A Quick Chat with Ella Therese

With her new empowering tune that is a reminder to continue to chase your dreams, regardless of age, Ella Therese has released ‘THIRTYFOUR’. Recently turning 34, Ella Therese is calling out the emphasis on youth and the perpetuating ideal that there is a 'limited time' to achieve success. Written as a response to her initial feeling of being ‘too old’, particularly as a female artist, Therese is hoping to keep this topical conversation going to inspire and celebrate a breaking down of these social constructions. We’ve caught up with her to talk more about this. ‘THIRTYFOUR’ is out now.


Can you tell us about the new track and what you want people to take away from it?

THIRTYFOUR started as being my own personal affirmation - a reminder that it's never too late to do whatever the hell you want in life! I wrote it when I was starting out with music around 31 years old and it's been a crowd favourite of my set ever since. Releasing it around my 34th birthday has been a great reflection for me for how far I've come, and a reminder that my high expectation and ambitions are part of who I am and I'm going to embrace that. I hope it's an inspiration for others to do what sets their soul on fire, no matter what anyone thinks. 


Why do you think it is important to have this discussion around ageism within the creative industry?

There are always going to be barriers and challenges in life, whether they are real or perceived, in our own heads or in others, and this song is all about not letting anything get in your way. It's easy to feel 'too old' to be a woman starting out in music in my thirties, but there is also a great opportunity to reframe my own thinking and use it to my advantage. This track is a reminder for me, and hopefully others. 


Do you have any advice for anyone who may have felt these barriers?

I suppose what helps me is realising that I'm always in control of what I do, and I can't control anything else. Great art and great music speaks for itself, and your fans and audience usually don't care about these kinds of things, so just keep making great stuff and building connections with people. 


What's the creative process for you, from writing through to recording?

Some aspects of the process are unique to the songs, and some parts stay the same. Usually, I tend to start with beats and rhythms - this is where I feel most creative and inspired, and from there I layer other instruments, parts and usually a vocal melody with some scatting. Lyrics usually come later for me once I've set up a mood and feeling of the song, then I usually work with a co producer to refine the demo and get it sounding slicko, plus record vocals in a studio. THIRTYFOUR was a little different in that I started it more traditionally on the guitar with chords and went from there. 


What do you think makes a great song?

A vibing beat and excellent melody


If you could collaborate with any artist, who would it be and why?

Christine and the Queens is my hero, and I love her production and melody's - plus her dancing!

But also Banks, Phoebe Bridges or Joy Crookes - I absolutely love their lyrics and melodies.


When not working on music, what other creative outlet/s do you have?

Dancing is my other love, although don't find the time to do this much. 

I work full time in arts management, so am forever involved in incredible creative projects which is a delight! 


Who are some local bands we should check out?

Perth has so many! Indoor Fins are rockin, and Old Blood are just heaven (Tony Papa-Adams features on an ET song with that incredible voice!). Also loving the sounds of Ken Paolo on the Space Cadets, and Siobhan Cotchin. 


Winter or summer and why?

Summer for ever, the coast has my heart. 


What else do you have planned for the year?

More music! My next single will come out in Jan before I head into the studio to hopefully finish an EP. 

Not before I get married in October though...

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