Art and music have always played defining roles in Illica's life. She followed her father as he spent time as an artist-in-residence in places like Roswell, New Mexico, Honolulu, Hawaii and Marina di Massa, Italy, among others. Groomed for music school by her piano teacher, Illica chose art/design school instead; her career in advertising developed her keen interest in storytelling that has blossomed into well-crafted songwriting.

Illica moved to New York in 2000 and began work as a designer at the Guggenheim but left after two years in the wake of 9/11. She spent the next year learning guitar and writing songs. In 2002, she met fellow songwriter and guitarist Mark Yoshiyama in Costa Rica only to learn that he lived minutes away in Brooklyn. Illica and Mark spent the next few years writing songs and performing locally as The Reluctance but with Illica wanting more, they agreed to part musically in 2009. For the time being, they continue to work separately.

In 2010, her demos in hand, a well-known music lawyer in LA put Illica together with David Bianco (Bob Dylan, Tom Petty, Mick Jagger) who produced/engineered Queens & Kings. The new album furthers musical terrain pioneered by Chrissie Hynde and Lucinda Williams.

Illica's smart lyrics and unique vocals create a compelling sonic canvas. She delivers on an emotionally diverse set of subjects - unrequited love, addiction, indifferent lovers, the perils of celebrity and even baking biscuits.

Queens & Kings brings Illica’s life and art together into a musical mosaic of discerning images and passionate lyrics. She hopes you enjoy listening to it as much as she enjoyed making it.