In the vibrant tapestry of New York’s music scene, Ella Galvin emerges as a luminary, blending genres effortlessly to craft a sound uniquely her own. With her latest single, “Do Not Disturb,” Ella invites listeners into a whimsical world where carefree attitudes intersect with introspective storytelling.
Inspired by a late-night “situationship,” Ella’s “Do Not Disturb” encapsulates the essence of youthful curiosity and romantic ambiguity. Through a blend of atmospheric bedroom-pop production and her serene vocals, Ella paints a picture of intrigue and indifference, set against the backdrop of playful over-editing that mirrors the whimsical nature of the relationship.
In an exclusive interview, Ella offers insights into the creative process behind “Do Not Disturb” and her forthcoming debut EP, ‘The Way It Goes.’ From the initial spark of inspiration to the collaborative efforts with her producer Tucker Bickell, Ella delves into the intricacies of translating personal experiences into relatable music.
What sets Ella’s music apart is her ability to seamlessly incorporate diverse influences, ranging from pop and soul to jazz and rock. Rather than blending these genres indiscriminately, Ella approaches each song as a sonic experiment, exploring the nuances of different musical styles while maintaining a cohesive thematic thread.
The playful voice note that concludes “Do Not Disturb” serves as a tongue-in-cheek nod to the song’s carefree ethos, offering a glimpse into Ella’s introspective yet lighthearted approach to storytelling. It’s this balance between personal narrative and universal appeal that defines Ella’s artistic expression, allowing listeners to connect with her music on a deeper level.
As a young, queer woman navigating the complexities of modern life, Ella embraces her identity as a driving force behind her songwriting. From love and loss to self-discovery, Ella’s songs serve as a testament to the multifaceted nature of her experiences, inviting listeners to explore their own journeys of growth and introspection.
With her debut EP on the horizon and a burgeoning buzz surrounding her music, Ella Galvin is poised to make waves in the music industry. As she continues to hone her craft and captivate audiences with her genre-defying sound, one thing is certain: Ella Galvin is an artist on the rise, destined for greatness in 2024 and beyond.
Check out the full interview below:
What inspired the creation of your single, “Do Not Disturb”?
“Do Not Disturb” is a song based on a situationship I was in last year. Late at night on the weekend when I didn’t go out, I would put my phone on ‘Do Not Disturb’ but allow notifications from this person. The lighthearted and energetic vibe, with a touch of playful over-editing, mirrors the carefree attitude I had towards this relationship. The song reflects my strange indifference but intrigue towards this relationship.
Can you walk us through your creative process behind “Do Not Disturb,” from the initial concept to the final production?
I actually came up with the first verse when I quite literally had my phone on ‘Do Not Disturb,’ haha! Once I came up with the phrase and melody, I just continued to build the song off that. I then took the song to my producer, Tucker Bickell, who was able to transform it into the song it is now.
Your music is described as a blend of pop, soul, jazz, and rock. How do you approach incorporating these diverse influences into your sound?
For these specific songs, as well as my upcoming EP, I’ve been experimenting with different genres within specific songs, instead of just blending them all together. I think this has been a really great step in learning to take the elements I want from each genre in order to create songs that are really unique to me.
Could you tell us more about the significance of the playful voice note at the end of “Do Not Disturb” and how it ties into the overall theme of the song?
The overall theme of the song is about embracing being carefree. The voice note at the end is a little bit tongue-in-cheek, it’s what I imagined I’d say to this person if I’d just let it all out. It’s kind of therapeutic!
You mentioned that “Do Not Disturb” reflects your experience in a particular relationship. How do you navigate the balance between personal storytelling and creating relatable music for your audience?
I really like to focus on personal storytelling. I think that most stories that we feel like are only specific to ourselves will actually resonate with other people in one way or another.
Having started your career performing in fusion bands, how has that experience shaped your approach to your solo project?
I learned so much from my time performing in bands. It taught me a lot about different writing processes and how to collaborate effectively. It’s definitely helped me approach my solo project with more musical knowledge and specific direction.
What can listeners expect from your forthcoming debut EP in terms of themes and sonic exploration?
I did a lot of sonic exploration and experimentation when creating my new EP, ‘The Way It Goes.’ I really leaned into the idea of making each song sound sonically different while remaining in the same thematic universe. I also had a lot of fun trying out different songwriting processes while putting this EP together.
You’ve been fine-tuning your live show with performances around New York City. How do you adapt your music for the live stage, and what can audiences anticipate from your live performances?
It’s so fun to play new songs live and see how the audience reacts! I also find it really important to play my songs live a couple of times to solidify the form of the song and to figure out how exactly I want to record it.
As a young, queer woman in today’s world, how does your identity inform your songwriting and artistic expression?
My queer identity is definitely something I try to incorporate into my songwriting since it’s an essential part of my life experiences. Since my songs are all based on my real life experiences, it’s definitely something I’ve tried to become more comfortable with leaning into and writing about.
With growing buzz surrounding your music, what are your aspirations and goals for your career as an artist in 2024 and beyond?
I’m really hoping to have more shows over the next few months. I’d also love to have a chance to play in more cities outside of New York!
See ya!
The Hollywood Six 