Get to Know: Eljé

Eljé, a rising star in the dance music scene whose passion for music has taken her from singing lessons to amassing over 353.6k monthly listeners. With recent singles like "See Through," "I’ve Tried," and "Bout To Lose It," she's poised to make waves with her upcoming six-track EP In My Head, dropping on July 26th. We sat down with Eljé to uncover her journey, inspirations, and what fans can expect from her new music.

Eljé's love for music began early, "I've always loved music. I've always loved singing" she recalls. Encouraged by her mother, she started singing lessons at the age of 12. However, a move to Gloucester at 15 saw her stepping back from music. "I stopped music then because I was just in a bit of a headspace," she explains. The creative environment at her new school didn't support her musical ambitions, causing her to pause her pursuits.

During the lockdown, her mother urged her to continue pursuing her passions while completing her studies. "I really wanted a job in music, but I was doing dental nursing at the time, which is so random," she laughs. Eljé began music mentoring with kids and joined an artist development program. Her breakthrough came when she dropped "Peach Cross Sunday" on TikTok. "That's how I started dance music," she shares.

Transitioning from Lo-Fi R&B to dance music felt natural. "I've always loved dance music. I thought, why not try it?" she says. Inspired by Jack Marlow's beats, she recorded "Peach Cross Sunday," marking the beginning of her dance music journey. Her inspirations include Cleo Sol and Lianne La Havas. "That's where I get my R&B side from," she says, appreciating their subtle, non-conformist approach to music.

Her creative process is diverse, often split between receiving beats from producers and in-studio sessions. "I do melody first, and then the lyrics come after," she explains. Eljé strives to keep her music relatable. "The most personal song I wrote was 'Bout To Lose It' about mental health. I knew a lot of people would relate to it."

Addressing mental health in her music is important to her. "I've got quite a few songs about mental health. It's hard because you don't want it to sound the same," she says. She believes in staying true to herself regardless of trends. "The main thing for me is to just stay true to myself," she emphasises.

Preferring the studio over live performances due to past stage fright. "I used to have a massive fear of performing live," she confesses. However, having a supportive DJ has boosted her confidence. "I'm excited and nervous for my next live performance in July," she says.

Fans can look forward to new releases, including the single "One to Leave," which also touches on mental health. "It's a UK garage track produced by Ghosty, and it was really fun to make," she reveals. Her EP dropping at the end of July promises more of her signature sound.

Reflecting on her journey, Eljé feels blessed to pursue music full-time. "I've only been releasing music for just over a year, so I'm excited for what's to come," she says. Despite challenges, she remains focused on her unique path. "It's important to stay true to myself and write about what I want to write about," she concludes.

Stay tuned for Eljé's EP In My Head set to release on July 26th. Blending heartfelt lyrics with infectious dance beats, she is an artist to watch.