Interview with ELLE MB

ELLE MB is the moniker of classically trained vocalist Lina M.B. A native Berliner, she grew up in West Berlin in the early 2000s and spent her childhood being exposed to all genres of music. She found her teenage-self listening and dancing along to the iconic soundwaves of Lauryn Hill, D‘Angelo and James Blake, and those influences shine through in her own music.

ELLE MB’s music oscillates between the genres of Pop, Neo-Soul and contemporary R’n’B with a sprinkle of jazz-harmony and a soft spot for detailed sound-design. On ‘Roleplay’, Lina’s distinctively velvety vocals take centre stage alongside a driving live drum groove and airy open guitar chords, and lyrically explore personal damage from previous relationships and how we can re-develop communication, goodwill, and trust within new healthy relationships.

Who inspired you to make music?

Good question! In this case I would differentiate between inspiration and encouragement because honestly even though I was singing my whole life it came to me very late that I could be a songwriter myself. So musical inspirations are artists like Frank Ocean and Lauryn Hill especially how they created such a unique style and being so personal. But a big thing was the encouragement of friends & family and honestly meeting musicians that had the same vision.

How do you feel the Internet has impacted the music business?

I feel like for sure there are positive and negative effects of it. It is not as exclusive and expensive anymore, both access knowledge and create music. Everyone can upload music and use social media platforms to connect with other music lovers. I think building communities is easy but for sure different online than in your neighbourhood/city/town.

Also, there is a flood of creative work out there, a lot of trends as well. I feel like originality can get lost if you’re drawn towards trends. Talking music business, I feel like the industry hasn’t adapted to streaming yet. What I mean by that is that it’s still very hard for newcoming artists to make a living off of it.

Have you got a ritual of sorts when making music?

Honestly, I’m really really bad at getting creative at home, I’m just in a very cozy mood in my room. I get inspired but I don’t get things done. SO, my ritual is pretty much going to the studio with my band and we just jam. If we jam, we always dim the lights…that helps.

How would you describe your music?

My songwriting revolves around the grand theme of interpersonal relationships while trying to illuminate all the nooks and crannies and contradictions of modern everyday live within an urban environment.

While doing so, I navigate topics like personal growth as well as radical self-acceptance and trying to capture these feelings in nuanced vocal performances. My music is vaguely oscillating between the genres of Pop, Neo-Soul and contemporary R’n’B with a sprinkle of jazz-harmony and a soft spot for detailed sound-design.

What’s next for you?

I will play my first ever gig at a friend’s festival with my band. I’m super excited and thrilled that I can break the ice performing in front of all my friends, feel the vibe and learn from this experience. Because just one week later, on the 3rd of September we play at Tarmac Festival in Germany. My first official gig ever, I will remember this forever!

What are your top two favourite songs of all time? Why those songs?

Frank Ocean – Nights

This song flashed me so much. With Frank Ocean in general I first heard of the existence of contemporary RnB and was so excited about the uniqueness, the braveness and the sound spheric production. Also, I love a good shift within a song.

Lauryn Hill – Doo Wop (That thing)

It’s such a jam, I mean who doesn’t like this song?! It became one of my feminist hymns. Also listen to the outro when she talks. She talks about her perspective on love and I feel this soooo much.

What was the last series you watched on TV?

I actually just rewatched Breaking Bad. But a big recommendation is a documentary on Netflix that is called Eldorado. It’s about a club in Berlin in the end of the 1920s which became a sanctuary for the queer community. Benjamin Cantu’s informative documentary catches attention with interviews, re-enactments and historical recordings.

What do you think the greatest invention has been?

On the spot I would say the Roland 808 drum machine. The history and influence of its music wise is just fascinating.

Do you have any lucky items, objects, or traditions?

I have to wear my rings or jewellery in general, otherwise I don’t really feel like myself. But actual lucky items or traditions I don’t have right now. But I think it will come when I hit the stage more often.

If you could ask your future self one question, what would it be?

I would ask my future self: “Where do you live right now?” – Because honestly, I always talk about moving somewhere, even a different city but I never left Berlin for more than a month. So, I’m really curious if I will make it to a different place in the future.

If you had to describe yourself as a flavour, what would it be?

I always smell citrusy; I love pistachio and cake. So maybe I taste like a lemon cake with a pistachio frosting.

ELLE MB shares her new single ‘Roleplay’, out everywhere now.

Speaking of the track, Lina says, “With every song it’s kind of different but almost every song yet started with me and my producing band (Raphael, Konstantin, Paul) jamming in our studio in Berlin-Neukölln. So them grooving with their instruments, gentle bassline, soft amped guitar chords from Konstantin, piano or synth lines from Paul and percussion from Raphael get me into the creative zone immediately. So also with this release it was a mixture of sounds that we create in the studio that just project a vibe and my subconsciousness that deals with topics and drops words while vocal melodies find their way out of my mouth.

When it was clear that ‘roleplay’ will be the key word and maybe even the title, I instantly connected it to a feeling of not being able to be your truest self in relationships and how this can be damaging but also how beautiful it is to open up to people with good intentions, more understanding and healthy communication.

I figured out that ‘roleplay’ for me kind of stands for a recurring role I was playing in previous relationships, romantic relationships but also friendships. But knowing you made mistakes in the past doesn’t mean you can do it better the next day. So there are still some leftover coping mechanisms, patterns and old wounds that need to heal. But then finding yourself in a healthy relationship is a process to fully accept but is so beautiful if you’re able to open up and let it happen.”