ELKKA Q&A
2023-09-04Hey Elkka! How are you? Where are you in the world right now?
I am great thank you. Currently at home in South London recovering from a busy bank holiday weekend where I performed live at All Points East…last festival of the summer!
You started as a songwriter and then moved to producing music – what part of the creative process inspires you the most?
I honestly now see it as one and the same thing. I use to think production was this magical language I didn’t understand, nor was it my place to but now songwriting and production happen intrinsically together. I do think having spent so many years just writing toplines and melodies, it really translates into how I make my music now. I couldn’t write minimal techno for instance. There has to be emotion and melody behind everything I create, whether its coming from a synthesiser or my own voice.
How did your sound take shape?
I think my sound really started taking shape when I removed the barrier between me and writing which was all the various producers I worked with the years before. As soon as I started to produce myself, I finally was able to craft something that was true to me, totally uninterrupted by other peoples influences and thoughts about what I ‘should do’. I was able to follow my instincts purely for the first time and figure out what my sound really was.
With your influences ranging from Britney to Imogen Heap, what are you listening to at the moment?
I am currently listening to a lot of John Caroll Kirby who I have been fortunate enough to be in the studio with also. I just love everything he does. I have also being going back to old Dixie Chicks albums…now called ‘The Chicks’. I just love their storytelling.
I’ve heard you speak about being obsessed with strong women who do whatever the fuck they want. How did you break free from caring about what other people think?
Ooh I mean its a constant battle for most people to try not to care what people think but I do this the most consistently through my music. Just because I learnt that crafting something that is true to you is the super power because no one else can what you do. So if you try to dilute to please other people or sound like other people it won’t resonate and connect with people. I have my moments of deep insecurity though of course…but it comes in waves and I fight my way through it to keep going and believing.
Tell us more about DJ Friendly…
The EP is is the expression of the urges and intensity that the club space gives to me . I feel like I tend to walk a tightrope between the club and more live-facing music. This one is firmly on the club side. Sometimes I need to release that side of me, inspired by the parties I have played at and partied in over the summer. It builds and builds until the urges are met and I can refresh and allow myself to start again creatively.
I’ve been playing the tracks in my sets all summer and the crowd reactions have been giving me so much energy, so I hope it translates at home. There’s also a special bonus track on the white label for my vinyl crew.
How do you think industry is changing for the better, and what still needs to change?
Its hard to say how its changing for the better as there really is so far to go when it comes to inclusivity, safe spaces and balance re representation in lineups. I don’t have all the answers but I do know we are a long way from getting it right. Its very much still a CIS mans world out there.
Within your music there is an emphasis on connection and feeling good. Why do you think escapism is so important?
I think its a tough world to live in and only getting harder for most people…we all need a break to feel free at times and let our nervous systems calm and reset. I think dancing is an incredible way to do this, to have mindfulness for a day or night, its hugely powerful and helps people re-energise to deal real life again.
What was the experience like supporting Caribou and Jon Hopkins?
Honestly, I learnt so much but mainly they were all so encouraging of what I was doing and gave me great advice re touring life. Its an odd world to exist in at times so to hear from people who have done for it so long who you admire so much, its really powerful.
What are your hopes for the future?
Great friends, great loves and great sex
Photography – Alexandra Lambert
Words – Lo Harley
