The Ivy goes 1-on-1 with Unheard Gems |Interview

It's a special moment when you discover a band that just gets it—the kind of music that wraps around your heart and soundtrack your most cinematic moments. That’s exactly how we felt the first time we heard The Ivy.

The Tulsa-born indie-pop duo has been steadily building a name for themselves with dreamy synths, anthemic choruses, and a vibe that hits somewhere between late-night nostalgia and future-forward cool. Whether you're dancing alone in your room or reflecting on a past love, their music knows how to meet you exactly where you are.

We caught up with The Ivy to talk creative process, musical evolution, and how they’ve stayed grounded while growing their sound. This is one band you’ll want to keep on repeat.

Unheard Gems: Hey guys! So excited to have you here. How’s life been treating you lately? Any fun stories from the past few weeks?

Shawn: Nothing too crazy, just prepping for tour, eating healthy, and, oh, Wyatt's hand stopped working 5 days before tour... but don't worry, we're still persevering with the tour! 

Unheard Gems: Your music has such a nostalgic yet fresh feel—like it transports you somewhere else. How did you land on The Ivy’s signature sound?

Shawn: I like when people use the word “nostalgic” to describe our music. Every song takes on a style of its own, and it’s really just what we think sounds good the day we’re working on it. I think that allows us to have a unique sound for each song, while at the same time sticking true to those elements of indie pop that makes us sound like us. 

Unheard Gems: You’ve built such a dedicated fan base over the years. What do you think has been the biggest factor in connecting with people through your music?

Shawn: I think continuing to release music that we feel strongly about and is true to us, will always resonate with the audience we’ve built. 

Unheard Gems: Music has a way of evoking powerful emotions and memories. When listeners hear your songs, what emotions or messages do you hope they take away from it?

Shawn: We hope each listener is able to hear the heart behind the songs we write. Personally, music that feels like it's from a specific world that you can really feel always has the biggest impact on me. 

Unheard Gems: Touring and performing live can be such a wild experience. Do you have a favorite show or a dream venue you’d love to play?

Shawn: I've always dreamed of performing at the O2 in London! Touring is full of crazy moments, but one of the wildest had to be when we accidentally hit an elk with our van while driving through New Mexico. Thankfully, both we and the elk were okay—but it was definitely a crazy experience.

Unheard Gems: Social media has totally changed the way artists interact with their fans. How do you guys approach staying engaged while keeping things authentic?

Shawn: One thing we focus on is bringing people into our process—showing the behind-the-scenes moments and taking them along for the day-to-day journey.

Unheard Gems: The industry is always evolving, and staying inspired is key. How do you stay motivated and continue pushing your creative boundaries?

Shawn: We try to stay inspired by the music we listen to and let the industry just do its thing. I think working on new stuff and just letting the idea flow allows us to keep pushing creative boundaries and trying new things. 

 Unheard Gems: What’s been the most unexpected or surreal moment in your career so far? Something that made you step back and go, ‘Whoa, this is really happening’?

Shawn: There was a moment when Wyatt and I found ourselves sitting in the office of the President of Sony EU. I literally turned to him and said, "How did we get here??" It was a pretty surreal moment! 

Unheard Gems: Behind every great track is often a producer or songwriter who leaves their mark. Are there any producers or songwriters whose work you really admire?

Shawn: Yeah! Two of our favorite producers are A.G. Cook and Adam Thein.

Unheard Gems: We’re always looking for fresh talent to spotlight! Who are some ‘unheard gems’ you think deserve more attention right now?

Shawn: Our current favorites are the band Wishy and our friend from Oklahoma City’s project, Husbands.

 Unheard Gems: What’s on the horizon for The Ivy? Can we expect new music or more tour dates soon?

Shawn:  Yes! We are always working on new music, so definitely stick around for this year 👀

Interview by Hannah Schneider

Photography by Shantell Cruz