Elka (singer)

Elka
Background information
Birth name	Yelyzaveta Valdemarivna Ivantsiv
Born	(1982-07-02) July 2, 1982 Uzhhorod, Ukrainian SSR, Soviet Union
Genres	Pop, R&B, dance
Occupation(s)	Singer, songwriter, producer
Instruments	Vocals
Years active	2004–present
Labels	Velvet Music (2010–present)
Website	www.elkasinger.ru

Ёлка, Elka or Yolka^[1](born as Yelyzaveta Valdemarivna Ivantsiv, Ukrainian: Єлизавета Вальдемарівна Іванців, on 2 July 1982) is a Ukrainian Russian language singer. Since 2010, she has lived in Moscow, Russia.

She started her musical career with the Uzhhorod group B&B. In 2004, she signed a contract with Vladislav Valov and released her successful debut album City of Deception (Город Обмана), which included the hits "Girl in the Peugeot" and "Good Mood". Subsequently, in collaboration with the shafts she released two albums: Shadows and This Magnificent World, neither of which were as successful as her debut album.

From 2010 to 2012, she was a judge on the popular Ukrainian version of The X Factor. In 2011, she gained great popularity with the song "Provence" and was nominated in three categories at the Muz-TV 2011. The fourth studio album from the singer, Points Apart, was popular amongst both critics and the public. The album received positive reviews from critics, who considered it the best pop album of 2011. Magazines such as Bill, Time Out and Interview Plate included it in their editorial lists for top albums of the year. The points are placed also topped the Russian rating album sales "2M. Russian Top 25". By the end of 2012, she was recognized as the most frequently heard performer on Russian radio stations.

Yolka is the three times winner of the Golden Gramophone Award (for the songs "Handsome Boy", "Provence" and "About You") and nominated for RMA channel MTV. In 2011, she was recognized as the Singer of the Year by Glamour magazine and among the ten most successful people in Ukrainian show business, according to the Focus magazine. In the same year she was named Singer of the Year at the ZD Awards, by the newspaper Moskovskij Komsomolets.

Biography

1982–2001: Childhood and youth

Yelyzaveta Ivantsiv was born July 2, 1982 in Uzhhorod. Initially studied in the Uzhhorod high school № 8, but graduated from school № 19. She was raised in a musical family. Her father was a jazz music collector and her mother was a musician, playing three instruments. Also, her grandparents sang in the Transcarpathian folk choir. Yelyzaveta sang in a school choir, then moved to the vocal circle the Palace of Pioneers. While studying at the school she participated in the school's KVN (Club of Fun and Quick-witted). It gained local popularity thanks to a KVN team of Uzhhorod students "Chamber No.6 " that in 2001–2003 was converted to the collective team of Uzhhorod and Vinnytsia. According to the singer, she did not invent her nickname intentionally. With eleven years it all came to be called a tree, after "one friend blurted out: "Yolka", someone else heard – and it was carried away". "I really do not respond to my real name since I was eleven. Even my mother calls me Yolochka (diminutive form). Only dad remembers everything and very inadequately reacts when friends forget my name. He immediately lists to them all vegetation of the Red Book, especially when they call at night" – told actress.^[2]

Elka came to the School of Music in vocal, but not finished. In her confession, she did not develop relationships with teachers : "I honestly tried to study at music college in vocal. But this venture failed. I had some trouble there with all the world and all with me . So after six months just dumped: " Let me quickly pasture until you yourself have not asked. In the mid −1990s, became part of the Christmas tree Uzhhorod group "B & B", where she performed as a backing vocalist

2001–2005: Early career and the album "City of deception"

In 2001, the group "B & B" performed at the International Festival Rap Music'01, where the Christmas tree is said Vlad shafts, leader of Bad Balance, who later became the first producer of the singer . After the band broke up and singer for some time did not appear on stage. At this time, she gave up the dream of becoming an artist and got a job as a waitress in a café. Three years later, a phone call from Yolka shafts. The singer said she thought long and hard, as if it play out, but after negotiations with Vlad, who sent her tickets to Moscow and suggested: " Come for a week, we will experiment ". Vlad shafts signed with fir tree and one of the first songs recorded with him was " you say the word " included in the collection " Girls attack ". In 2004, the tree acted in concert at the bottom of the memory of Micah, with his band, which also included two guitarists and DJ Lenar. At the concert, sang Christmas tree Micah " Amores Perros ." "It was a deliberate step . I just took it and sang this song. She was confined to the memory of Micah evening, I performed the song especially for his parents. Much, of course, there were plenty of rumors, but still more positive feedback . I do always focus on the fact that no commercial move, and tribute to the man, "- said later actress . Continuing cooperation with the shafts, the singer recorded a song of his work "City of deception." " Vlad looked at me, wrote the song" City of deception ", a song that is my reflection " – recalls the singer .The track was released to radio in the summer of 2004 and became the first hit Firs, hitting the charts radio "Maximum" and stayed there twelve weeks. November 9, 2005 debut album singer, titled " City of deception ". Work on the disc, released on the label 100PRO, was completed as early as mid-2005, and as a performer told, the record was written " in one go " .Elka presented in a different style of music, which applies to the rock ( due to the guitars ) and hip-hop ( because of the " polygonal " rhythms and Scratch ) . The singer described his style as " heavy guitar R & B". In NewsMusic.ru wrote that " Russia is a similar mix for the first time " . The album was met with different opinions . Rita Skeeter in InterMedia commended the work, saying: " Christmas tree and Gross found a way to make this genre R&B truly competitive even in our market with its national characteristics ". Andrew Nikitkina in Rap.ru wrote that the tree – it's still pop project, but "very high quality . Absorbed elements like r'n'b, and rock, reggae, pop and chanson . And is designed not so much to the fans of some of these styles as a wide audience ". Boris Drums in the newspaper "Kommersant" also talked about the singer, as the main hope of Russian pop music . In 2005, the Christmas tree has been nominated for the award RMA channel MTV, in the category " Best Rap ". Since the album was also released several singles, including the successful song " Girl in the Peugeot" and " good mood ", the latter of which reached 56 positions in the Russian radio charts .

2006–2009: albums "Shadows" and "This wonderful world"

In 2006, she released the single song " Girl – student ", which came on the 17th place in the Russian radio charts . October 19 the band released their second studio album Firs "Shadows". Elena Kuzmina Jamsession.ru wrote that the album continued the tradition of the first album and described mainly urban life .Ken Guru of NewsMusic.ru considered that the new album too poppy tree presented material and noted that he did not cause such a stir as the first. " Projected on a romantic teenage audience, Firs second album " Shadows " is unlikely to be the event of the year. But confirm that r'n'b- projects in Russia still live, and even collect chock full of tiny (but pretentious ) clubs – this album will ", – said the author. In March tree sounded a red cap in the Russian dubbed animated film " Hoodwinked". In 2007, the singer received the award "Golden Gramophone" for the song " handsome boy " .In April 2008 they released their third album Firs "This wonderful world ." New work called singer more relaxed and philosophical . " The first album was a pronounced tendency internal protest, struggle, pressing problems. And now I have tried to write a more peaceful album because it has come to the realization that many problems can be very smooth love " – told actress .In 2008 she was nominated for the award Muz-TV, in the category " Best Hip Hop Project ". In the same year, recorded with rapper Al Solo song together "Happiness" . The song was included in the experimental album of the singer " tree . Duets ", which included fifteen tracks recorded with artists of the Russian hip-hop / R & B scene .In September, was presented the first Ukrainian singer song called "Freedom ." On the radio "Course" assumed that the song was recorded in connection with the political changes in Ukraine. "This light and airy composition talk about freedom. Although it was written under the impression of not the most enjoyable singer accidents at home, "- wrote on the website of the" Course". In 2009, she released two new songs : "Dreams " and "Your words", the last of which was filmed video. The song was recorded for the fourth studio album Firs. Work on the fourth album initially conducted with gross, but after completion of the contract with a tree, collaboration was stopped and recorded the song " Your words " is not included in any album of the singer . The song "Dreams" was subsequently included in the fourth album, but under the name "I would be in your dreams ..." and in another arrangement.

2010–2011: changes in the work and the album "Point placed"

After the release of their third studio album in the works Firs began to change. Alexei smearing in InterMedia noted that the singer is deadlocked, but " give up " on it yet. Journalist advised her to expand the circle of authors and intoning in practice (" suitable for this purpose and masterpieces of world pop rock different years "). Denis Stupnikov in KM.ru wrote that actress heed this advice and in 2009 rock tribute Alla Pugacheva she performed the ballad "You have the world ", and a year later ended its contract with the producer Vlad Gross. After the Christmas tree began to work with Liana Meladze and Alyona Mikhailova of Velvet Music, and in 2010 became a judge on the show Ukrainian "X- Factor" . According to the artist, to the changes in her life prompted the interview she gave Alla Pugacheva year before the song "Provence" : A year before the " Provence " invited me to his radio transmitter "Allah" itself Pugacheva . And the conversation with her, along with several other important conversations, stimulated me cool . We Alla Borisovnoj spoke very sincerely ! I left with such an experience ! I told her that I have my own little niche, and I do not need more. She asks – and if I want to come to you at a concert where you invite me ? Or want to come to visit, where you call me ? And I was hurt . – Elka In the work of the singer is a " radical change ." If earlier Firs songs were performed in the styles of R & B and alternative rock, but now they have become more positive and in the style of pop. September 20, she released a new single, "Provence", written by a young Ukrainian author Yegor Solodovnikov . In early 2011, the song became a huge hit. New album of the singer described as reflecting its internal state . "Every actor, even with minimal creative ambitions, wants to be listened to and heard. For 29 years, I realized that to be a pop singer – this is not something that is not disgraceful, and a very cool " – told in an interview Tree " sound. Ru " . The success of " Provence " helped the singer get three nominations for the award Muz-TV 2011, in the categories of " Best Singer ", " Best Song " and " Best Video ". In June, the singer joined the list of the most successful show business in Ukraine for the season of 2010–2011, compiled by Ukrainian edition of "Focus" . Singer was placed on the tenth spot in the ranking . In 2011, were also released such successful singles as number one hits in the Russian radio charts " on the big balloon " and " About you." In September, the duo was presented trees and Pavel Volya – the song "The Boy ." October 1 Prize awards ceremony RU.TV, singer received the award in the category "Best Song" for the song "Provence". Fourth studio album of the singer " points apart " was released November 18, 2011 to " Yandex. Music ". Music critics praised the work, calling it one of the best pop albums of the year. In the same month, a Christmas tree was the " Singer of the Year " by the magazine Glamour, and on November 26 received its second award "Golden Gramophone" for the song "Provence" . In December, the Moscow magazine Time Out said of the singer and made her song "Provence" in your editorial "100 songs that changed our lives, " and the album " The points are placed " in a list of " 25 top albums of 2011". Magazine "Bill" also made " points apart " in their list of top albums editorial in 2011, in the category of "the soul of the Year" . Musical version of Interview magazine website made drive in the list of top albums of the year, in the category "Russian female pop ". Editorial music section Lenta.ru contributed the song " On the big balloon " in its list of the top songs of the year.

2012–2013: New album

In early 2012, there were reports that tree is going to release a new album in the middle of the year, although the previous album was released in November 2011. According to the singer, at that time she already had some new songs that she is going to record in the studio. In late January released video " Vladi " group member " caste ", the song " compose dreams," which starred tree. February 2, 2012 CD " points apart " Russian album chart headed " 2M . Russian Top 25 " . March 26, it became known that the singer is nominated in four categories – " Best Female ", " Best Album " (" Point placed "), " Best Song " ( "About You" ) and " Best Duet " ( with Paul Will ) ( "Boy ") – on Muz -TV 2012. By the end of premium Christmas tree received the award in the category " Best Female " .Due to the increased popularity of the performer, she had to give up participation in the television project "X- factor." In the third season Firs place at the judges' table took singer Irina Dubtsova . In the latest ranking of the most successful stars of Ukrainian show business publication "Focus" tree took 18th place : her income in Ukraine for the 2011–2012 season was about a half million dollars . April 20 was a concert singer in the new hall "North" sports complex "Olympic". During the concert, Christmas tree unveiled two new songs – " Above " and "I want" . The last of the tracks was released as a single, became the soundtrack for the movie " Love with a focus " and has received positive reviews in the press. September 21 opened a new tree autumn concert tour in Russia in Moscow club "16 tons" . Were also scheduled performances of the singer in the United States. In addition, as part of a recital Konstantin Meladze on "New Wave" tree Valery Meladze sang " In the middle of summer, ". At the award RU.TV 2012 Tree received the award for " Best Song " for the song "About You" . October 8 in the journal "Bill" was presented together trees and song group "Megapolis" : a cover version of a song by Alexander Sinitsyna " Stars, stars ." Composition, as well as four more songs were recorded in conjunction with the " Megalopolis" for the series "Fight" in which the singer played a cameo role . On December 4 the digital release of a new mini-album, " The quiet Concert", recorded at the Moscow concert singer in the concert hall "Mir". The album was released in the iTunes Store, the opening day of the Russian branch of an online store .In early 2013, rolling out the film " Gentlemen, good luck! " In which tree appeared a cameo in a cameo role and performed one of his songs . In the summer of 2013 introduced a new tree song "Body Ofigel ", which was soon shot clip . Soon she released as a single and the song " Above ", but under a new name – " Fly, Lisa" – and a clip on it . Together with rapper Noize MC sang " We do not understand", which was released on his album " Confusion " in October 2013. In August 2013, the rapper with Elka Heat recorded the song "New World" and soon removed her clip. As always, the closer to the new year, are invited to a Christmas tree award, Christmas Series, etc.

Concert group

Elka tours with constant composition musicians, whose members are also involved in the arrangement of her songs . At large recitals singer performs with the advanced team of musicians : guitarist, bassist, keyboardist, drummer, DJ and wind . Also involved in the speeches singer dance troupe Loonyband, whose creative team, led by Cathay Reshetnikova, engaged in registration stage, video, staging and dance numbers for concerts of Elka. Band previously included : Vladimir Vantsov (guitar), Kate Semenova (bass) and DJ Lenar . At this point consists of :

• Elka – vocals
• Leo Trofimov – keys
• Alexander Kulkov – drums
• Vlad Tsaler – bass
• Dmitry Tyuze – guitar
• Oleg Ostapchuk - saxophone, flute
• Konstantin Kulikov – trumpet
• DJ Lenar – DJ
• Alexander Perfilyev – sound

Family

• Father – Waldemar Myronovych Ivantsiv
• Mother – Marina E. Ivantsiv
• Husband – Sergey Astakhov

With her future husband Lisa Ivantsiiv met in the early 1990s at the resort Carolino Buhaz (in Zatoka) near Odessa. After the wedding, held in 2010, the singer lived with her husband in his parents' house in Hotkovo ( Moscow region, 14 km from Sergiev Posad ). As of 2014 the singer and her husband live in a rented apartment in Moscow, complete construction of a three-story cottage at Cook Street in Sergiev Posad ( in the city center, close to St. Nicholas Church ).

Filmography

• 2005 – Hoodwinked! – Red Riding Hood (Anne Hathaway) dubbing
• 2012 – Gentlemen of Fortune! – cameo, star at corporate
• 2012 – Scramble (film)
• 2013 – SashaTanya – cameo (5 series)
• 2013 – That's love

Discography

Albums

• City deception (2005)
• Shadows (2006)
• This magnificent world (2008)
• Point Apart (2011)
• Live concert (2013)
• Neby (2015)

Songs

• "City of deception" (2005)
• " Girl in the Peugeot" (2005)
• "Good mood" (2005)
• "I Want to Be a Movie Star" ( 2005)
• "Two Roses" (2006)
• "Girl – student" (2006)
• "Terror" (2006)
• "Flood" (2006)
• "Mountains" (2006)
• "Handsome Boy" (2007)
• "Point – City" (2007)
• "Do not lose heart" (2008)
• "Good Morning" (2008)
• "Your Words" (2009)
• "Dreams" (2009)
• "Provence" (2010)
• "The large balloon" (2011)
• "Boy" (with Paul Will) (2011)
• "About You" (2011)
• "Chain Feeds" (2012)
• "I want" (2012)
• "Star Star" (with the band Megalopolis) (2012)
• "Body Ofigel" (2013)
• "The New World" (with the heat) (2013)
• "Fly, Liza" (2013)
• "We do not understand" (with Noize MC) (2013)
• "Do you know" (with Burito) (2014)

Charts

References

External links

• Official website
• "Elka – OFFICIAL GROUP" on Facebook
• Elka Singer on Twitter