Sevdaliza

Sevdaliza is the stage name of Sevda Alizadeh, an Iranian-Dutch singer, songwriter and producer from Tehran who is based in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. Born in 1987, she is a Dutch singer-producer associated with alternative R&B, art pop, avant-garde pop, dance, EDM, electronic music and trip hop.

Background

Before moving into music, Sevdaliza is a professional basketball player. She leaves home at 16 on a basketball scholarship and plays for the Dutch national team. She later continues with basketball and her studies before starting to make music at 24. She is not trained to read music or play instruments, and teaches herself singing and Ableton, drawing on the discipline developed through sport.

Music and releases

Her sound is described through a mix of trip hop, experimental pop and alternative R&B, with influences from other styles. Her debut EP, The Suspended Kid, is released in 2015. It is followed by Children of Silk, a second EP released on Twisted Elegance, the label also listed as her record label. That release takes a more conceptual approach and has darker self-reflective themes. In 2017 she releases her debut album, ISON, which includes 16 tracks and brings together earlier songs such as “Marilyn Monroe” and “Amandine Insensible” alongside new material.

Visual work and collaborations

Sevdaliza’s music videos attract attention for their visual style. Her video for “Sirens of the Caspian” is nominated by Complex as one of the year’s top ten videos in 2014. She works with Pussykrew on an elaborate video for “That Other Girl” and provides vocals on Paris-based producer Stwo’s track “Haunted”. She also co-directs and stars in the short film The Formula, which features an original soundtrack by Sevdaliza and frequent collaborator Mucky.

The video for “Marilyn Monroe”, directed by Hirad Sab, is released in 2016 and the same director also designs the cover artwork for the EP. The track receives critical attention and appears on year-end best-of lists, including one from FACT. Her album ISON features cover art based on a hyperrealistic sculpture of Sevdaliza by Sarah Sitkin.

Public profile

Her work is featured by international fashion and music outlets, including Vogue, and she is also associated with Alexander Wang. H&M makes her a brand ambassador. Sevdaliza describes her music as “raw, strong, and vulnerable”, and says her stage persona is designed to be whatever the audience wants her to be.