Ira Losco
| Ira Losco | |
|---|---|
| Born | July 31, 1981 |
| Origin | Sliema, Malta |
| Genres | Indie, Rock, Alternative, Pop |
| Occupations | singer |
| Years active | 1998–present |
| Website | Official website |
Ira Losco (born 31 July 1981) is a Maltese singer. With a string Number 1 singles and albums, Ira Losco is one of the best selling artists in Malta. She competed for Malta in the Eurovision Song Contest 2002 with the song "7th Wonder" and finished second. Losco released several commercially-successful albums and singles and received wide recognition across Europe.
Career
Tiara
Ira Losco started her career fronting and co-writing original songs with college band, Tiara. They released a track called "Teleport Me" which can be found on the Green Label Collection CD, and an album called "Hi-Infidelity" in 2001, which included tracks like "Basketball" which was their biggest hit.
Eurovision 2002
Tiara split up a few months after Ira Losco represented her country in the Eurovision Song Contest 2002 which was held in Tallinn. She placed 2nd with the song 7th Wonder.[1][2] In 2003, she was chosen to perform the song called "Reaching Higher" which was the official song of the Xth Games of the Small States of Europe Malta 2003.
Gieh ir-Repubblika.
On 13 December 2008, a national holiday in Malta in remembrance of Malta becoming a Republic, Ira Losco was awarded a national medal for making Malta proud in the international music scene, whilst opening concerts for international stars, in front of audiences of 80,000 at a time. She has opened for Sir Elton John, Rod Stewart, Katie Melua, Mel C, Ronan Keating, German Superstars Tokio Hotel and Söhne Mannheims and many others. All these concerts where held in Europe.
Album Releases
Someone Else
In February 2004, Ira Losco released her first ever E.P. "Love me or Hate me>Who I Am." On April 19, 2004, Ira released her first studio album "Someone Else." Again she was song writing, just as she used to with her first band. The album boasted international song writers and Ira Losco's first Anthem "Love me or Hate me" which quickly also became a dance floor hit remixed by Mark u-Bahn and DJ Ruby. On June 28, 2004, Ira launched her second music video (after 7th Wonder) for the track "I'm In Love Again"[citation needed]
On January 28, 2005, Ira Losco released "Blends & Remixes of Someone Else" a first in its genre for Malta. It included remixes by Top DJ's including DJ Ruby, Miss Roberta & Joseph Armani of the tracks on the album "Someone Else." Following the release, songs like "Love me or Hate me" and "I'm in Love Again" became huge dance floor fillers.
Accident Prone
"Accident Prone" was Ira Losco's highest selling album. After her successful German Tour Ira Losco was peaking in her home territory and making a name for herself in international waters. "Accident Prone" was the album which re-confirmed Ira Losco as Malta's hottest exports.
With tracks such as "Accident Prone", power ballads "Waking up to the Light", "I don't wanna talk about it" and "Get out" the album was a huge success.
Her third album named "Accident Prone" was released on November 16, 2005. It included 9 brand new tracks, "Get Out!", "Everyday" and a release of Lisa Miskovsky's "Driving One Of Your Cars" which had only been released in the territory of Sweden and also won a Golden Bear. Song writers Dead Mono, who co-wrote "Every day" with Ira Losco suggested she also recorded "Driving One Of Your Cars" It topped the charts on the island and won a BMA for the Best Song that year. Out of the 9 tracks, "Everyday", "Get Out!", "Don't Wanna Talk About It", "Driving One Of Your Cars", "Accident Prone", "Uh-Oh", and "Waking Up To The Light", were released as singles. All of them received great airplay by local stations, particularly "Accident Prone"[citation needed] and "Uh-Oh"[citation needed].
Tracks written by Losco/Debono and international writers have made their way to Michelle Hunziker's (popular Italian presenter/model/ex-wife of Eros Ramazzotti) album 'Lole'. These tracks were 'Someone Else', 'Get Out', 'I'm in Love Again.' The prominent guitar riff on 'Uh-Oh' was also included in Kelly Clarkson's hit "Don't Waste Your Time." A very important achievement for Losco the songwriter.
Unmasked
"Unmasked" is Ira Losco's unplugged album, including acoustic version of some of her tracks, 2 brand new tracks, a cover version of Cyndi Lauper's "Time After Time", another of Soft Cell's "Bedsitter", and another of The Cure's "Lovesong". Following the release of this album Ira Losco performed the first ever Vodafone Music Jam concert to a sold out audience at the Hilton. The classy performance was of international standard and a band including session musicians Dru Mayer on percussion, Sammy hayman on piano and keys and JeanPaul Micallef Grimaud on Cello played Ira Losco's greatest hits and some very touching impressive cover versions.
Fortune Teller
In July 2007, Ira Losco released her single entitled "Something To Talk About" from her third studio album Fortune Teller, which was released on June 11, 2008. Following (in December 2007) was the release of the second single from Fortune Teller, "Don't Look Down"[citation needed],written by Adam Bonello H Keith and Ira Losco, hit number one for four weeks in the local charts. On 10 December 2007, "Living It..." was released in local cinemas and on DVD. It includes memorable Live performances, international collaborations,videos, never seen before backstage footage, a personal interview and exclusive new tracks off the album.
Mixed Beats
Ira's second remix album called Mixed Beats was launched in Malta on August 22, 2009. This remix album contains remixes of tracks from Ira Losco's previous albums: Fortune Teller, Unmasked: the unplugged album, and Accident Prone.
The Fire
After the release of the single 'What I'd Give' in August 2012, Ira Losco released her fourth album in March, 2013.
Other Albums
| Album information |
|---|
Hi-Infidelity (with Tiara)
|
Butterfly
|
| Compilations/Collaborations |
Green Label Collection CD
|
Eurovision Song Contest 2002
|
Ipokriti Soundtrack
|
Xth Games of the Small States of Europe Malta 2003
|
| Singing For Bay Kidz |
Roger Shah's Magic Island Compilation Vol.2
|
Openminded? - Roger Shah
|
Propulsion - Duo Blank
|
- DVD's
- 2007: Livin It...
Discography
Studio albums
|
Compilation albums
EPs
|
Modelling and Advertising
Ira Losco has been the face of Guess (clothing) in Malta since 2006,[3] filled in Heidi Klum's shoes for McDonald's Salad Plus in Malta.[4] She was also part of Vodafone's Music Jam Campaign.[5]
Awards and nominations
- 2002
Awards
Eurovision Song Contest 2002 - 7th Wonder – 2nd Place
- 2003
Awards & Nominations
Malta Music Awards 2003
- Best Image – Won
- Best Female Artist – Won
- Best CD Single - 7th Wonder – Nominee
- 2004
Awards & Nominations
Tune In's Battle Of The Babes
- Battle Of The Babes – Won
Bay Music Awards
- Best Solo Artist – Won
- Best Single – Nominee
- 2005
Bay Music Awards
- Best Solo Artist – Nominee
- Best Single - Everyday – Nominee
- Best Song Of All Time - Love Me Or Hate Me – Nominee
- 2006
- Bailey's Woman Of The Year Award – Won
- Best Live Act Award - Sole Festival – Won
- Award for Foreign Achievement - Sole Festival
Bay Music Awards
- Best Solo Artist – Won
- Best Single - Driving One Of Your Cars – Won
- Viewers' Choice Awards - Best Performance – Won
- 2007
Malta Music Awards
- Best Album - Accident Prone – Won
- Best Female Artist – Won
- Best Image – Nominee
- Best Video - Accident Prone' – Nominee
- Best Local Export' – Won
- Best Performance' – Nominee
Bay Music Awards
- Best Solo Artist' – Won
- 2008
Malta Music Awards
- Best Image' – Nominee
- Best Female Artist' – Won
- Best CD Cover' Fortune Teller Nominee
- Best Album' Fortune Teller Won
- Best Songwriter' Nominee
- Best Song (Idle Motion) Nominee
Bay Music Awards
- Best Solo Artist Nominee
- Best Song (Idle Motion) Won
- 2009
Malta Music Awards
- Best Remix' "What's The Matter With Your Cabrio?" (feat. DJ Ruby) Won
Malta Music Awards
- Best Website www.iralosco.com Won
Bay Music Awards
- Best Remix' "What's The Matter With Your Cabrio?" (feat. DJ Ruby) Won
References
- ↑ Bohlman, Philip V. (2004). The music of European nationalism. Santa Barbara, Calif.: ABC-CLIO. p. 2. ISBN 978-1-57607-270-7. Retrieved 6 February 2011.
- ↑ "Eurovision Song Contest 2002". European Broadcasting Union. Retrieved 6 February 2011.
- ↑ http://www.behance.net/gallery/Guess-Jeans-2009/379427
- ↑ http://www.independent.com.mt/articles/2006-05-18/news/mcdonalds-teams-up-with-ira-losco-for-its-salads-plus-launch-91519/
- ↑ http://www.independent.casasoft-dev.com/articles/2007-02-17/news/ira-launches-the-vodafone-music-jam-169243/
External links
| Awards and achievements | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Fabrizio Faniello with "Another Summer Night" |
Malta in the Eurovision Song Contest 2002 |
Succeeded by Lynn Chircop with "To Dream Again" |
|