Ithalia

Biography:

I was born in Nassau, Bahamas. Mine was a childhood steeped in contradiction - island life with beautiful beaches, palm trees, sunny skies; and poverty, family struggles, and coming of age in a country that was plagued by the new and overwhelming drug trade. Thanks to my open-minded mother, the music in the background of my life was as contradictory as my life itself: Tina Turner rocked with Joan Baez; Bob Marley, Percy Sledge and Jim Croce jammed on Saturdays; and The Staple Singers were the follow up to church on Sundays. The daily house dose of Motown, James Brown and Marvin Gay was as consistent as my pulse, and I was always moved by the pain, the struggle, the triumph, the deepness of the Golden Oldies. I moved to Brattleboro Vermont when I was sixteen to attend Nursing School. It was in the middle of my chemistry and science classes that I realized that nursing (though I got an A-) was not for me. I was a musician - simply. In those years the mixtape of my life expanded and artists like U2, Elton John, Tracy Chapman, Joan Armitrading, The Indigo Girls, Billy Joel - all found a place in my universe. The music medley and the life medley was the perfect environment to nourish a complex, alternative rock, singer-songwriter, who likes to express herself in many ways. I write, play guitar, sing, and live to perform. After my mother’s death I became the guardian of my younger brothers and sisters. Death and parental responsibilities created an environment of endless struggle. Rock music became my way of expressing myself – very loudly. I taught myself to play guitar and kept on writing and letting it all out. Music was my antidote to insanity and crippling depression. I wrote myself into several production deals, including one with Eric Forster White and Lost Highway Records. I record a demo album a year whether or not anyone is listening. I’ve had several bands, and have played extensively in London, Florida and New York City; I was a regular at a few places that are no longer around – CBGS’S, The Bitter End, The Elbow Room, Shine, CB’s Gallery, and an ASCAP showcase at the Fez. I play several times a week wherever I am and I never stop writing. In 2006 I moved to Boulder Colorado to record an album at Immersive studios. I teamed up with a producer named Michael Verdick, who then put together an amazing group of musicians, including; Vinnie Colaiuta on drums; Paulinho Da Costa on percussions; David Darling on cello; Brandon Parnell on guitar; Chris Engleman on base; David Channing on guitar; Steve Vidaic on keyboards; Christian Teele on drums; Dave Beegle on guitar; Jans Ingber on percussions and backing vocals; Selina Albright on backing vocals and Hannah Alkire on cello. WHEW! So, with my album just completed I am looking forward to the next step in the right direction. I’ve just signed on with PMG Management and things are coming together. I’ve been fortunate to have some amazing people on my team and I look forward to this upcoming year