Ilia

Ilia was an American Christian rock group from Pine Bluff, Arkansas. The band consisted of Suzy Martinez (lead vocals), Jessica Patterson (drums) and Justin Patterson (guitar). Ilia formed under the name Relentless Pursuit in 2003. When the original band dissolved, some of the members formed a new band while attending Visible School (located in Memphis, Tennessee). The band began touring full-time in 2007 and garnered praise from numerous outlets, including being named the #2 Unsigned Band in HM Magazine's Readers' Poll 3 years in a row-2008, 2009, 2010 and placing #6 on CCM Magazine's list of Best Hard Rock Bands of 2007. They had five national charting radio singles "Last Night", "Portrait of a Lying Heart", "Wake The Dead", "We Were Shipwrecks" (#2 Billboard Christian Rock Chart-August 27, 2011), and "Ezekiel" (#8 Billboard). In April 2009, co-founder and rhythm guitarist Lindsey Armstrong (née Pierce) left the group in order to minister with her husband. The band then went on a year-long hiatus. Brittney Mosher joined the band in early 2010, originally to fill in Lindsey's spot as guitarist. As the band was contemplating touring but still needing a vocalist, Brittney filled in. After the first tour run, the band decided to keep Brittney on both vocals and guitar. The band released an independent EP, We Were Shipwrecks, in the summer of 2011 to moderate success, with "We Were Shipwrecks," hitting #2 on the Billboard Christian Rock Chart and "Ezekiel" hitting #8.