Iiris

Iiris Vesik (born 16 July 1991), better known as simply 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]

Iiris
Iiris performing at Iceland Airwaves 2011.
Background information
Birth nameIiris Vesik
Born (1991-07-16) 16 July 1991
Tallinn, Estonia
Genres
Occupation(s)
  • Singer
  • songwriter
  • actress
Instruments
  • Vocals
  • piano
  • flute
Years active2003–present
LabelsUniversal Music Finland
Websiteiirismusic.com

Life and career

Early life

Vesik began attending Jakob Westholmi Gümnaasium in 1998, and later graduated in 2010.[3] She has a younger brother and two younger half-sisters.[4]

She began her music career after placing third in the Estonian singing competition Tähtede laul in 2003.[5] Vesik went on to place third again in the televised Estonian singing competition Kaks Takti Ette in 2007.

Music career

Vesik has competed to represent Estonia in the Eurovision Song Contest on three 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 Cartoon, Kerli & Kristel Aaslaid she was one of the writers for "Immortality" performed by Cartoon and Kristel Aaslaid at Eesti Laul 2016.[9] She competed with Agoh in Eesti Laul 2018 with the song “Drop That Boogie” and placed 5th in the final.[10]

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 was signed to EMI Finland in June 2011.[11] Her debut album The Magic Gift Box, produced by Ago Teppand (a.k.a. Sethh),[12] was released on 28 March 2012.[13][14]

Iiris is often compared to Estonian pop singer Kerli, and they are both fans of each other.[15]

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.

Discography
Studio albums
EPs
Singles
  • "Ice-Cold Story" (Audiosus, 2007)
  • "Alien" (Rockhouse, 2008)
  • "Astronaut" (Sethh Sound, 2010)
  • "Melyse" (EMI Music Finland, 2011)
  • "Weirdo" (EMI Music Finland, 2012)
  • "Tigerhead" (Universal Music Finland, 2013)
  • "Iiridescent Love" (Hand In Hive U.K, 2015)
  • "Hope" (Dreamweaver, 2016)
  • "Stranger" (Dreamweaver, 2017)

Awards and nominations
Year Nominee / 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
gollark: It doesn't even have fixed per-column types, exactly.
gollark: SQLite is able to make it work *fine* with entirely variably sized everything.
gollark: Performance is for people who care about performance.
gollark: I don't like fixing the maximum size of things like that, since what if the path is somehow LONGER than that? WHAT THEN‽
gollark: And copying p[EXPUNGED] constantly would be irritating.

References
  1. Leivak, Verni (9 Feb 2008). "Iiris otsib spunki". Postimees (in Estonian). Archived from the original on 13 February 2013. Retrieved 31 March 2012.
  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. Archived from the original on 17 December 2010. Retrieved 31 March 2012.
  4. Kapstas, Meelis (11 December 2007). "Pisike Björk ehk midagi head" (in Estonian). NaisteMaailm. Archived from the original on 16 December 2010. Retrieved 31 March 2012.
  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. "Räppi, poppi ja klassikat: Eesti Laul 2018 poolfinalistid on selgunud!". menu.err.ee. Eesti Laul. 10 November 2017. Retrieved 11 November 2017.
  11. Aasma, Kristin, ed. (21 March 2012). "Plaadifirma EMI annab välja Iirise esikalbumi "The Magic Gift Box"". Õhtuleht (in Estonian). Retrieved 30 March 2012.
  12. Nestor, Siim (29 March 2012). "Blond kutt Iirise kõrval". Eesti Ekspress (in Estonian).
  13. Tooming, Rando (24 March 2012). "Iiris Vesik: olen vaid kanal, mis valmis laulud maailma toob". Õhtuleht. Retrieved 30 March 2012.
  14. "Lõpuks! Täna ilmus Iirise debüütalbum "The Magic Gift Box"" (in Estonian). Delfi. 28 March 2012. Retrieved 30 March 2012.
  15. Veski, Rivo (19 December 2011). "Iiris ja Kerli fännavad teineteist juba pikemat aega" (in Estonian). elu24. Retrieved 31 March 2012.
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