We chatted with songwriter and performer Ella Fence:
How do you describe your sound?
It’s hard to describe, to be honest, the main through-line for all my music is the vocals, and that all the songs sit under the indie/ alternative/ pop music umbrella, but I make a concerted effort to not pigeonhole myself in any way when it comes to creating and I love to constantly evolve as a songwriter, artist and performer. My music has been described as “shape-shifting” and “genre-hopping” for this reason and I love those terms, I think that’s really me.
Who or what inspires your songwriting?
Conversations and things I overhear, new experiences, relationships and friendships, questioning something to see it through a fresh lens, taking a risk and putting myself “out there”, being out in nature (usually swimming, or an epic long walk on a beach that feels endless – maybe it’s something about the perceived limitlessness of the ocean, or a stretch of beach that feels like it goes forever?).
What I find most interesting is the feeling I get when I haven’t taken the time to write and process things. Sometimes I don’t realise how much I physically need to write, until I’ve taken the time to do so. It’s the ultimate form of artistic satisfaction, but also just improves all other areas of my life.
I notice a huge shift in my outlook, mood, temperament when I’ve been creative. My relationships, my health, my hustle, it all improves when I’m in a good writing flow. Things feel really messy when I’m not able to take this time or too many things get in the way.
What inspired your upcoming release, ‘ALL I DO IS THINK’?
It’s a love story (well actually, a relationship breakdown) told backwards.
I decided to release it on Valentines Day because I have a twisted sense of humour, so stay tuned for Friday 14 February!
Tell us about ‘She’s Looking Pretty’ and ‘Japan’?
‘She’s Looking Pretty’ is like the scene in the movie ‘Marriage Story’ where the husband and wife realise they’re really getting a divorce and everyone is crying and nothing makes sense. There’s no resolution to this song. Only heartbreak, anger, emptiness and questions. (but don’t worry the resolution comes in one of the other tracks!)
‘Japan’ is a realisation that what you’re looking for is inside you.
Where would you like to be sipping Pink Mojitos?
With my new lover
Slow dancing, slowly sinking into my new lover.
Tell us about your creative process?
9 times out of 10 I start with lyrics, which I’m told is backwards to a lot of other people’s processes, but I don’t really care if it’s the wrong way around, because it works for me. I do try to create in other ways though, to challenge myself and see what kind of music I make when I adopt a different process.
What’s been the highlight of your career so far?
Singing overseas – I’ve performed in Toronto, Norway, Berlin, New York and so many other fabulous places. Travelling and playing music are both things that really light me up and inspire me, so doing the two in unison has always been what I’ve aimed for in life and I try and integrate as much travel as I can into my music and vice versa.
Do you have any plans for the future?
Heaps of tour plans., new music plans, heaps of travel plans. Stay tuned.
About Ella Fence
Award-winning songwriter and performer Ella Fence is a power-femme genre-bending artist who has toured and performed in USA, Berlin, England (including Great Escape Festival, Alternative Escape), Canada (Canadian Music Week), and Norway, as well nationally across Australia.
Ella Fence is working hard on new music, growing her live show and band as well as a string of exciting live shows including performing live on stage with Katie Noonan as well as at Commonwealth GamesFestival 2018 supporting Kate Miller-Heidke and Regurgitator (see here for live footage).
http://www.ellafencemusic.com/
Triple J Unearthed: https://www.triplejunearthed.com/artist/ella-fence
SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/ellafencemusic
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ellafencemusic/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ellafencemusic/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/ellafencemusic
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ellafencemusic
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