FEATURE:
Spotlight
Spotlight feature out this year already. I am determined to highlight some great new artists who are worth following. I have known about Kings Elliot for a while now. She is a really interesting artist who is going to be among the ones to watch this year. I am bringing in a few interviews – ending one where the artist discusses some of her favourite music. First, I read an article from December 2020. I did not know that one her most powerful songs, I’m Getting Tired of Me, led to a video filmed whilst she was having a panic attack. For a first single, it was remarkably affecting and brave:
“When rising artist Kings Elliot released her debut single “I’m Getting Tired of Me” in late November, she accompanied the stunning track with a video just as stunning. Well… Actually words like “touching”, “moving” and “groundbreaking” might fit better, cause what the video shows is the Swiss-raised, now London-based artist accidentally recording a panic attack she was having, when she was about to film the initial idea for the music video.
Battling borderline personality disorder, depression and anxiety, Kings channels her experiences with mental health problems, self-doubt and loneliness, and she uses her art to explore her personality and personal thoughts and fears. The result, “I’m Getting Tired of Me”, is a perfectly-crafted cinematic pop song growing in sound for every note, and growing on us for every listen.
The music video beautifully shows how strength can come from something deeply vulnerable. Kings decided to release the personal footage to remind everyone watching that no matter how bad it gets, it also gets better in the end.
We reached out to the artist to hear the story behind the powerful music video and the thoughts laying ground for publishing it.
We were in the middle of lockdown, there wasn’t much money available but I had an idea in my head for my first video: I’m performing the song while different footage of myself is projected onto me, fitting with “I’m Getting Tired of Me” being about the ongoing struggle with my mental health and not being able to escape myself. I set up the tripod to film that projector footage and hit record. In the middle of a take, I had a panic attack.
My best friend was in the room next door and came over to check on me. They sat on the bed across from me and talked me through my emotions, helping me regulate my breathing. In moments like these, I cannot move and I cannot be touched, I can only be spoken to from a distance until it’s over. It wasn’t until later that I realised the camera had been recording everything.
When I watched the footage back later that night, I realised that it literally sums up what I wrote the song about.
What struck me was that you actually watch me gradually recover, there’s even a moment of peace in my face at some point. And that’s why I wanted to share it. It’s sort of a reminder that panic attacks pass, even though they can feel all-consuming. Especially when they hit you out of nowhere. I speak to so many people on my Instagram about my and their mental health. It only seemed right for me to share this, and let people see that you don’t need to hide it, or be ashamed of your struggles”.
I am not aware of too many Swiss-born artists who are now residing in the U.K. Not that it directly impacts what her music sounds like, but I think it gives Kings Elliot a special edge and background. When promoting her single, Call Me a Dreamer, late last year, she spoke with Boyfriend Magazine about her songwriting process. I was interested in the response Kings Elliot gave when asked whether her songwriting has changed since she moved to London:
“I think it’s best to start with introductions, so we know you were born in Switzerland and now reside in London, so tell us a little bit more about you and where it all started for you?
I always knew I wanted to be an artist, ever since I was about 6 years old. When I finished my education in Switzerland I decided it was time to pursue music properly, so I moved to London 5 years ago. When I first got here I didn’t know anyone and I worked 4 jobs at the same time while trying to write and produce songs. It’s been a challenging few years but now I feel I’ve found my feet.
Your music has a soft and light tone, but stirs deep with its thought provoking lyrics, so it’s clear to see that music is a powerful outlet for you, but what do you hope listeners of your music to take away?
There is something so comforting and healing about sad music – I’d like people to feel more heard when they listen to my songs and for it to break down barriers around mental health. I want people to feel empowered in their pain and know that there’s nothing to be ashamed of, in fact it’s really strong to admit you’re struggling.
What is the songwriting process for you and are there any singer songwriters in the industry that inspired you as we’ve heard that you often listen to music from the 40’s and 50’s?
Usually I write with a need to understand and work through something I’m going through. I sometimes spend hours talking to my main collaborator (writer/producer halfrhymes) and then eventually after what feels like some good therapy we’ll play around with chords and sing a melody until the song forms itself. It’s really weird how it happens and it’s different every time!
Do you feel your songwriting has changed since moving from Switzerland to London?
My songwriting has definitely developed a lot over the past few years, not just because I relocated but mainly because I do it 50 x more since I’ve moved and I found people to write songs with, who have helped me grow and hone in on my sound. Every song you write is like practising something until it’s worth showing someone”.
DIY shone a spotlight on Kings Elliot early last year. A remarkable artist who is going to be courting attention from other artists, she was asked about which other artists she might like to join forces with:
“Are there any other artists breaking through at the same time that you take inspiration from?
So hard to think of myself as breaking through, but there’s lots of new artists that I’m a big fan of. Luz, who is an incredible unsigned artist from Ireland, Ryann who is an amazing artist and also wrote Tate McRae’s ‘You Broke Me First’. I also love what Yeaow is doing. And, he’s getting huge now, but a lot of people have said I remind them of a female Anson Seabra which got me to listen to a lot of his music and he’s such an incredible, pure songwriter. It’s weird though, when I’m writing songs I don’t really listen to any current artists, I always seem to take inspiration from the 40s and 50s instead.
Who would be your dream collaborator?
I know this sounds a bit cheesy, but I’ve been lucky enough to find my dream collaborator early on. His name is Conway (Halfrhymes). The songwriting, production and mixing all happens between us two and it feels so special that way! That said, there are definitely people I’ve looked up to for a long time that I’d love to someday write with, like Emily Warren, or I love Finneas’ creativity. I think my dream collaboration would be on an animated film soundtrack though.
Musically or otherwise, what are you most looking forward to this year?
Finally putting my favourite songs out there, finally (hopefully) meeting the people that have been listening to my music so far and of course seeing my family and my best friends again!!
If people could take away one thing from your music, what would it be?
I want people to see a beautiful side to sadness… cause there is something so comforting and healing in sad music. I want people to stop stigmatizing mental health issues and if there’s any way I can play even the tiniest part in that, then my ‘mission’ feels accomplished. To anyone reading this going
through it, there’s absolutely nothing to be ashamed of and you can DM me anytime”.
Prior to finish things up, I want to reference a CLASH feature. As part of the interview, Kings Elliot selected a few songs and artists who inspire her. I have picked a few of them that particularly caught my eye:
“King Princess - 'Cheap Queen'
“King Princess is one of those artists that picks you up and swoops you right into their world. I absolutely love her songwriting, her production, her voice, the things she sings about, her image. Everything. Plus she has “King” in her name. I was a big fan of her debut EP, but when 'Cheap Queen' came out I was just floored by how cohesive it felt and how hard it went.
No one else does what she does, and it was so refreshing and empowering to see the types of choices she made and “risks” she took. It’s a new album but it’s already a classic for me.
Banks - 'Goddess'
The title says it all for me. As far as I’m concerned, Banks is a Goddess. Full stop. I discovered her when I first moved to London and immediately felt so connected to her. The songs on that album are so beautifully crafted, the lyrics so poetic and the production so sharp. It absolutely blew me away! I’ve seen her live multiple times and loved it every time.
It’s an album I’ve revisited over the years since it came out and I discover new things in it everytime, which is something I genuinely hope people can say about my records and something I took away from everything Banks has done - making the music mutli-dimensional enough to never let the listener feel like they know everything.
Yungblud - 'fleabag'
I completely fell in love with Yungblud’s sound and personality from the very first time I heard him. He’s definitely the outlier on this list, but I have so much respect for people who try to challenge the status quo from the platform of popular music.
I love seeing a globally rising pop/rock artist do everything he can to provide a safe space for his fans to be themselves and to encourage acceptance. And it never feels preachy. I’m also a sucker for a record I can turn up load and scream along to”.
Someone who is going to have a very successful year, everyone needs to keep a look out for Kings Elliot. With some wonderful music under her belt so far, this is an artist who is going to go a long way. So many people are responding and reacting positively to what she is putting out. Everyone should find a place in their lives…
FOR the amazing Kings Elliot.
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