Model turned singer, Chocolat made her debut in May of 1997 with mini-album, Chocolat A La Mode. She uses a rich variety of songwriters/ producers that bring elements of jazz, '80s new wave, sixties girl group pop, psychedelia, and guitar-rock to her overall clean pop sound. Add her crisp, treble drenched vocals over the top, and you're left with songs that are distinctly Chocolat. Beginning with cute indie-esque tracks like "Blue mint blue" and "Like a Starberry," she has since ventured into more mature territory as demonstrated on subsequent albums like Hamster and Henry. Chocolat is currently putting the finishing touches on her latest album, Chocolate Notes, due out in October of 2003.
Of the 11 tracks featured on Chocolat's Henry album, four were written by Andy Chase, songwriter/ guitarist of New York-based trio IVY. As self-described purveyors of "smart, elegant, and bittersweet pop," IVY are one of the few American bands whom you can trust to deliver first-rate albums- strong from start to finish. Their skill lies in creating simple, refined pop songs that create a cozy atmosphere and a melancholic mood. However, the careful attention paid to the songwriting process keeps each IVY track diverse and wonderfully melodic. IVY are also in the midst of recording a new album, while Andy recently released a solo album under the name, Brookville.