Following on from the rapturous response to her much-loved debut EP 'End Of The Line' last year, US artist Elaine Eagle is now back for 2024 to deliver her wondrous new single 'Atlas'.
Capturing more of that sweet and tender indie-folk aesthetic she has been building for herself, 'Atlas' makes for an incredibly rich and dreamy listen. With her spellbinding vocal performance spread across a dynamic production from start to finish, she is returning to the fold with one of her most impactful efforts to date here.
So with the new single available to stream now, we sat down with her to find out more about her origins and what has been inspiring her most lately.
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What was the first instrument you fell in love with?
I began playing the piano at age 10 and it’s been a love story ever since. Through my adolescence, I was progressing through a lot of classical music and I loved the challenge- my parents never even had to nag me to practice! The piano has always been there for me throughout the phases of my life; it is a wonderful place to release a lot of emotion.
What kind of music did you love when you were younger?
One of my favourite things when I was little was riding around doing errands with my dad, partly because that meant we got to listen to ‘dad’s music’. I grew up around a lot of classic rock and classic country from my dad (some favourites still include Led Zeppelin, Queen, The Beatles, Pink Floyd, Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson). I am very grateful to my parents for introducing me to a lot of great music early in life; I definitely believe that it has shaped my music taste over the years, and now it continues to influence the music that I write.
What was the first album you remember owning?
An album I remember vividly from growing up was The Beatles “1”; the red and yellow cover is imprinted strongly in my memory. When I had my first car I was ecstatic to be able to listen to the music I wanted, whenever I wanted! The first CD that I bought to put in my car was Alan Jackson’s “Greatest Hits Volume II”. I still think it’s a great album!
What is the one song you wished you could have written yourself?
Dolly Parton’s “Here You Come Again”. The piano part is so effortlessly fantastic and it’s got such a great hook. The lyrics are simple and effective, the instrumentation is catchy and it just screams “Dolly”. It’s a song that instantly feels like sunshine and it always puts me in a good mood.
Do you have any habits or rituals you go through when trying to write new music?
I often think better when I’m comfortable and able to be free in my body. Therefore, I have found that sitting on the floor, especially for writing lyrics, is very calming and effective. I have a fuzzy, pink rug in my office for precisely that purpose.
Who are your favourite artists you have found yourself listening to at the moment?
Without a doubt, my top artist of the moment is Hozier. He is absolutely brilliant, both vocally and as a songwriter. His songs are so beautiful, it’s like being drawn into a mystical world. I also listen to a lot of cinematic scores, and some of my current favourites are the “Oppenheimer” score by Ludwig Goransson, and (an old favourite) “How to Train Your Dragon” by John Powell.
If you could open a show for anyone in the world, who would it be?
Probably Hozier. Or Taylor Swift. That way I could go to every show of The Eras Tour for free!
What do you find is the most rewarding part about being a musician?
This might sound a little sadistic, but it is very rewarding to me when my music has made someone cry. Or smile, or laugh too! Really, the fact that other people feel strong emotions in connection to my songs is incredible to me and I am very very grateful whenever anyone shares their feelings about my music. It is a beautiful exchange of emotional energy between artist and listener.
And what is the most frustrating part?
I get very frustrated when musicians are not properly paid for their work. Artists of all kinds should be fairly compensated for the work that they do and the beauty and humanity that they help bring to the world. As a young, female musician, there have been times already in my career when I have had to push back in order to be paid, and I think it is an unfortunate reality in this industry.
And what is the best piece of advice you have received as a musician?
A musician friend of mine hired me at their venue a few years ago for an event they were holding. When I saw the large buffet and sheepishly asked if I could snag a bite to eat after my set, she grabbed me by the shoulders, looked me in the eyes and said “Never play somewhere where they won’t feed you.” It was a simple statement, but I have never forgotten it, and it has proved to be a good litmus test for me. Essentially, if somewhere is willing to have you play, but not willing to treat you with hospitality and respect, then move along.
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Elaine Eagle's new single 'Atlas' is available to stream now. Check it out in the player below.