Elle L Photographed by Erica Bergsmeds

Sassy, talented and beautiful are just some words that we would use to describe singer-songwriter Elle L.

We honestly can’t help but stare at her while she talks to Blowout Magazine about sustainability, her music, her passion about our environment and falling in love with thy neighbour… literally!

Hey Gorgeous, what are you up to right now?

I’m currently preparing the master and visuals for my next single, 'Higher' out next month!

You combine sustainability and music, what made you want to do this?

It happened quite naturally. The world around me is an inspiration for my music and we are in a climate emergency, so I feel the need to protect the planet through my art. With a growing platform comes the opportunity and responsibility to champion sustainability.

What’s the first thing you did when lockdown was lifted?

I released my debut single ‘Hoping’ the week lockdown lifted. It felt like the right moment as we begin to break free from the chains of isolation and emerge back into the physical realm together. I think hope is a uniting force as we re-imagine our future.

What is the one item you can’t live without?

Health but in terms of a physical item? In all honesty my phone so I can stay connected with those I love and record new music ideas.

One thing that has kept you sane the last 12 months?

Writing music and falling in love with my neighbour.

What have you missed the most?

Definitely seeing my family. I’m very close to my family, so that’s been the biggest challenge.

First place you will travel to when we are back to ‘normal’?

I would love to see more of the world. There’s an Eco-retreat called Azulik. I’m also interested to visit Soneva in Thailand, who take care of the planet whilst providing exceptional experiences (or so I’m told!) but first, I'm going to Ibiza for a late-summer getaway. I love the natural elements and sense of magic there.

Most interesting thing you have read or seen lately?

I recently learnt that our heart has 40 000 neurons, it’s own mini-nervous system, a ‘little brain’ of sorts and I find that really beautiful — it makes sense of how we can ‘feel’ with our heart, which I think is pretty magical.

Speaking of magic, I also recently discovered David Blaine… I know I’m late to the party here but I found it fascinating how he broke through both mental and physical barriers to hold his breath for 17 minutes. I love stories of people overcoming the odds.

What is your favourite memory and why?

Shooting my music video at the Old Royal Naval College was so special. It was a dream come true to bring my idea for Hoping to life, especially after a year of being in isolation. Working with an incredible team and dancers from The Royal Ballet was so amazing.

When this crazy ride is over what is the one thing you’d like to be remembered for?

My music, but above all else, I hope people remember me for being kind, curious and honest.

Who is your inspiration?

Apart from my Mum? My Mum really inspires me in so many ways as she has the purest heart and hardworking attitude... (She was the first female piano tuner for Steinway & Sons… so many of my formative musical memories are through my parents).

What I know of Frida Khalo really inspires me too. She really pushed conventions and was a true trailblazer.

What’s your most annoying habit?

I’m a bit of perfectionist, which can mean that it’s hard to let go sometimes, especially in the artistic process, but I’m learning to enjoy the art of letting go.

What is it about the way you do what you do that you think separates you from others?

I think most people start to work with brands and NGOs once they have more music out — I’ve started the other way around. I’m super passionate about the environment and that is definitely a part of my creativity that's unique to me as an artist and gives my music purpose.

What’s the most fun project you have done and why?

I’m up to so many wonderful projects at the moment. I’m an ambassador for bio-dynamic carbon neutral drinks brand, Mude and an incredible bio-circular fashion brand called Aqua and Rock who just launched their flagship store in Covent Garden over London Fashion Week. I have also recently been appointed as a Kindness Champion for UNESCO MGIEP’s #KindnessMatters Campaign and will be performing at the 3rd World Youth Conference on Kindness on October 2nd. Together with my friend and Patron Dame Tessy Antony de Nassau, we are working with the Kindness Matters council to create the first International Day of Kindness this November 13th. So far, we have collected over 1m stories of kindness but we would love for everybody to share their act of kindness as we believe Kindness can be a leading force to achieve the 17 Sustainable Development Goals set out for us by the United Nations to help us achieve the 2030 agenda. If you'd like to share your act of kindness, we would love to hear from you, so please share here: https://mgiep.unesco.org/kindness or send to me on Instagram.

What do you like doing in your spare time?

I am lucky to do what I love in my career, so I love making more music in my spare time, making greek salads and generally love exploring new ideas and places.

What’s the weirdest thing that’s ever happened to you while working on a project?

I guess signing both a management deal with my incredible manager, Lisa Wasserstein of A Different Corner and a label deal with Tileyard Music during lockdown was definitely weird and at the same time wonderful. The fact I could digitally connect and release a debut single so remotely really shows the tenacity of the digital revolution that’s been accelerated through the challenging times we have experienced.

I was in Los Angeles before lockdown and ended up staying with Hedda and Cedric Leonardi, drummer for the Gipsy Kings at a eco-mansion style Treehouse in Bel-Air. We wrote an EP’s worth of dream pop that’s so far unreleased. That was pretty epic and very magical… and maybe, definitely also weird, in a good way.

Where would you like to be in 5 years time?

I’d love to have a couple of albums out. All the things I’m up to now but a bigger platform to do more of what I love with incredible people and collaborate with some amazing musicians. I’d very much like to start my own NGO.