Kiesza

Born in Calgary, Canada, in 1989, Kiesa Rae Ellestad, known as Kiesza, followed an unconventional path—spanning dance, service in the Canadian Navy and musical training—before turning to electronic pop. Based between Canada, London and New York, Kiesza honed a style that blends 1990s-inspired house, catchy pop hooks and R&B touches, firmly rooted in club culture. The 2014 single “Hideaway” brought her international attention and led to her debut album Sound of a Woman the same year, which combines synth-driven ballads and dance-focused tracks. At the same time she wrote for other artists and collaborated widely across the electro and pop scenes, including with Jack Ü and Duran Duran, strengthening her presence on European and North American stages. After a serious car accident in 2017 she suspended activities for several years, then gradually resumed writing and recording, culminating in the 2020 album Crave, noted for a more introspective production while retaining direct pop structures and dancefloor-ready rhythms.