Aiko (Czech singer)
Aiko | |
|---|---|
 Aiko in 2024 | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Alena Shirmanova-Kostebelova |
| Born | 26 December 1999 Moscow,Russia |
| Website | www |
| Musical career | |
| Origin | Karlovy Vary,Czech Republic |
| Occupations |
|
| Years active | 2015–present |
Alena Shirmanova-Kostebelova(Russian:Алёна Ширманова-Костебелова,pronounced[ɐˈlʲɵ.nəʂɨrˈma.nə.vəkə.stʲɪˈbʲe.lə.və];born 26 December 1991), known by her stage nameAiko,is a Russian-Czech singer and songwriter based inBrighton,England. She represented theCzech Republicin theEurovision Song Contest 2024with the song "Pedestal".
Early life
[edit]Alena Shirmanova-Kostebelova was born inMoscow,Russia. At the age of 5, she moved with her family toKarlovy Vary,Czech Republic.[1][2][3]
Career
[edit]In 2015, Shirmanova participated inseason 4of the reality talent showČesko Slovenská SuperStar.[1]She then moved to the United Kingdom to pursue a musical career, first settling in London and later inBrighton.Under the stage name Aiko, she released her debut self-titled album in 2018, followed byExpiration Datein 2020, when she released her first single "Hunt".[2]Her stage name originates from a combination of her love for Japanese culture and her childhood nickname 'Ajka'.[3]
She was the first Czech artist to feature on theTimes Squarescreens and the first Czech female to take part in theSpotifyEqual Campaign. She performed at theRock for People,ESNS,Metronome Prague,The Great Escape,Grape, Nouvelle Prague,Szigetand Waves Vienna festivals, as well as followingAlice Merton,Black Honey,Lauren Ruth Ward andTaminoin some of their tours as a supporting artist. Some of her songs were included in the TV showsTeen MomandLove Island.[2][4]
Aiko released her third albumFortune's Childon 13 October 2023. On 28 November 2023, she was announced as one of the contestants ofthe Czech national finalfor theEurovision Song Contest 2024,[5]competing with the song "Pedestal".On 13 December, it was revealed that she had won the selection.[6]At the event, she failed to qualify from the second semi-final, placing 11th out of 16 with 38 points.[7]
Personal Life
[edit]Aiko is currently in a relationship with Spanish drummer Kat Almagro, who participated in theEurovision Song Contest 2024forSan Marinoas a member ofMegara.[8][3][9]
Discography
[edit]Studio albums
[edit]| Title | Details |
|---|---|
| Expiration Date |
|
| Fortune's Child |
|
| Aikonic |
|
Extended plays
[edit]| Title | Details |
|---|---|
| Aiko |
|
Singles
[edit]As lead artist
[edit]| Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Album / EP | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LTU [14] | ||||
| "Hunt" | 2020 | — | Expiration Date | |
| "Power" | 2021 | — | Fortune's Child | |
| "Daughter of the Sun" | — | |||
| "Gemini" | — | |||
| "Alter Ego" | 2022 | — | Non-album singles | |
| "I Want to Be Perfect" | — | |||
| "Restless" (with Boy Jr.) |
— | Fortune's Child | ||
| "Instincts" | 2023 | — | Non-album single | |
| "Lucky Streak" | — | Fortune's Child | ||
| "Pedestal" | 49 | |||
| "White Flag" | 2024 | — | Aikonic | |
| "Hunger" (withTeya) |
— | |||
| "Regal" | — | Non-album single | ||
| "—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory. | ||||
As featured artist
[edit]| Single | Year | Album / EP |
|---|---|---|
| "Why Don't You" (Ivo Blahunek featuring Aiko) |
2023 | Non-album singles |
| "The Internet" (Noisy Pots featuring Aiko) | ||
| "Come Closer" (Tonya Gravesand Blanka Maderová featuring Teza and Aiko) |
References
[edit]- ^abSuperStar 2015 - III. casting - Alena Shirmanová(in Czech).TV Nova.16 September 2015.Archivedfrom the original on 13 December 2023.Retrieved13 December2023– viaYouTube.
- ^abc"Aiko (CZ)".Nouvelle Prague(in Czech). 22 October 2020.Archivedfrom the original on 14 December 2023.Retrieved14 December2023.
- ^abcAnthony B. (12 January 2023)."We Are The Night Part XIII: Aiko".Brno Daily.
- ^"Aiko".aikomakesmusic.com.Archivedfrom the original on 13 December 2023.Retrieved13 December2023.
- ^"Czechia finalists revealed ahead of ESCZ 2024".Eurovision.tv.European Broadcasting Union.28 November 2023.Archivedfrom the original on 1 December 2023.Retrieved28 November2023.
- ^"Aiko will represent Czechia at Eurovision 2024".Eurovision.tv.European Broadcasting Union. 13 December 2023.Archivedfrom the original on 13 December 2023.Retrieved13 December2023.
- ^Sturtridge, Isaac."REVEALED: The Eurovision 2024 semi-final and final jury/televote detailed voting results".ESCXTRA.Archivedfrom the original on 15 May 2024.Retrieved14 May2024.
- ^Daniel Hidalgo (16 May 2024)."Flechazo en Eurovisión: la batería de Megara y la representante de Chequia confirman su relación".Los Replicantes(in Spanish).
- ^@katalmagro (12 May 2024)."Nemo won the mic but... I have to say that I won the best of Eurovision".Twitter.
- ^"Expiration Date - Album by Aiko".Spotify.Retrieved5 July2024.
- ^"Fortune's Child - Album by Aiko".Spotify.Archivedfrom the original on 22 May 2024.Retrieved5 July2024.
- ^"AIKONIC - Album by Aiko".Spotify.Archivedfrom the original on 10 July 2024.Retrieved5 July2024.
- ^"AIKO - Album by Aiko".Spotify.Archivedfrom the original on 13 December 2023.Retrieved5 July2024.
- ^"2024 20-os savaitės klausomiausi (Top 100)"(in Lithuanian).AGATA.17 May 2024.Archivedfrom the original on 17 May 2024.Retrieved17 May2024.