La Roux

La Roux Interview

Despite the name, and the debut single ''Quicksand'' released on a French label Kitsune, La Roux are not French, she is in fact from South London. This 80's influenced electropop synth duo with a modern twist, comprising of singer/synth player Elly Jackson and co-producer Ben Langmaid, are looking forward to a bright 2009, having been tipped by the BBC and The Guardian as ''Sound of 2009'' and ''Best New Acts of 2009''. With many exciting prospects lined up in the coming months, including main support on Lily Allen's UK tour and the second single out in March. A lot more of their nostalgic but new catchy melodies with Elly’s unforgettable and heartfelt voice, as well as remixes by trendy electro artists will soon intrude into and remain lodged in our brain.
We seized the opportunity to interview Elly, in hope they will come to Japan very soon...

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- How long have you been making music for? Can you tell us how you first started making music?

 
E: I have played guitar since I was six but I started making music with Ben when I was 16.

- Who are your favourite musicians that made you want to be a singer?

E: The Eurythmics, Prince, Michael Jackson.

- If you had a superpower or a time machine, who in the world of music would you replace or erase regardless of dead or alive?

E: Mick Hucknall. No question. 

- I read ''La Roux'' means in French ''red-haired one'', and you had a single out on Kitsune. Do you have any more French connections you want to tell us about?

E: I turn into a frog every full moon.

- What is your single, ''Quicksand'' about? Is this from personal experience or do you write from a more observational viewpoint?

E: I always write from personal experience, but it's slightly irrelevant what it means ''exactly'' to me, it's about whatever you want it to be about. That's the whole point of songs for me. That you can relate them to your own experiences, but basically its about a that yearning feeling.

- Choose one word that best describes your sound.

E: .......... You chose one.

- What kind of equipment do you use to create your music?

E: A mixture of old and new synths and that’s about it.

- You are known to be from Brixton. How would you define yourself as a South Londoner?

E: I live and grew up in South London...  

youtube : La Roux - In For The Kill

- You are going to do a tour with Lily Allen from this March. Can you tell us your expectations for that?

E: A chance to play bigger venues and get some invaluable live experience.

- What else is happening with La Roux this year?

E: Live, album, live. Breathing and eating.

youtube : La Roux LIVE @Somewhere in the Universe 2009

- Have you ever been to Japan? What's your impression of the country?

E: I have never been but I hope to go soon, it sounds amazing.

Website : http://www.laroux.c o.uk/

Written by Chika Aoki