Backed by a brand new single and a plethora of experience immersed in songwriting and music, creative artist Ella Mar kindly stopped by to talk about the process and purpose behind High Anyway. We also discuss her aspirations looking ahead, her touring plans, and who inspires her. Here’s the conversation in full.
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Hi Ella, great to chat with you – thanks for the opportunity. For those new to your music, how would you describe your creative approach?
Hi there! Great to chat with you too. I think I would describe my approach as emotional and personal, yet (hopefully) artful. I like taking feeling and thinking of how it would sound, speak and sing.
High Anyway is the latest single, a beautifully enchanting release with a brilliantly memorable resolve for the hook. Tell us about the track – how did it come to be, and what does it represent for you?
So my producer Shahar Elisof and I finished recording High Anyway right at the beginning of the pandemic, and I wrote it in the latter half of 2019. For me, it is a love letter dedicated to anyone struggling with mental illness, and particularly for those who have experienced self-medication, which can mean a lot of different things. It’s so people feel less alone in their worst moments, you know?
Do you write from an acoustic setting initially, then produce around that, or do you produce the soundtrack first, work with other creatives – what’s the process?
I definitely write from an acoustic setting, usually on my guitar, and then produce around that. I also love bringing new songs to my trio to kind of test of the waters and try different things. Many times, after we do that, I’ll know exactly what the song needs to sound better.
What would you say has changed most notably about your sound, or your perspective and aim as an artist, since the 2019 album Embodimental?
I think I have definitely grown a lot as a lyricist. English is not my first language, it is actually my third, so I try to keep reading, keep analyzing lyrics from artists I admire, and hone my craft in that aspect.
I think I am also less afraid to lean into a more rock-like sound at times, especially when I’m singing. Sometimes that’s just what my emotions sound like.
Your lyrics walk a fine line between hypnotically poetic and profoundly personal. Who inspires you in that respect – do you read much poetry or literature, or have certain other songwriters impacted your affinity for imagery and honesty as a creative?
Thank you!
I do love reading literature, sometimes poetry too but not as much. I’ve always loved words and the different mysterious ways we can play with them. I love thinking of it as creative honesty.
As for songwriters, I would say the ones who impacted me most in that aspect would be Fiona Apple, Mitski, St. Vincent, Lorde, Thom Yorke.
Is there a longer project on the way?
Yes 🙂 I have an E.P. that’s already fully written and we will start recording this year!
If you could sit down to create music with anyone at all, past or present, who would you choose, and why?
Oh man. I think Fiona Apple. She’s just the coolest. Honestly, we don’t even have to create anything at all. Just sitting down and talking would do it for me.
Will you be playing live much this year, and if so, will that be solo acoustic, full band, electronic, or something in between?
I will definitely be playing live at least a few shows in the second half of this year. It will be something in between an acoustic trio and electronic setting. You’ll have to wait and see 🙂
Is there anything else we should know?
There is a lot happening this year that I’m excited about and I think you should join the ride!
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Header Photo by Maya Baran. Find Ella Mar on Facebook, Instagram & her Website.
