beyonce, Shakira, and Rhianna for inspiration, as they have found immense harmony in connecting their feelings into movement. Ilona's vibrantly melodic voice merges the power of physical expression with soulful vocals, creating a hypnotizing synergy that engages the mind with the body. She continued to develop her captivating pop sound as a vocal student at Berklee College of Music. From there, she collaborated with producer Moritz Braun at Just For Record Studio to hone in on the dynamic and fiery arrangements that characterize her sound. At the heart of her artistry lies a deep commitment to female empowerment, infusing every note and lyric with a resounding message of inner strength and personal liberation. Ilona's music serves as a celebration of the beauty that blossoms when one embraces their true self. 

 

"Talk to My Body" exemplifies Ilona's ability to encourage her fans in their own self-expression and experiences. The track serves as an anthem for listeners who are fearless and confident in their desires. "Talk to My Body" is available for streaming now. To keep up with Ilona's musical journey, you can follow her on Instagram @iamilonamusic.

 

 

Interview With Ilona

 

How would you describe your music?

 

I would describe my music as soulful, sensual, and electric! Definitely a pop/dance/soul style. I feel like with every song you take on a different role, and it has been such an amazing journey just to see how each song takes shape and becomes so different from the next.

What was the inspiration behind your latest single "Talk To My Body"?

"Talk To My Body" was so unique because I wrote it from such a calm place, but it is so emotional and soulful! I remember playing a chord progression over and over and feeling so inspired by it. I was like, this one is going to be hypnotic! It is really rare that I immediately picture the stage, and how I see myself performing it, but with "Talk To My Body" it was so natural. I was already dancing to it in my head, without it being produced yet, and envisioning a burlesque style of dance and choreography. But I also wanted to depict the feeling of a void, and that sense of wonder, 'Can you trust your partner?' And that yearning to reconnect and find reconciliation while on rocky ground.

 

What are your musical influences?

 

My musical influences can range from my current mood at the moment to something I see, or something I hear. Listening to new music influences me a lot. I do so much listening in my spare time. I listen to indie artists, the hot 100, tearjerkers, throwbacks, new artists, it ranges every day. But I feel like listening informs my style and inspires me to write and try new things. I also love Billie Eilish, Rosalia, Taylor Swift, Ed Sheeran, Olivia Rodrigo. They are such prolific writers, and great storytellers! They definitely influence me for sure.

 

Do you prefer performing live or recording?

 

Both! They are so different. In the studio, it is such an intimate setting, but it still feels like a performance because you're trying to connect to the emotion as closely as possible. On the stage, however, you have to connect to your audience and translate that emotion, so your audience feels it too! I feel like being on the stage is harder because there is the added pressure of so many people watching you! But it could also be so satisfying when people connect and support your music. It's the best feeling in the world!

 

Your last single "Catch My Vibe" we released alongside some excellent video choreography, what can we expect for this single?

 

Thank you so much! That was such a fun video to shoot. For "Talk To My Body" I actually had a choreographer, and we developed a really cool burlesque/heels style of dance for this song. There will be a full music video for this song! It came up spontaneously, because we were shooting a shorter video and ended up getting enough content for a whole video!

 

What motivates you most when writing music?

 

My greatest motivation is my experiences. I also love storytelling and digging into the emotion of a song. That is usually the first step for me. Sometimes it could also start with a melody line, and absolutely no lyrics, just something I can't stop humming. Then I usually pull out my keyboard and continue developing the song.

 

Which music/artists are you currently listening to?

Ahh today it was Melanie Martinez and her new song "Void," Olivia Rodrigo, and Billie Eilish. Also, Taylor Swift's, "Safe and Sound" came on, and I was truly entranced for a second. Such a beautiful song.

 

What or who was your inspiration to go into the music industry?

 

My Mom was the first artist that I grew up watching and admiring. She is a classically trained musician, and she always inspires me, even to this day.  Having her advice and consistent support means the world to me! Having the ability to process music through my body, voice, and writing is the most rewarding feeling in the world, so I always knew that I wanted to be able to influence people through my art.

 

If you could collaborate with another artist, who would it be?

 

Rosalia or Billie Eilish and Finneas. I love Rosalia, she has such an authentic sound, and she is so great live. Watching her live is like watching a music video, so engaging! I have always resonated with Billie Eilish and Finneas and their style of writing. They are two of my favorites for their creative risks and storytelling abilities, and it would be a dream to collaborate with them someday!

 

What is the biggest challenge you have faced in the music industry?

I think the biggest challenge for me so far is to put myself out there! It is much more nerve-wracking than I imagined! You have to wear your heart on a sleeve in music and share your voice and your vulnerabilities, and then your listeners have a chance to like it or completely reject it! So that can definitely be a challenge, but it's so worth it when people reach out and say, "I LOVE YOUR SONG, I've been there, or I can relate."

 

What's next, for you?

Live performances! I have a third single on the way with more video content, and I am constantly writing, so an EP sometime soon, which I am so excited about!!

 

Can you share your socials? (links please)

THANK YOU for having me:  My Instagram is @iamilonamusic