Soviet Georgian-born Kate Melua moved to Northern Ireland with her parents before settling in the UK to study music. In 2003, composer and producer Mike Batt released her lauded debut, Call Off the Search. An unexpected but welcomed success, the album was closely followed by Piece by Piece (2005) and Pictures (2007). The singer made her North-American concert debut at the Festival in 2008, during which she also participated in a Leonard Cohen tribute. The House, produced by William Orbit, was released in 2010.