Elohim Talks “Love, Light, and Inspiration”

LA-based artist/producer Elohim is yet to release her first full-length, but her musical career has already had a plethora of big moments… including a few in our vicinity.  Last...

LA-based artist/producer Elohim is yet to release her first full-length, but her musical career has already had a plethora of big moments… including a few in our vicinity.  Last year she played the Firefly Festival shortly before a spot supporting Alison Wonderland at the Factory.  Elohim is currently preparing for the release of her self-titled debut album, which hits shelves April 27, on a massive tour, which will currently take her through the first week in July.  She just started a batch of headlining dates, which will have her at Coda this Friday, March 23rd, but she will return in the very near future when she’s doing a run opening for The Glitch Mob, which will make a stop at The Fillmore on June 6th.  In addition, she has a number of quite huge festivals on her calendar (I’ll let her tell you about that.)  Elohim’s sounds are whimsically quirky and, although she’s regularly regarded as “an electronic musician,” much of her music sounds nearly as indebted to piano pop and psychedelic pop as it is the kind of sounds she shares with her fellow divas of the postmodern persuasion.  Last week I got a chance to chat with Elohim, who told me about her first few years in the industry and the kinds of things that inspire her.

Izzy: I know this is a big question but, considering that your musical career is still relatively new, with your debut album yet to drop, what have been some of the highlights of the early part of your career so far?

Elohim: I would have to say that seeing myself on a billboard last week for Spotify in Times Square was truly monumental for me. It is something you think you can only dream of, and to see it come to fruition was so humbling. Another highlight was selling out my very first headlining show in Los Angeles at the Echoplex. I thought no one would be there and nine hundred and fifty people showed up! Incredible.

Izzy: Have you had any favorite reactions to your work?

Elohim: The interactions I have with the wonderful humans who come to my live performances is probably my favorite thing in the world. There is so much genuine, endearing emotion. It feels amazing to be surrounded by that type of love and unity after opening my world up. I am always blown away when another artist sends me a message saying they are a massive fan. That is always a wild experience and sensation.

Izzy: What would you consider to be your most significant influences, both musical and otherwise?

Elohim: Thom Yorke. Michel Gondry. Art Tatum. Each of them have beautiful minds that have inspired me countless times.

Izzy: I really love your music videos (especially “Skinny Legs” and “Hallucinating”), in addition to your own personal style.  What is it that inspires the visual elements of your work?  Do you have any particular favorite visual artists or “style icons?”

Elohim: Björk and Matthew Barney had a very profound effect on my initial desires to create alternative realities, visually. Sight and sound are such a wonderful pair and when it is perfectly synced and created as one piece magic is ignited. I adore the style and fashion of Ann Demeulemeester, Alexander McQueen, and Helmut Lang.

Izzy: You have a ton of upcoming live dates, including some really big festivals.  Are there any shows you’re especially excited to play, or just cities you’re especially excited to visit or revisit?

Elohim: I cannot wait to play Coachella – that is another dream of mine from growing up in Los Angeles. Electric Forest is another festival I’ve heard so many great things about. To be honest though there is absolutely nothing like playing headlining shows and being able to create a world people can come into. A place they can let their worries and fears go, come together and all leave as one, totally refreshed.

Izzy: Finally, what can be expected of the live experience when you play here at Coda?

Elohim: I can only hope and dream that my performance at Coda will bring love, light, and inspiration into the hearts of whomever walks through the door and joins me on the journey. It is a visual audio experience for anyone open to it. We also dance a lot and let go, which is always fun 🙂

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Band InterviewsLive EventsMusic

During the day Izzy Cihak teaches transgression, subversion, and revolution at Temple University. At night he haunts Philthy's best venues to cover worthwhile acts for Philthy Mag. Morrissey is everything to him and, in their own heads, all of his friends see themselves as Zooey Deschanel.

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