Ivy Lies

Ivy Lies is an all-female New Zealand band. They are best known for their hit single "Addicted". Band members are Emla Palmer (lead vocals/rhythm guitar), Lisa Blatchford (bass/vocals), Rosie O'Connell (drums) and Mihka Chee (lead guitar/vocals). In 2006 when Emla, Lisa and Rosie were 17 years old they decided to form a band called "Starlett" in their hometown of Christchurch. The band caught lots of attention by performing at bars in their area which led to a record deal with SonyBMG.

In 2006 when Emla, Lisa and Rosie were 17 years old they decided to form a band called "Starlett" in their hometown of Christchurch. The band caught lots of attention by performing at bars in their area which led to a record deal with SonyBMG. At the time the girls released two singles, "What I Had?, which went straight to a Top 5 Radio hit and "Let It Go?, which placed at number 15.

In 2008 the girls relocated to Auckland to hit the live circuit and integrate themselves in the local music scene. This is where they met Mihka through a mutual friend and changed the band name to Ivy Lies.

Speaking about band formation, Emla declared in an interview: "Lisa and I have known each other since we were about 2 years old. We grew up together & both wanted to be musicians. Lisa and Rosie were friends at high school and wanted to start a band, so Lisa introduced me. We started a band under the name 'Starlett' and it became something we loved doing - just hanging out in the music room at school & playing music. We met Mihka when we moved to Auckland about 2 years ago and instantly fell in love with her musical abilities and awesome ideas; together we became Ivy Lies."

Emla also justified the change of the band's name: "Starlett was a bit of an immature name, we had it when we were 16, and I think (hope) we have grown up a bit since then. Ivy Lies is still feminine but a lot stronger sounding, there isn't really a very interesting story behind it, maybe we should make something up".

The girls grew up listening to all kinds of music from Gene Pitney, Neil Young, The Pogues, Neil Diamond & Willie Nelson, Buddy Holly (in Emla's case), but also Motown, Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston and Mariah Carey (Mihka). At present, among their favourite artists are Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, White Lies, The Veils, Against Me, Sparta, Alice In Chains (Emla) and Paramore, Ladyhawke, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Tegan, Sara (Mihka).

In September 2009, after meeting with new management, the band was quickly offered the opportunity to head straight over to Los Angeles to record their album, with famed producer Clif Magness and also recording in Bob Clearmountains Studio (where the likes of Bruce Springsteen, Bryan Adams, Robbie Williams, Bon Jovi, Sheryl Crow have all recorded). Clif, a Grammy Award winning producer, has also worked with Avril Lavigne, Lisa Marie Presley, The Veronicas and Vanessa Amorosi to name a few.

?Addicted? is their first single from their 2010 debut album. The single was released in December 2009 and went to number 20 on RIANZ (the New Zealand charts). "Addicted" also went to number one for artist and video on the Myspace music charts for December 2009.

In January 2010, they played a series of open air concerts in New Zealand as part of the Bands on the Beach tour. The band also played on the radio station The Edge's Sausage Fest 2010, along with acts such as Midnight Youth, Dane Rumble and David Dallas. The single Never Enough was officially released on iTunes on 12 April 2010. The music video premiered on New Zealand television on 16th of April on the C4 music channel. Their latest single "I Lie Awake" was released on iTunes on 16 August 2010. They will also be supporting You Me At Six on their concert in Auckland on September 21 2010.

The power of the band is evident with their combination of pop/anthem rock songs. From the moment you hear Ivy Lies's music, you are hooked, as their tracks resonate down the radio waves and these gorgeous girls are beamed onto your television screens.