Nest's fresh, seductive sound has been often compared to Fiona Apple, Portishead, and Imogen Heap. Ayana's vibrant, haunting voice is the vehicle for solid songwriting and intensely honest lyrics which set up an intimate conversation between artist and listener. The songs combine captivating melodies with lush soundscapes constructed from both acoustic and electronic instruments, reflecting influences such as Radiohead, Jeff Buckley, and The Postal Service. Visionary, artful, bittersweet, and lyrical, Nest's songs encompass an extraordinary expressive range, conveying naked emotion, integrity and passion. Ivan (piano and keyboards) and Ayana wrote songs together for years before meeting the rest of the band; they met in high school in Los Angeles and continued their collaboration at UC Berkeley. Now the addition of guitars (with lots of effects) by Greg Pajer and a kick-a** female rhythm section (bass by Smadar Galor, drums by Karen Teperberg) have deepened the fresh, seductive, and hauntingly pretty sound. Ivan's home computer has remained a crucial instrument for composition purposes and has helped to add some electronic elements, even while the music stays fundamentally rooted in strong melodies and traditional pop song structures. Nest has lately attracted a steady following with powerful performances at such Los Angeles institutions as The Mint, Molly Malone's, and the Hotel Cafe, and with radio play on Indie 103.1 FM and regional college stations. They've recently attracted quite a lot of buzz on indie-music blogs, including the popular Gorilla vs Bear and Motel de Moka. Their self-titled debut EP came out in December 2005. The first track, "Ultraviolet," has been recently chosen to be featured in the new Fox TV show "Desire: Table for Three," and several other songs will soon be heard on MTV's "My Super Sweet Sixteen." Here's what the indie kids have had to say about the Nest EP: “Delivers an excellent mix of trip hop’s ethereal ambience and rock’s sexual angst.” Motel de Moka, mookamotel.blogspot.com, January 24, 2006 “Great music with lovely vocals.” Pixelsurgeon Daily News, www.pixelsurgeon.com, February 27, 2006 “Indie pop, trip-hop, and electronic rock result in an ethereal melody that haunts in a seductive manner… tender and poignant.” Smother Magazine: Editor’s Pick, www.smother.net, February 23, 2006 “Amazingly beautiful songs… melodic and honest.” Indie Don’t Dance, indiedontdance.blogspot.com, November 8, 2005 “Ethereal, complicated and polished, this LA band is carving out its own niche as smart alternative rock.” LAist “Essential Listening”, www.laist.com, December 4, 2005 “So you’re showing off your new apartment. She’s impressed with the decor, the bookshelves, the candles. You’re looking for that cool, sorta romantic chill out music...hmmm what will she like? Sarah McLaughlin, nah, too H&M soundtrack. Beth Orton? Nah, too folksy. Beth Gibbons? A little bit of a downer. And since you’re a little indie rock, you go with Nest. Nest? you think. Absolutely. Sensuous vocals, check. Melodic guitar and keys, check. Tight rhythm, check. This will work.” This Twilight Garden, thistwilightgarden.blogspot.com, November 11, 2005 “I was consumed last night by some tracks from Nest… I think the word that would best describe Nest frontwoman Ayana’s voice would be ‘sultry’, or maybe ‘sensuous’… I recommend Nest for fans of Fiona, Cat Power, and Imogen Heap.” Gorilla vs. Bear, gorillavsbear.net, January 10, 2006 “Combines minimal electronics, instrumental flourishes, and beautiful vocals to create a very lush & relaxing sound. If you are a fan of Cat Power, Fiona Apple, or Frou Frou I highly recommend checking them out.” Funtime OK, funtimeok.blogspot.com, January 17, 2006 “A new and fresh alternative band… reminds me of Alanis, but more collected and without the acidic edge.” Hug Robot Radio, hugrobot.blogspot.com, January 30, 2006 “Nest is led by the sultry and sexy voice of Ayana Haviv. The comparisons to Fiona Apple & Dido are noticeable in Ayana’s voice, & their ethereal melodic rock makes for a great Saturday afternoon album.” Veritas Lux Mea, thetruthenlightensme.blogspot.com, January 10, 2006 “The subtle and moody musical backdrops serve to spotlight singer Ayana’s highly evocative voice.” A Plague of Angels, plagueofangels.blogspot.com, January 13, 2006 Vocals: Ayana Piano and keyboards: Ivan Puchalt Guitar: Greg Pajer Bass: Smadar Galor Drums: Karen Teperberg