Artist Spotlight: EFÉ
Indie music. The vaguest genre of them all. Originally a term of endearment for artists who approach creation in a individualistic manner, the phrase was diluted by the later years of Britpop and ruined by the era of four floppy haired white boys with guitars dragging the four chord love song through the mud. In the late 10’s, indie was as good as dead. Now it’s back, revitalised, ravishing and ready to stamp its mark on the industry. Why? Thanks to artists like Lava La Rue, dexter, Rachel Chinouriri, and Dublin’s EFÉ.
The title of EFÉ’s new EP, Vitamin - C, is a perfect representation of the mood and tone that the project emits. Listening to the five sun-kissed sizzlers is like eating a sharp, juicy and nutritious tangerine. Bursting with vitality and vibrancy, the singer/songwriter dazzles atop the uplifting, colourful palettes; her brushstrokes broad and bohemian, with a clear structure to her sonic musings. It’s hazy and wholesome, thoughtful and anthemic; the work of an artist who has found their sound and is beginning to shape their own sonic narrative. Thematically, EFÉ delves through themes like doubt, idealisation, fragility and navigation, sketching a poignant picture of life, love and success.
It’s been a swift rise for the Dublin songstress, who, since the success of her 2020 debut EP What Should We Do This Summer, has gone on to play various festivals including Glastonbury, and supported the legendary JPEGMAFIA at his Dublin show. With the new EP fresh in listener’s ears, EFÉ will be heading out on a UK/EU tour with Still Woozy this November.
I sat down with EFÉ to chat about the fluidity of her sound, her Dublin roots, her writing style, and the hit-laden EP.
Who and what influences you?
So many things! People like Mort Garson, Tyler the Creator, or director Sofia Coppola as well as the people I surround my self with. Sooooo many things influence me. Music, movies, images and random things from everyday life as cringe as it may sound.
When and how did you write start writing?
I started off writing songs just in my room, it started off as jokey rap songs on GarageBand then slowly I tried making my own song songs. I met my friend Hansel (producer who.killed.romeo) and we connected so well personally and creatively and started making music together.
Tedious question, but how would you personally define your musical style?
Definitely like alternative / indie pop I think best describes my style of music although there are many genres that influence the sound!
Your sound, for me, crosses a lot of generic boundaries. Is this purposeful, or do you just create as naturally as possible and see what comes out of it?
It’s definitely not on purpose! I feel like I listen to an array of different genres and that translate into the music that is make cause I’m of the mindset that I wanna make music that I want to hear ! :)
Where do you want to take your sound? Do you want to experiment with genre?
As of right now I’m not entirely sure, I think I still want to experiment with the genres I enjoy and see what comes out of it!
How has it being entering the music scene being outside of the UK / London?
It’s so hard to compare as I don’t have many friends within the London music scene but I do feel like there I’ve had some luck with the people that I’ve met along this journey so far.
What’s your opinion on the Dublin scene?
It’s growing and just getting wayyyyyy better !!
What’s your advice to other Irish artists who want to break through in the UK?
I feel like it’s weird giving advice as I feel like I haven’t fully broken through. I feel like the only reasonable advice that I can give is picking the right people and right team as well as really truly trusting your gut instinct and always always always pushing to do your best in all aspects like the music but also the visual aspect.
I love how you write, how do you juggle self-reflection and outward observation so effectively?
Wow, thank you! Sometimes it can be from freestyle, I feel like trusting that initial reaction to a sound and how it makes you feel is so important. I also always try to bring myself to a certain time I may be writing about. How I felt, what was said etc. I think that’s how it helps me both reflect but also give that outward observation, and an outlook from different perspectives.
How has your sound progressed since your debut 2020 project ‘What Should We Do This Summer’?
Honestly… better hahaha. I feel like there is an incorporations of more genres and I really wanted to incorporate music I enjoy listening to, that’s why it may sound all over the place but also cool!
How are you feeling about the release of the upcoming 'VITAMIN - C'?
I’m kind of nervous. It’s been hard to even think about it with how busy it has been recently with all the festivals that I’ve been so lucky to perform at. Balancing it all has been crazy but I’m so so so excited about it
Talk me through the main themes and concepts of the EP
So VITAMIN- C (the C stands for codependency!!) haha. It was a time in my life where I found myself extremely codependent on other people and forgot how to even depend on myself … that’s why songs on the EP like 'Loving Girl' are important because it was the first time I tried to produce a song. Not being entirely dependent on another person, creatively. I tried to put matters in to my own hands and booooom! I actually managed to make it. I think it’s a song I’m most proud of!
But along with that you can hear themes of codependency throughout the EP, like in 'LIME', where it’s about this manager who tried to make me feel like I needed them in order to succeed. Trying to sway me with money and the connections but in my gut I just knew there was something more. I’m glad I made that decision.
What do you want listeners to take away from it?
That you can truly trust yourself !! And that you can depend on people, that’s okay - but not forgetting that you yourself are capable of making your dreams a reality. I also want listeners to hopefully go away inspired.
14. You played Glasto, how was that?!
It was insane!… Like nothing makes sense… I’m still thinking about it now and cannot comprehend that it occurred. It was so fun and new, but I wish the toilets were better!!
15. What other shows have you got coming up?
I have my own show coming up it’s gonna be an “EFÉ, END OF SUMMER PARTY”! It’s gonna be fun and full of surprises. I can’t wait! It's on Thursday, August 11th at Dublin's Academy 2. I'm also going on tour with Still Woozy in November through the UK and Europe which is gonna be insane! Again…. I cannot comprehend how this is all occurring..
16. If you were introducing yourself to a new listener, what track would you play them?
LISTEN TO LIME
17. What’s to come from you?
Success! More creative endeavours! Cool Ideas! Cool Shows! I’m just so excited!