W/Rachel June
Photos by Charlee Mouna
We spoke with Copenhagen-based artist Elliot on his new single 'hot but depressive.' This indie-rock artist delivers dreamy, poetic vocals over indie-pop beats. The song takes you on an introspective journey. Laid back and floaty but with lyrics that cut deep - Elliot is no doubt turning heads with his unique sound.
‘hot but depressive’ follows last autumn’s ’nothing at all’, featuring Reveal Party, and marks the second release from Elliot’s forthcoming EP. ASBO got to speak with Elliot on all things music, have a read below:
1. Who is Elliot?
i’m a danish singer/songwriter, who’s insanely obsessed with guitars, hard-hitting lyrics and being sad all the time.
2. For someone that is yet to discover you, how would you describe your music?
It sounds like drifting through a haze of melancholia, raw and wild guitars. at its heart, it’s an honest confession and a reflection on the weight of youth, the search for identity, and the quiet, aching longing to become someone else or something more than you are.
3. What inspired you as an artist?
i’ve always been super drawn by the fact, that music conveys emotions and that you can tie songs to certain experiences. music can take you back to feelings and situations that you may have forgotten or wish to revisit – and that’s just SO special.
4.What Is Your Pre-Show Routine?
i do a pretty rigorous vocal warm-up, which involves rubber bands and mini massage balls — I look insane doing it. But it helps me feel less nervous and more grounded before I go on stage. I also drink a lot of water, suck on a lot of “extra-strong Halls,” and you’ll always find me wearing a scarf.
5. What's your dream venue?
The Hollywood Bowl.
6. What are your favourite musical genres, and are there any you dislike?
INDIE. I’m absolutely obsessed, the more devastating the better. i’m not the biggest fan og heavy-metal and hardcore-rap, though i do find both genres and their skill to be extremely impressive.
10. What advice would you give to aspiring artists?
do/work/create whatever feels most authentic and right for YOU. no-ones know what will get picked up by radio or become a massive hit on streaming – the only one you should please, is yourself. people will get you and your project eventually. don’t compromise yourself or what you want to do because somebody tells you it’s not sellable or commercial enough.
11. Who would you most like to collaborate with artistically?
gorgeous, a danish indie-band, whom i had the pleasure of playing support for on their dk-tour. they’re so so great and i love everything they do.
12. What song do you have on repeat right now?
sorry by madonna, that song slaps SO hard. my friend sent it to me a few weeks ago and it unlocked a forgotten memory for me. i used to dance to “confessions on a dancefloor” on my parents boomblaster, in their living room with my friends when we were like 6 hahaha – i love how music carries memories and can make you remember things or experiences you’ve forgotten.
13. What music artists would you say have influenced your work?
uh, there’s so many. elliott smith, sufjan stevens, lana del rey, clario, beach house, lou reed – just to name a few.
14. What is your creative process when making music? Do you work with others or is it just you?
i work with my producer (joachim ersgaard), we’ve worked together for 3/4 years and feels very safe. our process is very much, joachim starts playing something on one of his many guitars, i start singing and scribble down words or feelings that the chords evoke in me – and then we start to build a production and record things. it feels very intuitive and I try not to think or judge to much – you can also tweak and change sounds, words or chords later. i try to stay as open and receptive throughout the whole process.
15. This year, what can we expect?
my most personal ep, it’s very intimate, revealing and honest. i’m lowkey terrified for people to hear it, but i’m also so so proud. it’s really my best work yet!