Melbourne singer-songwriter Eliott is heading to BIGSOUND with the emotive and honest storytelling that has already positioned her as an emerging artist to watch.
With her debut EP 'Bold Enough' due out mid-September, Eliott will be giving Brisbane audiences a sneak peek when she performs as part of BIGSOUND.
We catch up with Eliott to talk about 'Bold Enough' and how she's going to make the most out of her BIGSOUND shows.
It must have been a great feeling selling out your two recent headline shows?
It was crazy. So great to be able to share my EP with my friends and family, but seeing people I didn’t know in the audience was such a weird thing for me. Very, very humbling.
What can you tell us about your debut EP 'Bold Enough'?
‘Bold Enough’ is very much a reflective record, it was written at a crossroads in my life where I wasn’t quite sure I’d amount to anything. It’s about moving on, finding happiness on your own terms.
Being your debut EP, how did you approach writing and recording it?
To be honest, I didn’t have the songs ready to make an EP – they kind of just all came together and worked. I spent a lot of time in the studio with Jack Grace, who taught me so much about the way I want to write. We would sit and talk for a few hours and the songs actually came quite quickly. I had just moved from Melbourne to the Blue Mountains, so I guess inspiration was just pouring out of me.
What are you hoping listeners will take away from the record?
I hope it's relatable, that when people hear it they’re just like 'Damn' and have to give it another play – because that’s what I do when I hear a good song.
You also worked with some interesting collaborators such as Kuren and producer Jack Grace. How did these partnerships influence the songs on the EP?
I worked with so many different artists in that first year I moved to the Blue Mountains, and every single one taught me so much about who I want to be creatively and the message I want to get across. The whole EP was written with Jack, so that relationship influenced the songs on the EP so much.
He was my first ever co-writing session. I remember going in there, nervous as hell, wondering what the hell I was going to do. But the songs kept flowing. We were only meant to do one track together, but I was lucky enough for him to produce the whole six tracks on the EP.
You've been writing songs since you were 14; how do the songs you wrote then compare with what you're producing now?
Oh wow... so, so different, but that comes with experience. Even two years ago to now my songwriting has improved so much. It really takes time, maybe some heartbreak too.
What's your game plan for performing as part of the BIGSOUND showcase?
I start rehearsals this week with my drummer Gareth and guitarist/ keys player Nick. So I’m keen to get back into live shows. I want people to feel every moment of my set; there’s something so special about singing to a room of people whose eyes are on you only.
How are you mentally preparing for BIGSOUND?
To be honest, I know I’ll be nervous as hell as soon as I arrive. So I think just taking it easy, putting all of my energy into these rehearsals and hopefully it all goes well.
Are there any bands or artists you're hoping to see while at BIGSOUND?
I’m really keen to see Jeffe, Clews, Didirri – ah there are so many great ones.
What is your next goal you want to achieve as Eliott?
I guess just start writing for my album, write as much as I can, find my voice I suppose. A national headline tour would be pretty great too.
Eliott performs as part of the BIGSOUND (Brisbane) 4,5 September.
Supporting No Mono
Fri 31 Aug - Jive (Adelaide)Fri 7 Sep - Corner Hotel (Melbourne)
