INTERVIEW: Know Your NYC Bands with Ivana XL
BeatCrave brings you artist, Ivana XL, as part of Know Your NYC Bands series. She may be compared to Cat Power but what’s most enchanting about Ivana is the nakedness of her voice. A little more folk than blues with a style reminiscent of the unusual Mirah, her voice manages to come off as as gentle and unyielding at the same time. Her lyrics are raw and honest as they can get and her soft-spoken lyrics can be heard miles away. Ivana XL is one of the few artists who can beautifully compose music that is stripped down to the core of every hidden feeling.
Constantly traveling with her mother as child, Ivana’s musical influences have helped her become the shy but eclectically talented songwriter she is today. Performing in the heart of Brooklyn, she is now influenced by a surplus of local talents but still manages to create her own niche of style.
Catch her at an upcoming show! Ivana XL performs at Cake Shop on December 29th and at Pianos on January 8th. If you make it, you can pick up her new EP, EP2. Until then, check out our exclusive interview with her below!
So many people are referring to the term, “gypsy,” when they describe you. How do you feel about this?
Obviously, I’m not an actual gypsy, but my mother and I moved around a whole lot when I was growing up just sort of for the hell of it. So we do have our weird little habits because of it, and if that’s being a gypsy in America these days then, hey.
Do you think it’s been easier to pick music influences up when you constantly travel as a child?
Well, kids are like sponges you know… I mean I would listen to whatever was playing. I just remember not liking country. (Now I LOVE country.) We spent a lot of time driving, so I liked a lot of stuff that was on the radio, and my mom listened to classical music so I liked a lot of that. We had a few tapes that we wore out or that melted from the sun.. Beach Boys, Pet Sounds, and I remember the Out Of Africa Soundtrack! I started searching for my own music when I was around 10 and buying my own tapes and CD’s around that time with allowance.. So yes, looking back I think I was exposed to a whole lot of music, and that it was always available and playing.
You do a cover of Carly Simon’s “Nobody Does It Better.” Where did that idea come from?
I was at work and the actual song started playing on the speakers and I was really FEELing it that day because I think I was getting out of a little something tough… So I thought I should record it in a different mood than how Carly Simon sang it in (happy), and sing it in the mood that was in (sad), then deliver it to my ex-guy. I thought this would be a very smart thing for me to do. Pure romance. It’s one of the sexiest love songs I’ve ever heard and I think it would be a hard one to get sick of singing.
How are you liking the music scene in NYC so far?
I’m loving it. It can be pretty overwhelming since there is SO much to wrap your head around. It’s impossible to give your full attention to a lot of this stuff deserves, It’s been awesome living and working here. My favorites right now are Shilpa Ray And Her Happy Hookers, She Keeps Bees, and Soft Black. They are all oozing talent and honesty.
Why did you choose XL as a suffix to your name?
It’s kind of a dumb story, but when I first moved to Brooklyn I went to a loft party.. (I used to go by “Ivana C” which I was using because nobody could pronounce my last name.) So my friend TK started going “Ivana Tinkle, Ivana drinkyobeer, Ivanaeatyourbrainforbreakfast..” Then he said, “Ivana XL!” It sounded very nice when I said it out loud, so I kept it. Thanks TK!
How do you feel when people compare you to Cat Power? It happens quite a bit.
I feel like people need to have some way of describing the sound of a band or singer. Like for example, I’d say “So And So band sounds like a mix of Blah and Blah blah.” But I would feel funny saying “Hey man! I sound like Cat Power!” That would just be weird, and also kind of false. We are two different people talking about our own personal experiences, you know? But I do love her music. I LOVE it, so I can only really take the comparison as a compliment.
More and more people are admiring songs with brevity. Do you plan writing shorter songs or does it just happen that way?
I’m glad! Yes it just happens. I always kind of went with the feeling that when I’m done with what I have to say, I should just stop talking, in a song and even in life – haha. But lately I have been more and more interested in the way people write songs, like as a craft, and there are certainly sounds and melodies that are more pleasing to peoples ears than others. It’s definitely something to explore. But I don’t think there should be a formula, and every song and moment are different, It’s important to just keep an open mind.
Do you play any other instruments besides the guitar?
I used to play the violin when I was a kid but now I only play the guitar. I tried playing my friend Magalis’ viola a couple months back and I was happy to find I could still play “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star”with such ease and grace. Great song. Also, I just bought a keyboard so that could be something.
You have a picture of a lion where it says “sounds like” on your myspace. Can you explain your choice of description there?
Oh, I just thought the picture was hilarious, I think it’s the lions face, his expression. I’m used to seeing them all bloody and roaring… But yes at the same time I guess it could symbolize my songs or even me in a way. I’m pretty shy and quiet, but it’s easy to just say and do whatever I want when it comes to music. I get to be in total control, and it can be a pretty powerful feeling. Where else can you really do anything at all except in your own head or on paper, or if you happen to be….. a LION.
Which artists influence you?
I think it’s a mix of a whole lot of things but my main three bands or artists that I think had the biggest effect are Pavement, Nirvana, and Guided By Voices – for all the reasons anyone adores and becomes obsessed with THEM.
Quick-Fire Round:
What song are you currently obsessed with at the moment?
“Pencil Skirt” by Pulp.
What book would you recommend to friends?
Cathedral by Raymond Carver.
Ice cream, gelato, sorbet, or yogurt?
Ice Cream.
What’s the one thing you’re proudest of owning?
My deskjet printer; I splurged.
Tell us one thing about yourself we probably don’t already know.
I love redheads.
Photography courtesy of Jonny Curtin
