With her distinctive sound, BIMM Dublin Alumna Farah Elle’s latest release ‘Sunblock’ does not disappoint. It’s taken from her upcoming Album FATIMA and we’re super excited to hear more from this up-and-coming artist.
What was your inspiration when you began writing the album?
It was sort of a coming-of-age time in my life. I was really inspired by the world around me, the role that culture clash played in my life and how new the environment of college was for me. Being around other artists and having so much newfound freedom was a lot to take in. I put my perspective about this time into songs as therapy for myself.
Are there any artists that inspire you when writing?
I grew up on Lupe Fiasco, Amy Winehouse, The Specials, TOOL, System of a Down, Rage Against the Machine, A Tribe Called Quest – the list goes on. The one thing that all of these artists have in common is strong lyrics and sincere energy/delivery. It’s important to me to carry a strong message and to mean what I say in my songs.
What is key to your sound and how do you make your music stand out?
This is a great question! I love organic sounds, interesting acoustics, hearing how a person is feeling when they sing – so, I try to incorporate these things into the music.
Spirituality plays a large role in any writing process and using my mother tongue is key. Making sure it comes from the heart. It feels different to sing in our native modes or language – in my case, this is Libyan Arabic. Expressing myself authentically to my best ability while keeping it natural and not forcing anything either is key.
How does your songwriting process work?
It used to always be piano first and then the lyrics. However, when you’re on the go, sometimes you’ve just got to jot things down in a notebook or record a voicenote in your phone if a melody comes to mind. I like to keep a good flow, clear desk, drink water and have snacks handy. Taking a “whatever” approach really works for me too.
Describe your sound in 3 words…
Eclectic, ethereal, earthy.
How has studying at BIMM helped you develop as an artist?
It taught me about the reality of the music industry: the shiny parts and the not so shiny parts. Studying at BIMM was a very socially educational time.
What’s next for you?
I’m super determined to finish off the mixes from the album and start releasing everything I’ve been working on. There’s so much music in my repertoire that nobody has heard. Doing everything independently has been great for learning and now I’m excited to work with a label or management in order to take things to the next level.
Stay up to date with Farah Elle via her social media channel below.
Soundcloud// Facebook// Twitter // Instagram
Photo by Abe Neihum
