It’s no secret that we’re big fans of our next featured Artist, following him since about 2009 we were hooked at first listen! Keeping up with his music and development we were lucky enough to host both him and Mexicans With Guns back at our 2013 1st ever Neon Sound Machine Showcase that was just bonkers! Fast forward to 2014 and it’s our pleasure to announce he was just featured on our 1st ever Neon Sound Machine compilation released July 7th and it’s banging!
We were lucky enough to catch up to the California native for a little Q&A check it out…..
Sev: So for those who aren’t familiar with you and your music, who are you and where are you from?
I’m Elan. That’s my name and what I release music under its all one and the same. I grew up in the hood in Los Angeles. You know you’re in a rough neighborhood when you have you use a relative’s address to go to a decent school.
Sev: What is your earliest memory of music?
Both of my parents were big music fans. My dad was always playing music around the house and in the car. My mom plays a variety of instruments like the accordion, hammer dulcimer, and recorder. She used to bring me and my brother along to various folk music parties and festivals with her when we were younger, so I really grew up surrounded by music. I was never really interested in sports or anything like that, but I took piano lessons for 8 years starting in 2nd grade.
Sev: What’s been your craziest “Green Room” experience thus far?
Nothing too crazy to be honest, I’m usually just sitting around waiting to go home and happy that I have somewhere to chill that’s a little quieter than out on the club floor.
Sev: Do you have any rituals that you do to prepare for a show? I usually don’t plan my sets out until right up to the last minute, so I’m usually freaking out a little bit. By the time I get to the venue, I decide IDGAF, and then I’m good.
Sev: There’s a lot of new music out there these days, what are you listening to? what do you recommend?
I’ve been listening to more vocal driven music lately. I really like R&B and Soul influenced stuff, even more on the Pop side of the spectrum. I think Pop gets a bad rep because people equate Pop with “commercial”. Singers like Jessy Lanza, Jessie Ware, Sampha are dope to me because they have some depth and feel “real” yet are still accessible to a larger audience. I’m also really excited about the stuff my friends and musical peers are making right now, its crazy how we all came together a few years ago making similar music and now everyone’s work has evolved to be much more distinct.
Sev: How can people find your music or get connected to you?