Meet this week’s multi talented, multicultural Feature Artist.
Born in Tokyo before moving to Australia in her mid-teens, it’s about damn time we formally introduced you to this producer, violinist and singer because she’s already going global.
Let’s give a very warm welcome to Elle Shimada!
The story for this week’s Feature Artist starts in the capital city of Japan.
Playing with a cassette player from a very early age, you could really say that music has always been a part of Elle Shimada’s life.
“I think even before I knew that I was a musician, I was on that producer tip already”
With her mum being a singer, Elle Shimada’s upbringing was very musical only proving that creativity is embedded deep within her roots.
As she grew up, the role music played in her life became more intentional. She describes getting more “intimate” with music when she moved down under at fifteen years old.
“I didn't speak a word of English so music became a way for me to connect with other people when I migrated to so called Australia”
Always staying true to herself, Elle Shimada’s songs straddle the space between making sense of her place in the world and pushing the sonic boundaries of different genres.
And people have been catching on!
Using her music as a way of “archiving [her] feelings” she's connecting with audiences from many different pockets of the world!
“I've always dreamt of getting out of where I came from and experiencing the world, but I never thought I could travel all across the world with music”
Drawing inspiration from the likes of flying lotus, FKA twigs and Arca, Elle Shimada’s music captures a cinematic aura and an other-worldly atmosphere.
Incorporating "thickly layered string lines making tender love to heavy new-jazz influenced beats” some would describe her music as eclectic or genre defying but she’s just making music that expresses feeling.
“My recent tracks are really raw and emotional, I'm all over the place. My songs are just my emotions”
And audiences have been showing up for her in live spaces far beyond our shores.
Having already toured different parts of Australia as well as Asia and more recently wrapping up a bunch of shows in America as part of her South By Southwest appearance. It’s safe to say that Elle Shimada has been on the move this past year.
“These shows have made me feel a little bit like I made it”
In a year of growth and challenging herself, she’s already gone global. She’s taking her dance floor pulsing masterpieces infused with visionary and edgy production and even playing at festivals such as RISING and VIVID.
And this is only the beginning.
Elle Shimada is an act we’re absolutely buzzing about at Unearthed HQ.
We’re certain she’s destined for a long and fruitful career and word on the street a debut album is already on the way. Titled Home Isn’t A Location, here’s the 101 on what it’s about.
“I know that taking home away from Indigenous people in so called Australia wasn't the way to feel at home so the album is really about finding a sense of home in my community, in my music, in my body, in the stories that I share with and in the people who surround me”