Ilonka

Performing a unique blend of soulful pop and rock. South African singer-songwriter Ilonka has created the foundation for a musical sound that has everyone’s attention. Her style is a cocktail of her genetically inherent Afrikaans roots combined with modern American pop culture, which results in a mouth-watering sound the music industry has awaited for the last decade—a decade that has past us by without anyone daring to challenge the pop rock status quo. That new voice has arrived and it is the product of an ambitious and unrelenting woman. Ilonka, at the ripe age of fourteen studied vocal performance and music theory at the prestigious University of South Africa (UNISA) as well as signing a 4-year deal with Global Resorts, where she captivated audiences headlining at casinos throughout South Africa. It was during this period Ilonka’s beautiful voice was discovered and put to much-needed use for various demo recordings as well as the independent release “10 AM Insanity”. Working as a sixteen-year-old solo artist, Ilonka once again proved her endless talents as not only a young woman with a distinctive and powerful voice, but also as a committed and skilled songwriter, producing tracks containing wise and emotional lyrics that transcended her youth. This experience of encouragement and self-confidence prompted Ilonka to release her first independent record, “Mirror of my Soul”. Having gained a large following at an early age in South Africa, Ilonka decided if she were to make her dream a worldwide reality, she would have to migrate to the U.S. Upon her arrival in America, she wasted no time finding her way to Nashville where she spearheaded the formation of a band, recorded an album, and to date has developed a tremendous following with a rabid fan base. Aside from her amazing, powerful voice and innovative panache for musicianship, it is Ilonka’s emotional songwriting that makes her one of the most touching artists to come along in many years. With extraordinary stage presence and the uncanny gift to force one into believing every word she sings—a rare commodity these days—Ilonka’s lyrics come from somewhere deep within her, whether she sings of self experience or not, it has no bearing on her incessant passion and ability to move an audience to the places she speaks of. Each of her songs builds to a crescendo of triumph and hope, leaving her fans gracious and speechless. With the astonishing accomplishment of over a thousand live performances to her credit, Ilonka has signed a major long-term record deal with Gambit Music Group. Ilonka enjoys the full support of Gambit, led by Bill Deaton, a longtime veteran of the music business. Ilonka has been working laboriously with Gambit Music Group recording her new “Fly” as well as filming a music video for her first single “How Do You Feel?” The album is slated for a fall 2007 release. Upon the album’s release Ilonka will be gearing up for a national tour performing opening spots for various well-known artists from all around the country.