IVORY NOIRE’S EPONYMOUS DEBUT ALBUM

Ivory Noire all began with the humbling friendship of David Shivers and James Leprettre at Belmont University in the fall of 2019. 

Ivory Noire is a Nashville-based band composed of Belmont students from Alabama (David Shivers), South Carolina (James Leprettre), New York (Matt Martirano), and Ohio (Isaac Mauldin). Each band member’s unique music inspirations - John Mayer, Led Zeppelin, Sufjan Stevens, Fleet Foxes, to Bon Iver - are showcased through an intricate blend of folk rock and compelling storytelling on their debut self-titled album. This album brings old school roots of rock into a refreshing blend of diverse folk. Borrowing the style of early Beatles love ballads on their track “Always on the Line” to the style of Bon Iver on the track “Julien,” the band uses a cross-pollination of several genres that is unique to Ivory Noire. 

Through the companionship between the bands songwriters - David Shivers and James Leprette - the two have established a type of Lennon/McCartney friendship. You could compare Shivers’ breathy vocals to Elliott Smith, and James’ silky tone to Justin Vernon of Bon Iver.  The two offer an authentic blend of colorful truth. These boys are wise beyond their years, taking advantage of their autonomy as young musicians. But, what makes this record even more impressive is that the band recorded most of the record in lead guitarist and songwriter David Shiver's dorm room at Belmont University. 

The entire record was written and recorded over the span of three months. Given the limitations of the space, the boys took ahold of that freedom to make something completely unique. In an interview with the boys, James says, “As long as we set a goal, it seems to happen.”  They are ambitious, to say the least. 

The record is diverse yet versatile; no matter who you are, you can find something relatable on this record. Ivory Noire is all about defying stereotypes and standards that often set artists back from honing in on their originality. The consistency of their sound is that there’s nothing consistent at all. They’re taking the creative industry and bringing back the creativity that many artists struggle with because of the idea that there’s a framework that must be met. James and David want people to know that you don’t have to fit in. Ivory Noire does not shy away from honesty or authenticity.

“We didn’t want to hide anything; we wanted vulnerability”, says David Shivers. Part of this was achieved through the freedom of recording in a dorm room, and part of this was achieved by being honest and open in every single song. 

“The Separation Song”, the last track on the record, couldn't be more honest. “So don’t you try/to change my mind/Cuz’ I’m already set on leaving” sung by James, recounts the pain of trying to save something that’s already lost through conversational lyrics. He doesn’t sugarcoat anything. Yet, the starkness and honesty feels comforting and wholesome, because it’s relatable. It’s the truth. But, there’s also beauty in tyranny. James sings, “you are the light/at the end of a tunnel that’s caving in.” on the track “Tunnels.” They recount the hopeful and heartbreaking moments of love and loss, both juxtaposing the beautiful moments on “A Little in Love” with the sorrow in “The Garden.” These songs are emotional, personal to the band, yet leave space for the listener to create their own emotive landscape and listening experience. 

Whether you’re “A Little in Love”, experiencing loss, feeling nostalgic, longing for love, or reconciling love, there’s something that everyone can relate to on this album, and sing along to in the shower and in the car. “Julien” is David’s favorite song to sing in the shower. James admits to singing “Moonlight” in the car. 

You can look forward to new music and projects from Ivory Noire, maybe some that also defy the traditional stereotypes of a band. It’s safe to say that Ivory Noire is the face of a new generation of folk rock.