Completely unaware of what a “mosh pit“ was, IO (formally known as AYO) remembers being told “you’re turning worship into a mosh pit”, at church. She looked up the definition of “mosh pit” and her eyes were opened up to a new world. Restricted from listening to music outside of gospel, sneaking in moments of reaching for ambient sounds, anthemic melodies and groovy foundations, The Washington DC-based artist grew up thinking “Christian Rock” music was the “real thing”. Not realizing that Rock and Roll had millions of people in tears with hands pumping in the air as they listened and gathered in stadiums, arenas and other venues since the 60s. The Beatles, U2, Tina Turner, Coldplay, Tracy Chapman, each with a variation of rock and folk that drew in audiences for their raw talent and storytelling. IO would shortly after discover that her love for CCM came from the feeling and history of Rock, EDM and Folk Music. That was the moment the album (named after Jupiter's largest moon) IO, was born.
A singer-songwriter whose range has been praised by the likes of Andra Day featured on HBO at the Apollo. IO’s journey began through music in the South as a worship leader in Gospel Music, leading her to be featured on BET’s Sunday Best. Shortly after, she became a student of Jazz music in Washington DC at Howard University. The singer’s love of Classic Rock, Funk and Pop are heard in every performance she delivers. Most recently, she has sold out every show she has presented during her travels throughout Europe, with lines of people waiting to find spare tickets the day of. As a victim of abuse, IO chooses to channel her electric stage presence and storytelling through performing songs that reflect freedom, rage and the vast spectrum of emotions evoked from the human experience. At her core, the DC-based singer embodies the act of coming home to yourself.