Melbourne artist TEDDY ELK writes emotionally charged, intimate and heart felt song with new single ‘Doors’. If you’re a fan of Gang of Youths, City Calm Down or Northeast Party House, you’re going to love this new emerging high-schooler!
Tell us about and describe your music. How did this project begin?
My music for the past couple of years has been a cathartic output for any emotions or experiences I’ve had or that friends have gone through. I’ve known since I was about 15 that I wanted to pursue a music career but I didn’t really do anything towards it other than record demos to my phone until last year. TEDDY ELK is a name that I came up with over fish and chips with my personal drummer and dear friend Ari Kakris.
You’re at the final end of Year 12, how do you balance both school and music?
If I’m honest, I don’t. It’s been a huge challenge to focus on school with everything that’s been going on since I released my latest single ‘Doors’. I do what work I can for school and resort to music in every spare second I have.
Do you have any advice for those in the same position as you?
Of course! Year 12 is important but it’s definitely not the be all and end all. You’ve just got to decide what your priorities are. Mine is music.
When you’re not at school and not playing or making music, what are you up to?
Cruising around town in my sweet silver 2002 Holden Astra. I've also just started watching Suits again.
Where do you draw inspiration for making music from?
Inspiration for me has often come from relationships and stories but sometimes it just appears.
You’ve just released your brand new single ‘Doors’, can you tell us a little more about this track?
‘Doors’ is a song that came into being alongside another track which I was working on for Unearthed High. It wasn’t until I hit a wall with this track (that may or may not be released soon) that I decided to revisit ‘Doors’ and move it from acoustic guitar to synth. I wrote the lyrics while reflecting on a relationship that I’d just come out of and it was a pivotal point for moving on for me.
What’s your song writing process like?
I almost always start songs with improvising over a riff or chord progression before I try to develop them further. After I’ve got a central idea, I’ll usually attempt to understand what the hell I’m actually talking about and find more lyrics for the theme of the song.
What was the last gig you went to? How was it?
The last gig I went to was Northeast Party House at The Croxton. I’ve seen them a bunch of times naturally and that show is up there with the best!
If you were to open the stage for any artist, band or musician, who would it be and why?
Frank Ocean! I’ve listened to both of his albums back to front and inside out. It would just be an honour to open for someone who creates such powerful imagery through music.
Tell us about the bands or people in the Melbourne music community that inspire and motivate you.
Temper Trap, Remi, City Calm Down, Northeast Party House and my brother Zach, as well as my parents and Lindsey Field.
What are the plans for the rest of 2017?
Well, first off is finishing school, schoolies and writing new music. Then the current plan is to get ready to release another track, or two, and get ready for 2018. It’s going to be a big one!