ABOUT ILIRA
ILIRA is a Swiss singer-songwriter whose path has been shaped by reinvention, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to self-expression.She has amassed over 1 billion global streams, earned multiple platinum and gold certifications, and held a #1 single on the German airplay charts for four consecutive weeks. Her live shows have taken her to stages like Lollapalooza, Montreux Jazz Festival, Gurtenfestival, and Wembley Stadium, where she performed in front of 80,000 people.She is an accomplished Swiss artist with an international track record — and a career that has taken her from a basement in Niederwangen to some of the biggest stages in the world.But her nomination for Best Talent at the 2025 Swiss Music Awards signals something even more powerful: the arrival of an artist who is no longer playing by anyone else’s rules.
FROM OUTSIDER TO OUTSPOKEN
Raised in a small town in Switzerland, ILIRA often felt like she didn’t belong — too bold, too emotional, too different.Music became her outlet. At 19, she uploaded a song she recorded in her basement to SoundCloud. That moment led to her first songwriting deal and a move to Berlin, launching a career that would span global collaborations, chart success, and a growing fanbase across Europe.She spent nearly a decade signed to major labels in Berlin and London, collaborating with artists like Tiësto, Sigala, and Galantis, and becoming one of the most-played female artists on German radio.But the image wasn’t always hers to control.
THE BREAKAWAY
In January 2024, at the height of her commercial career, ILIRA made a rare decision:She went fully independent.Leaving behind her label and management, she started over — with no team, no funding, and no infrastructure. Just her voice, her vision, and a fierce determination to create without compromise.Today, ILIRA writes, funds, and directs every aspect of her work — from music and visuals to campaign strategy. She’s building everything from the ground up, on her own terms.
A NEW ERA
ILIRA’s sound as an independent artist marks a bold shift from her polished pop roots.She now blends alternative pop, rock, and raw singer-songwriter storytelling.Her first indie release, “Floating with the Sharks” (Dec 6, 2024), is a stripped-back, emotionally sharp reflection on the toxic dynamics she experienced in the music industry.Her follow-up, “Truman Show” (April 25, 2025), is a gritty alt-rock anthem for misfits, overfeelers, and non-conformists — a cinematic cry for authenticity in a performative world.These singles are part of a concept EP currently in development, mapping her personal arc — from disillusionment and burnout, through heartbreak, chronic illness, and creative rebirth.
LIVING UNMASKED
For the past five years, ILIRA has been quietly battling chronic illness, often performing through pain and exhaustion.Diagnosed with autism and ADHD as an adult, she now speaks openly about neurodivergence and the emotional intensity she once felt pressured to hide.Instead of suppressing those parts of herself, she’s turning them into her greatest creative force.
WHY IT MATTERSW
hether backed by a full band or performing stripped to the essentials, ILIRA’s presence is emotionally charged and unmistakably real.Her 4-octave vocal range, lyrical precision, and fearless stage energy make her one of the most distinctive voices of her generation — not because she followed the rules, but because she had the strength to rewrite them.Her Best Talent nomination is more than recognition.It’s a reflection of an artist who gave everything up, started again with nothing, and continues to lead — not by image, but by integrity.