''Music to me is like the oxygen I breathe ? essential!? claims Ifé (pronounced e-faye),
and it was clear that from an early age that Ifé?s life path would see her have a career in
music. Born in Seattle, USA, Ifé grew up surrounded by music and went on to study
musical theatre at school, where she began honing her raw skills by singing and
participated in various choirs before going on to study music and voice at university.
It was during her time at university in Washington, D.C that Ifé got her first real taste for
the stage, where she was invited to be a back up singer on it?s burgeoning music scene
with the likes of Amerie, Tank and Raheem DeVaughn. ?Being given the opportunity to
work with such talented artists was such a blessing and really inspired me to develop my
own career in music.?
The following year found Ifé in London during her senior year at university, where she
began to focus on developing her songwriting. "I think the culture of London mixed with
the cold weather and lots of time spent on the trains traveling throughout the UK inspired
me in a different way," she says. "I was always a writer in general, but living and
studying in another country is what made my words on paper start to shape into verses
and melodies. I felt like the singing and songwriting could really go together."
In a chance meeting Ifé met producer DJ Dodge who loved her work and they
subsequently teamed up in the studio to record together to work on her debut EP. "The
EP recording process was amazing...I learned so much working with DJ Dodge, and the
whole process allowed me to grow as a writer and arranger in my own right. I got to
really take time and pick the sounds I wanted and write from my heart."
The outcome is ?Crescendo? a 5-track EP, which provides listeners with a taste of the
chanteuse?s musical offerings. Reflecting on the EP?s sound; Ifé proclaims; "My style is
really a reflection of my influences, which are a blend of soul and pop from around the
world. But, what I want to do is bring back the feel good nature and quality of soul music,
but still give it a mass appeal.? Labelled soul-pop, Ifé explains how hard it can be fusing
the genres together and not leaning to heavily on one particular genre. ?Like the perfect
recipe for your favourite dish, I have to make sure I have the right mix with my music so
that people enjoy the end product, otherwise it will go to waste.?
The first single taken from ?Crescendo? is the soul infused ?Aim To Please?. With its
catchy hook and pulsating beats, ?Aim To Please? is the perfect introductory single to
Ifé, showcasing both her vocal abilities and songwriting talents. "Aim to Please? is about
being able to empower a woman to please her partner in a sensual, fun and sexy way.
As a woman, sometimes it's fun to turn the tables and create scenarios where we can
take the time to let the one we're with know that he's special. It's - be assertive and keep
it fun and spicy with out being too much." The video for ?Aim To Please? sees Ifé pair
up with Jensen Atwood, star of Dante?s Cove and Noah?s Arc.
Other offerings on the Crescendo EP include ?Fly"; a melodic mid-tempo about having a
crush on someone from a distance, the percussion-heavy "Say, Say, Say"; a smoothed
out appreciation of the sweet nothings that lovers like to whisper in each other's ears,
whilst ?Mocha Mellow? is a beautiful acoustic ditto to a man scarred by love and "Love Is
Where You Are" reflects on the excitement that comes from meeting someone special
and new.
With comparisons of a young Sade meets Lena Horne, Ifé is an enthralling singer/
songwriter with a unique sound and style all her own. Currently splitting her time
between London and Los Angeles Ifé can be seen performing at venues around the UK
and US with her live band. Whether it's an unplugged acoustic set, or a full 8-piece
accompaniment, her sultry and engaging stage show is always captivating and sonically
engaging, making her one of 2010?s artists to watch.
?Aim To Please? is available for purchase on iTunes now and EP ?Crescendo? will be
available on March 8th
To find out more information about Ifé check her out on the following:
www.ifemusic.com
www.twitter.com/ifesoulmusic
www.myspace.com/ifesoulmusic
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