Exclusive Interview with EDM Vocalist Elleah

Born and raised in the Phillipines, singer/songwriter and former DJ, Elleah is known as the songstress behind such EDM hits as “Walk on Water” and most recently “These Walls” and “Keep the Fire” alongside DJ/Producer Ashley Wallbridge on his debut album, The Inner Me. After moving to Los Angeles in 2003, Elleah originally came from a background in R&B and played in a band under Rising Star Records at the age of 17. The songbird decided to pursue electronic dance music in 2009 and has already worked with such talent as Marcus Schossow and Starkillers. Elleah even helps aspiring singers with songwriting to help spread the love of the music. We had to chat with this adorable lady with a powerful sound in our latest EDMinsider.com interview!

EDMinsider 1. Beginning your career in an R&B band at the age of 17, when did you decide to transition your talents to the electronic dance music scene? What made you switch genres?

Elleah: My love for the EDM started way back before I even understood what “EDM” really meant. Don’t laugh, but I was one of those people who called it techno back then! I’ve always loved Cascada and Alice Deejay, and I used to sing along to their music. I thought that maybe it’s something I could do, in addition to what I was already aspiring towards with R&B. The transition itself didn’t really happen until two to three years ago when I decided to put a demo together with a good friend of mine. From then, I thought “Hey, I can really relate to this music on a deeper, emotional level–let’s see what I can do!” By this time, it also really helped that I had grown to love this genre that seems to keep evolving.

EDMinsider 2.Your first single alongside Ashley Wallbridge with “Walk on Water” back in 2010 received rave reviews and was featured on radio shows such as Armin van Buuren’s A State of Trance. How did you first start working with Ashley Wallbridge on collaborations?

Elleah: I met Ashley in Los Angeles at one of his shows back in July of 2010. Before his set, he and I got into talking about music, and I mentioned that I’m a singer and songwriter. He asked me to send him some of my demos, which I did as soon I got home. The next thing you know, he sent me a piano piece which I wrote on. That’s when “Walk on Water” was born. From there we’ve collaborated on a few more tracks that are featured on his album that just released.

EDMinsider 3. Having already worked with such DJ/Producers as Ashley Wallbridge, Marcus Schossow and Starkillers; who are some producers you would like to collaborate with in the future? Why?

Elleah: I’ve always wanted to work with Kaskade. His music has always touched me. Personally, I’m slowly gearing off of progressive house and/or trance music, so it’s really sort of another transition for me. My voice has a touch of soul to it, and I feel that I can reach my full vocal potential by singing on perhaps more house/electro house, or even dubstep tracks. If there’s any opportunity at all, I would love to work with Laidback Luke or Skrillex. That would be a dream comes true for me. I have so much respect for their talent and modesty. I have had the pleasure to meet with Luke at SXSW, and his great attitude with his strong sense of passion for what he does just blew me away. With Sonny, I met him at Cinespace in LA before he was known as Skrillex years back. He was playing at the side room that night, and we talked for a few minutes about his music and what I have worked on, as well. We tried to do a collaboration, but as most things are in the music industry, schedule conflicts flair up (mostly his busy schedule), but I’m hoping we’d cross paths again someday!

EDMinsider 4. With Miami Music Week beginning, what would you say has been the break out EDM song of the year thus far? Why?

Elleah: Ferry Corsten’s “Ain’t No Stoppin‘” is such a big tune this year! It’s very, what’s the word, “innovative,” and definitely different from all the songs that I’ve heard before. “Speak Up” by Laidback Luke is another one that I love. I heard him play it at one of his shows here in Austin, and the feedback from the crowd was amazing.

EDMinsider 5.You currently have two new songs alongside Wallbridge on his new album, “The Inner Me” entitled “Keep the Fire” and “These Walls”. How has your sound progressed as a vocalist since your first release with Wallbridge?

Elleah: Well, since “Walk on Water” was my first EDM release really, I wasn’t sure how I wanted, or how it should sound. For me at the time, it was more important to fit in and sound like almost everyone else, just so people would like my music. I felt if I sang it how I normally would, it might not have been as well accepted. With the new tunes I have with Wallbridge, I was able to really use my musical background, especially on the track “These Walls.” There were a lot of emotions as I layed down the vocals, and I added an occasional hint of soul as a texture. It’s a side for me which is hard for me to not embrace! I grew up with so many different female vocalists of different genres as inspiration, so I think it’s great to be able to highlight that in these tracks. With “Keep The Fire,” I was able to really belt out versus, all while being all breathy and cute. I just want to keep trying to be myself (vocally), and you will hear what I mean by that soon in a forthcoming release!

EDMinsider 6. Where does your inspiration for songwriting come from? What or whom currently inspires your music?

Elleah: At first, I write from experience. I previously found it difficult to write about the life story of someone else, rather than myself. I just wrote about my life’s past, the struggles, how I see my life, the future, my heartbreaks, my happy endings, etc. I then got better with channeling my inner self and putting myself in other people’s shoes, and wrote about their struggles, or some kind of encouragement to help them cope. The listeners of your songs go through different experiences every day; chances are, they will be able to relate. That’s my biggest inspiration now. How can I get this message out of my head and into my fans’ hearts? THEY are my biggest inspiration for that! However, if it’s about love, of course, my inspiration is my other half.

EDMinsider 7. What advice can you give to young singer/songwriters looking to break into the world of electronic dance music?

Elleah: Don’t be afraid to reach out to others for help. Everyone has their own struggles; I still do — a lot! The biggest thing I have learned though in this industry, not just EDM, but the whole music industry is that people lose hope due to numerous turn-downs and disappointments. Doors will shut close right on your face; be ready to deal with that over and over again. Just remember, these people have a window open somewhere, use it, climb in, and what’s the worst that can happen? Shut you down again? Well, just move forward!

EDMinsider 8. What new music or tours are in store for Elleah throughout the course of the year?

Elleah: I am so excited about the new music coming out. I have a dubstep track edit with the new upcoming duo Torch. I also have a tune with Marcus Schossow, which I co-wrote with the wonderful Jaren (Cerf, Mitiska & Jaren). As for house music, I am currently working with two of my favorite house duos, Manufactured Superstars, and Green & Falkner. Touring wise, I’m not so sure yet. It’s hard to tour at the moment when you’re still building a library of songs. I am hopeful that a lot of “big things” that are being solidified will work out soon, and we can announce them briefly! I’m excited for everything happening within EDM, and I’m very grateful that my music is being released! I hope the listeners enjoy them, just as much as I have enjoyed putting my heart and soul into putting these records together. Thanks for the chat, EDM Insider!