Elle
London based producer, vocalist and visual artist E L L E releases the highly-anticipated EP 'MOUTH' this summer. This unique body of work has been created by E L L E over the last 2 years and is meticulously crafted and includes expertly produced tracks, which take a diverse and somewhat unconventional range of inspirations including the natural world, chainsaws, acid techno, hardstyle, love and more.
Travelling worldwide via Tokyo and Toulouse E L L E has always been equipped with a laptop, mic and headphones to which she has found her niche. 'MOUTH' is a shining example of her genuine talent, creativity and authenticity; bringing a much-needed injection of the avant-garde into the current landscape. This body of work shortly follows the release of the dreamlike, Memphis rap tinged single ‘Yowl’ which has now gained over 2k listens on Spotify and included a 3D embellishment from Balfua in the video, blending fantasy and reality in the forest like setting.
E L L E's music has forever been creatively affected and inspired by Aphex Twin, Three 6 Mafia and Kanye West. E L L E also pulls ideologies from nature, video games, Mark Rothko and Junji Ito. EP 'MOUTH' has no doubt demonstrated E L L E's fascinating artist qualities and genuine polymath - her unique sonic output can best be described as a blend of Hip Hop and Electronic noise. E L L E self-directed and shot videos for her early singles ‘Hyacinth Kiss’ and ‘Cookies’ which prove her visual artistry and sonic experimental nature.
E L L E has received support tastemakers across the board including DIY, i-D, DAZED, Hunger, DUMMY, 4:3 Boiler Room, London In Stereo and more - a telling spread of support speaking volumes on talent and firmly placing her in the ‘one to watch’ category for this year. In the chit-chat, with E L L E below we touch on latest creation 'MOUTH' and we get the know the ins and outs of this rising artist.
Is there a song you always find yourself singing in the shower?
I don’t sing in the shower but i listened to chief keef in the shower yesterday
You were born in Toyko and raised in Toulouse and now you are based in London, how has travelling influenced you and your music?
Growing up I always felt on the outside because we moved so much and I really struggled with that until I realised that there was actually no inside and no such thing as a scene. All art is fluid and linked, and I don't like the idea of things being categorised. A lot of what seems to be solid and real is just an illusion or an idea.
How would you describe the music scene in London?
From what i have experienced it’s thriving and varied, especially the live scene. kinda hard to pin down.
You're single from your new EP, 'Yowl' is very dreamlike, what's the concept behind this track?
To me this track just feels like spring. When i made that little synth line it was like, this is a bird singing, this is a little trill from classical music, this is fairies in alil go cart speeding on the highway, this is the moomins jumping about in the grass. (i really like the moomins.) Yowl is sort of hyperactive and sparkly. It's a cartoon. But it's also real sad too. I like making tracks you could move to but it's not really a club track. More for running around by yourself outside.
How do you distinguish individuality in your music?
I don’t sometimes i set out to make a track to emulate another track or genre that just hits good but i guess i’m bad at it because it kinda never turns out how i intend to. I’ve had people telling me my sound is weird or unique when to me it sounds like all the stuff i really like but just blended up. I’ll lift hats and snares from one place and kicksand synth from another. Sometimes i’ll do a vocal take a million times in different registers but it’s usually the first one that is the right one. I guess it’s always gonna be individual because it’s made by me and there isn’t objectivity in creation for me.
What is the best advice you've ever given anybody?
i try not to give advice expect: wear sunscreen
Your new EP "Mouth" is inspired by moods and sensations, why did they inspire you?
I feel like I always want what I make to have a basis in experience. Not reality, that's sort of subjective, but an experience. A memory, a texture, a view, a mood. I think because music is sensory it should reflect that. It should be emotional or trigger some sort of reaction. All the music I really love heightens my emotions in some way.
From the new EP which of the 4 tracks is your favourite & why?
It changes constantly. I love the beginning of Surtsey because it's a recording of the birds out of my window at home so it makes me feel like I’m back there. I was really stoked on Shieldmaiden when I made it as it just hit right for me. If I’ m being honest though, I'm already on to the next thing.
You say you made "Mouth" from various bedrooms on your laptop, what process did you go through when making this body of work?
A lot of struggle really. I was moving around a lot and working off the floor a lot, I didn't have speakers so was mixing in headphones. There was a lot of chopping and editing with this project and a lot of fine tuning as I became comfortable in myself. I used to wait until people were out of the house so I could record vocals. It's truly a bedroom record but I wouldn't change that at all.
What is the one message you would give to your following?
Ur wasting ur time if you’re worrying what other people think about you
What are the next steps for you & your music?
I'm working on a mixtape. I want the next project to be really intuitive, immediate, organic and much less thought out. I don't wanna say anything more on it now but, I’m excited.
interview IZABEL ROSE
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