Aleesha Rome, known later in her career as Ivy York, was an Australian pop singer born in Adelaide in 1981. From a young age, she participated in karaoke competitions and began singing lessons at 12. At 17, she moved to Sydney where she worked as a receptionist while pursuing her music career. Her breakthrough came when she responded to a "Singer Wanted" ad with one of her karaoke tapes, leading to a recording contract with Albert Music. Her debut single "One of Us Has Changed" was released in 1999, followed by "Search My Heaven", which peaked at number 20 on the ARIA Singles Chart in November 1999. Aleesha Rome's self-titled debut album Aleesha Rome was released on March 27, 2000, via AMC/EMI Music Australia. The album featured collaborations with Barry Andrews and Sam Horsburgh. In late 2001, she relocated to London where she began composing her own songs under the name Ivy York. Her second solo album The Call of Spring, was released in April 2010 under Rough Trade Records. However, she retired from performing in 2010 due to spasmodic dysphonia, a condition affecting her vocal cords.