Iiris

Iiris

Iiris performing at Iceland Airwaves 2011.
Background information
Birth name Iiris Vesik
Born (1991-07-16) July 16, 1991
Origin Tallinn, Estonia
Genres Indie pop, Dream pop
Instruments vocals, piano, flute
Years active (2003–present)
Labels Universal Music Finland
Associated acts Aides
Website iirismusic.com

Iiris Vesik (born 16 July 1991), an artist better known mononymously as Iiris, is an Estonian singer-songwriter and stage actress.[1] Her debut album The Magic Gift Box was released in March 2012 under EMI Music Finland.[2]

Early life

Vesik attended Jakob Westholmi Gümnaasium since 1998, graduating in 2010.[3] She has a younger brother and two younger half-sisters.[4]

She won third place in the Estonian singing competition "Tähtede laul" in 2003.[5]

She also won third place in the Estonian singing competition "Kaks Takti Ette" in 2007, which was televised.

Eurovision

Iiris has competed to represent Estonia in the Eurovision Song Contest on two occasions. In 2008, her song "Ice-Cold Story",[6] written by Riine Pajusaar, placed second in the Eurolaul competition.[7] In 2010 she returned with the self-composed song "Astronaut", placing fourth in the Eesti Laul competition.[8] In 2016, along with Kerli, she wrote the song "Immortality" performed by Cartoon and Kristel Aaslaid, for Eesti Laul 2016.[9]

The Magic Gift Box

2010 was a year that rocketed Iiris into the spotlight. After the showcase festival „Tallinn Music Week“, Iiris got people talking. “Especially good performance and great songwriting”, said Dietmar Schwenger of MusikWoche. Invitations from festivals like Popkomm (Germany), Musiikki & Media (Finland), The Great Escape (UK), Positivus (Latvia) and Iceland Airwaves (Iceland) followed soon.

At the beginning of 2011 Iiris became the artist of the week on MTV Iggy’s blog – “A depressingly few amount of bands have “it.” In fact, I’m pretty sure I didn’t know what “it” was, until I listened to Estonian singer/songwriter/pianist Iiris. Because whatever “it” is, she definitely has it. Iiris has the eclecticism, the smarts, the innovation, the pop sound, not to mention the adorable/pretty image to become a huge mega mega, mega star.”

Iiris is an artist who is born to be on stage. Wherever she`s been, wherever she`s performed, audience has been left in awe:

“What time is it? Did I miss the first bands playing tonight? Iiris is owning the stage like a headlining act.” (The Reykjavik Grapevine)

“Iiris is in search of strange soundscapes and alt-rock with delicately bold vocals, and it works.” (NME blog)

“The band’s intense energy and interdynamics, as well as Iiris’s (lead vocals) bubbly personality and control of the stage set an extraordinary tone for the rest of the evening.” (Nutflicks)

“Iiris was out of this world. She was full of confidence and sparked the joy of being onstage. (Soundi)

Iiris was signed to EMI Finland in June 2011.[10] Her debut album The Magic Gift Box, produced by Ago Teppand (a.k.a. Sethh),[11] was released on 28 March 2012.[12][13]

Iiris is often compared to Estonian pop singer Kerli, and they are both fans of each other.[14]

After Universal Music Group bought EMI, Iiris has been releasing her songs on Universal Music Finland.

Musical style

Iiris is frequently compared to artists such as Björk, Florence & The Machine, Kate Bush, Kerli and Regina Spektor, whilst she herself describes her music as "a beast made of pop, with electronic legs, alternative feathers and natural instruments as hands".[15]

Discography

Studio albums
EPs
Singles

Awards and nominations

Year Recipient/Nominated work Award Result
2010 Herself Skype "Go Change The World Award" @ TMW Won
2012 "Melyse" Estonian Music Award for Best Music Video Nominated
2013 The Magic Gift Box Estonian Music Award for Best Album Nominated
Estonian Music Award for Best Debut Album Nominated
Estonian Music Award for Best Pop Album Nominated
Herself Estonian Music Award for Best Female Artist Won
"Weirdo" Estonian Music Award for Best Music Video Nominated
2014 "Tigerhead" Estonian Music Award for Best Music Video Won

References

  1. ↑ Leivak, Verni (9 Feb 2008). "Iiris otsib spunki". Postimees (in Estonian).
  2. ↑ "Täna ilmus Iirise debüütalbum "The Magic Gift Box"" (in Estonian). elu24. 28 March 2012. Retrieved 31 March 2012.
  3. ↑ Aavik, Kadi (17 June 2010). "Iiris Vesik: õppimiseks pidin kodunt jalga laskma" (in Estonian). Naised.
  4. ↑ Kapstas, Meelis (11 December 2007). "Pisike Björk ehk midagi head" (in Estonian). NaisteMaailm.
  5. ↑ "Haridusameti tunnustus abiturient Iiris Vesikule" (in Estonian). Jakob Westholmi Gümnaasium. Retrieved 31 March 2012.
  6. ↑ Laul nr9. Iiris Vesik – Ice-cold Story. ERR.
  7. ↑ Eurolaul 2008. eurovisioon.ee
  8. ↑ Eesti Laul 2010. eurovisioon.ee
  9. ↑ Granger, Anthony (5 November 2015). "Estonia: Eesti Laul 2016 Participants Announced". Eurovoix. Retrieved 5 November 2015.
  10. ↑ Aasma, Kristin, ed. (21 March 2012). "Plaadifirma EMI annab välja Iirise esikalbumi "The Magic Gift Box"". Õhtuleht (in Estonian). Retrieved 30 March 2012.
  11. ↑ Nestor, Siim (29 March 2012). "Blond kutt Iirise kõrval". Eesti Ekspress (in Estonian).
  12. ↑ Tooming, Rando (24 March 2012). "Iiris Vesik: olen vaid kanal, mis valmis laulud maailma toob". Õhtuleht. Retrieved 30 March 2012.
  13. ↑ "Lõpuks! Täna ilmus Iirise debüütalbum "The Magic Gift Box"" (in Estonian). Delfi. 28 March 2012. Retrieved 30 March 2012.
  14. ↑ Veski, Rivo (19 December 2011). "Iiris ja Kerli fännavad teineteist juba pikemat aega" (in Estonian). elu24. Retrieved 31 March 2012.
  15. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XbTVACY_E7E

External links

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