Rising star ELI, fresh from touring with Lauren Mayberry of CHVRCHES, has captivated the music scene, earning BBC Introducing’s Record Of The Week and gaining recognition from COLORS, Wonderland, and Wordplay. Her latest EP ‘Full Form’ boasts a versatile array of songs that underscore her role as a fresh voice in alternative pop. This London-based singer, songwriter, visual artist, and producer blends ethereal vocals with melodic guitar riffs and compelling beats, creating a truly unique sonic experience.
As she continues to expand her fanbase with her powerful musical narratives and distinct genre, ELI’s ‘Full Form’ delivers a captivating journey. We sat down with the artist to talk about her journey and her latest release.
KALTBLUT: Can you tell us about your journey as a musician, from growing up in South London to releasing your EP ‘Full Form’?
ELI: I was born and raised in London by my mother who was a singer in her home country the Ivory Coast before moving to the UK in the 90’s. Growing up I was exposed to music in every form you can imagine, from listening to it, playing various instruments, and singing in every choir however it came, I was there. I took piano and guitar lessons at school and would hear everything from reggae, gospel, afro-jazz, traditional, disco and pop at home. I’ve drawn influence from lots of different subcultures and I think you can really hear that in Full Form.
I played in bands and gigged around the UK throughout my teen years and experimented with genres, never truly settling on one sound but blending everything I’d been exposed to. It wasn’t until my sister introduced me to Logic Pro that things started to fully cement themselves for me as an artist and ELI was born. It was very much trial and error with producing but Full Form is the lionheart at the end of a chapter of musical self-discovery.
KALTBLUT: How have your personal experiences influenced the themes and emotions captured in your music? Do you have any favourite stories to share?
ELI: Full Form birthed itself from a time when I felt my most powerless in my life. Pouring my emotions into each song helped me navigate through those experiences a step at a time and I learnt so much about myself in the process. A lot of my music does stem from moments of self-reflection as a form of therapy and I think a lot of people do pick up on the depth within each track. Each layer has its own intention and purpose that links back to a thought or feeling I’ve had.
KALTBLUT: How does your background as a visual artist inform your approach to creating music?
ELI: Not many people know that I studied fashion design at University. I’ve always wanted to have a range of skills under my belt and had an interest in Art as a teen so learning fashion was a natural progression for me. It awakened this part of my brain that’s helped me build a brand around my artistry outside of producing and writing.
KALTBLUT: What motivated you to write and record the EP in your bedroom at home, and how did this unique setting contribute to the overall sound and vibe?
ELI: Home is where my resources are. Recording and producing can all be done from a laptop now and as an independent artist it’s the most practical thing for me. I could spend as much time as I wanted working and reworking the production and instrumental on each song without having to hire out a studio. Taking the time to build the elements in a song is so important to me, I’m always learning as I go along and working in my home studio gives me the privilege to do that at my own pace.
KALTBLUT: Can you walk us through the process?
ELI: Parallel was the first to come about, starting with a sombre bassline melody that I laid down and looped. I already had the word ‘parallel’ in mind because at the time I was feeling very dissociative. Going about my everyday but observing myself in the third person. I think that pushed me to be more extrinsic with my approach, laying down droney guitars and having dramatic ethereal vocals, making it slightly off-kilter, really audibly reflecting what I was living. Each track reflects the emotions I’d wrestled over the last few years, mirroring personal experiences. Journaling them in melodies and then expanding upon them over the next few months until I reached a point where I felt so consumed by it that I’d managed to work my way out of feeling run down. Full Form was a therapeutic process for me and It really named itself.
KALTBLUT: How do you hope ‘Full Form’ will resonate with listeners?
ELI: I want people to feel moved by each song on the EP. Every track offers a different insight into my experiences and takes you on an individual journey to the next, each part offering something new and distinctive. I hope that when people discover my music they can see how curious my approach to it is and how intentional I am.
KALTBLUT: As you continue to build your fanbase and engage with listeners, what are your hopes and aspirations for the future of your music career and artistic expression?
ELI: I want to be able to look back and see that my career was a bridge for other young black female musicians who see themselves in alternative spaces. I struggled with my identity growing up and feeling underrepresented and out of place because I couldn’t see women that looked and sounded like me up on stage or on the TV. So when young girls come up to me after my shows and tell me they’ve been inspired by it, I’m reminded that this is much bigger than me and the songs I write in my room. It’s a movement and I’m paving the way for the next generation and that to me is so important.
KALTBLUT: What else can we look forward to from you this year?
ELI: Playing more shows! I love playing live so definitely lots more of that this year!
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Full Form is out now: https://ingrv.es/full-form-mhn-q
