• photography Sandra Myhrberg
    fashion Jahwanna Berglund
    coat Baum und Pferdgarten
    top WEEKEND / Max Mara
    trousers Lacoste
    loafers COS

    An Interview With Lou Elliotte

    Written by Valeria Bartocci by Valeria Bartocci

    On How to Become a Solo Artist, the Ep “Best You’ve Ever Had”

    We know her as Louise Lennartsson from the Swedish pop group, Estraden.
    Now she is taking her own magical way in her solo career as a pop artist with the name, Lou Elliotte. She comes with colourful and brutally honest music that takes you by storm. You can hear her characteristic and energetic voice so clear and loud that it makes your heart want to dance. It took her some time to become Lou Elliotte but now she is finally grabbing the music industry by the horns.

    Was it difficult for you to go solo after being in a band, how did you get to the point you are today as Lou Elliotte?
    It has always been my dream and original plan to be a solo artist making music in English even though I released Lou Elliotte after Estraden.  Estraden was from the beginning just a fun project, not anyone’s plan to start a Swedish band. We wrote one song that we recorded and liked, so we started our band because of that song. Then it just took off and it went so well so I decided to wait with Lou Elliotte. Also, I didn't exactly know what kind of music I wanted to release, I think I needed to grow as a person and find out what I wanted to do.

    How does the band feel about you starting a solo career?
    They are super supportive and happy for me. Felix and Carl are also a producer team, producing and writing music for other artists, so they have a lot of work to do as well besides Estraden.

    Tell me more about your new single Touch Yourself?
    I wrote the song with Fatmax Gsus. The song itself is a love song but it sheds a light on an important subject that we should talk about more. Women who masturbate. I think it's crazy, cus through history, it has always been referred to as something shameful and it feels like it still is. I think that is such bullshit!  Because it's natural and it's also 2022 so it's like, Hello? Women do masturbate!

    In your single ”I Lost” you're talking about how your dreams started to come true but also that you lost something very important, what’s the song about?
    I've been singing about my life for the last couple of years, dreaming about being an artist, releasing music, playing live, and writing songs for other artists. I listened to Veronica Maggio for all my teenage years and she was such a big inspiration to me and now I'm working with her. That’s such a big dream come true. When I started to work with her a year ago, that was when I wrote: “I Lost”. Finally being where I had been dreaming of, happy, but not as happy as I thought I would be because I also went through a rough time in my life. At the same time as all my dreams were coming true, my boyfriend at the time and I took a break and I have never felt sadder.

    Tell me about your E:P why did you choose to mix new and old songs in it?
    I had a concert in 2019 with my band Estraden, at that time we hadn't released enough songs to have a whole concert so we added some covers for the show. “Teenage Dirtbag” was one of the songs we played. I love that song, it has been with me since I was a child and it's really close to my heart so I felt that I wanted to release a cover of it. I had a version that I made with my friend Madelene Eliasson who is a songwriter and producer, she also played with me at the concert in 2019. So we went into the studio and we made a newer version. I had an idea with using vocoder chorus so this 2021 version of the song is with more pop, cuter but still with the guitar, and almost with this, we will rock you-beat.
    It's hard to make a cover and keep that same magic that the original version has but still make it your own. You don’t want to make exactly the same but something new. We had the first version that I and Madelene Eliasson made and then we got stuck at one point and didn’t know exactly how to finish it. We brought another producer to help us with the song, Rasmus Budny so we finished it with him and I'm very happy with how the song turned out. Since everybody loves the original version of “Teenage Dirtbag” it makes me so happy when people tell me they love my
    cover. I've actually had that song as a reference for Lou Elliotte, especially the verse, the verse is the best verse I have ever heard! As a songwriter, I’m so jealous that he wrote that, it’s so so fucking genius.

    What is your best memory about doing your EP?
    I have one thing that I'm very happy about and that’s when I made the song “I Lost”. I was super depressed because my boyfriend and I had taken a break so I went into the studio with two of my friends, Amanda Cygnaeus and Madelene Eliasson. I was low and sad and I wanted to write about it because I always write about my personal experiences. That's why nearly all of my songs are about my exes. It was my favorite session and it felt so special. I wrote exactly how I felt, it was right from the heart. I'm attached to that song. I also love that song because it was only us women who wrote it. I have never done that before, of course, I have been writing with women before but I have been making songs for six years and I have never released a song written by only women. That's a very special moment for me. It also reflects how the music industry is, fucked up,  just by hearing that information, like yes I have been releasing music for six years but I have never done a song that is made by only women. That's obviously not the goal that you should only work with women. I just want the industry to be equal. Of course, I wish that this was not a thing. It just shows that the music industry is struggling with equality.

    Next song with the band Estraden?
    Our next song going to be released on the 4th of February called “Säg Till Din Mamma”. We have another artist collaborating with us on the song but he will be anonymous. That's super exciting!

    Is it hard to separate yourself from you as Lou Elliotte and you as Louise Lennartsson from the band Estraden?
    No, I feel like with Estraden since we are a band we write about experiences from what we all have been through in the songs but with Lou it’s only me and my experiences so I get to decide by myself. But I definitely feel like it's me in both Estraden and Lou Elliotte.

    Where do you find yourself in the most inspirational state?
    It's definitely when I'm going through something, when my ex and I broke up I wrote many songs about it. I was crying and being sad in the studio all the time. Tears falling and I'm just saying let's write about this. I love the feeling of making music and being right in the moment even if the moments I find myself in are sometimes really sad or hard.

    jacket SVC
    shirt COS
    trousers Ida Klamborn
    boots Steve Madden

    top Christopher Kane / Zalando

    jewellery WOS

    body & trousers Jade Cropper
    gloves Handsome
    top Hanna Linnéa Ryd
    dress Baum und Pferdgarten
    boots Anny Nordh
    earring Jane and Sophie
    body & trousers Jade Cropper
    gloves Handsome
    shoes Balenciaga
    photography Sandra Myhrberg
    fashion Jahwanna Berglund
    makeup Elva Ahlbin
    hair Adam Nilsson
    assistants Alicia Hurst & Thea Undemo
  • photography Sandra Myhrberg
    fashion Jahwanna Berglund

    .

    Mapei wears: coat Nicklas Gustavsson shades Valentino via Mister Spex

    Okazaki wears: jacket Stand Studios
    Thomas Rusiak wears: t-shirt Bareen overshirt Woolrich

    In Remarkable Feel-Good Symbiosis, an Interview With Mor

    Written by Decirée Josefsson by Sandra Myhrberg

    The year is 2020, there's ongoing isolation and thirst for something uplifting.

    Jacqueline Mapei Cummings is currently back from Thailand, planning to meet up with producers Thomas Rusiak and Fredrik Okazaki to make a new album. Three music legends, Mapei, Okazaki, and Rusiak not knowing that first session was about to be the skeleton of something much bigger than a band, a brilliant artcraft. MOR is not only a force of wisdom and hope, defined by more than the incentive to attract money. They are also a leading light of gratitude and a statement that if you genuinely love what you do and create from a space of joyfulness, external elements won't make your creativity limited. It’s soulful, abstract, and free of interpretation. A humble movement where art means conversation.

    I met the three of the members for beers one afternoon at a local bar near their studio, asked them about the background, story, and experiences being a member of MOR:

    When you first got together did you know right away that this was something special?
    F: My theory is that everything goes down to the deep understanding of one and other feelings. There is no pride. On the contrary, there’s an environment built on the fundamentals that we like to hang out and make music that we genuinely love. That in combination with respect towards each other created a space where creativity has been flowing with tremendous ease. After the first session, we decided to change the primary thought of making an album for Jackie. Instead we created a band that today stands for a family.
    T: We have been approaching music with similarities, however there have been directions one might think is straggly and incoherent. Jackie is multifaceted and has been able to manage every part of those spiky out-of-the-box ideas. Together we have been able to control and produce pure greatness. I get chills talking about what we have created, it’s been everywhere and nowhere and suddenly we’re almost done with two albums and every song has its unique touch, still the very same movement.
    J: I’ve been very inspired by the thoughts and feelings from us as individuals when it comes to lyrics and melodies. We talk a lot about day-to-day romanticism while hanging out. These reflections, feelings, and thoughts are something that I like to bring with me into the studio. That is what creates a story and context. Everything feels natural and safe. It's a soothing feeling for the demons to be able to express freely based on your emotions.

    The first material consists of 17 songs. This was the outcome of a handful of spontaneous sessions together. The first thought was to release everything all at once, suicide for the carrier one would say. It ended up in two upcoming albums. The first single, Spitfire was released earlier in October this year. Jacqueline Mapei Cummings said while describing the song “You will never experience love if you don’t welcome it” which is based on how individuals sometimes won’t let themselves be proved to love. Spitfire is one of 13 songs from their first album, set to release at the end of February.
    F: When we meet up we usually chit-chat for hours, making music for fifteen minutes. It has never been a must, which makes all of us very open-minded about the outcome. Focusing on the attitude and energy between us instead of forcing the outcome of the song.
    J: A shallow room without touchable feelings isn't a sustainable way to create. Every conversation and word between gets manifested into songs. That is genuinely what creates our content. The real world.
    T: Everything has been about now and then, with heart and ears towards finding that raw and genuine feeling of sound.
    J: We are like three different bottles of wine on the same shelf. Storing and aging individually but properly match each other mentally.  Even if we have lived separate lives our knowledge obtained,  gathered the same mental wisdom.

    What is your relationship with the music industry, in many ways controlled and designed to fit into frames?
    J: As a mutual force those frames felt good to not care about one's for all. We’re throwing us off the edge a little bit. Not caring so much if something doesn't fit into the box of a specific genre.
    F: There’s been a mutual sprinkle of fatigue towards the attitude in the industry. There’s no bad music. It’s the lack of friendliness.
    J: The side you get tired of is more or less the shift of focus from the pure love and art in making music. It’s even worse today with social media and everything being so approachable.
    T: I haven’t been working in the music industry for quite some time, and starting to notice people's behavior and reactions has been easier coming back. “Swedish jealousy”is a term. Includes backstabbing and competitiveness. There’s however almost only love and positive feedback towards the material and us as a unit. I’ve been receiving commendations from people I haven’t talked with for years.
    J: It’s important not to exclude positivity. The ones that are with us on this journey have been showing love and appreciation.
    T: I guess we’re quite bulletproof. There’s nothing to hate about this music. You don’t necessarily have to like or appreciate it. Everyone can hear the joyfulness and euphoria that the three of us have experienced while producing this music. That simplicity makes people more frustrated because there's nothing to touch.
    J: Some can give us the evil eye, then jealousy and skepticism can shine through. Even if there’s a very small percentage expressing this it feels great not to be lonely in that swarm.
    T: Maybe the situation would have been different if we were alone. Now we’re a united force.

    Would you consider there’s a message that has to be said with your music?
    J: If something needs to be said, the story we have created is like the journey of melancholic depression. There's grief and hope.
    F: It’s also worth noting the simplicity of gratefulness towards your friends, to connect and be appreciative of your relationships.
    J: Leave the rooms you’re not comfortable in. As the creator of your life, decisions should be based upon that.
    F: It’s not always easy to find your place in the entertainment industry. It’s been important to maintain the rustic environment while working with this project and to create a rather safe space for the music to be able to develop freely. Going to the studio for a session is all about the feeling. We have placed candles, flowers, and paintings in the room. Preserving the intimate and natural feeling.
    J: In many of the studios I've visited, I have felt homeless. It’s really big to have a standing point like these two guys have, with such welcoming, kindness, and professionality without any underlying intention.

    How come this is so important for you, the minimalism and familiarity?
    F: The American entertainment culture is based on the purpose of pleasantness. There's a strong similarity to entertain, no matter how commercial, indie, or whatever genre it might be. Not saying that there is something wrong with it. It simply means that every step you take doesn't need to define your inner child. At some point as an individual, the inner child of ours wants to define itself, sometimes all it wants is to create based on feeling.
    J: It goes back to the realness of doing what you love. Tired of constantly touching the surface, when it’s easy to be real.
    T: Not saying that this constellation is the best or the most unique. However, this colorful collaboration has been a fun new artistic way of approaching musical writing and producing.

    Max Jenny said in an interview with Odalisque “Life is like a theater but instead of people playing a part, they’re really just being themselves. So, I don’t need a lot of fuel, life is inspiring as it is.” The three old friends have gathered unique experiences, wisdom creating a story that has become a movement in remarkable feel-good symbiosis. That group is called MOR.

    Mapei wears: coat Philosophy di Lorenzo Serafini via Zalando
    dress Pretty Little Things socks Happy Socks
    Okazaki wears: sweater COS trousers Samsøe Samsøe
    Thomas Rusiak wears:  shirt Timberland
    Mapei wears: coat Nicklas Gustavsson shades Valentino via Mister Spex
    Okazaki wears: jacket Stand Studios trousers Calvin Klein
    Thomas Rusiak wears: t-shirt Bareen overshirt Woolrich denim Dr Denim

    vest Ganni

    knitted dress 2nd day

    Mapei wears: coat Philosophy di Lorenzo Serafini via Zalando
    dress Pretty Little Things socks Happy Socks

    Okazaki wears: sweater COS trousers Samsøe Samsøe
    Thomas Rusiak wears:  shirt Timberland denim Levis

    photography Sandra Myhrberg

    article Decirée Josefsson
    fashion Jahwanna Berglund
    hair Khaddy Gassama / Swedish Hair Mafia
    makeup Sandy Alhali
    special thanks to Hotel Kung Carl
    MOR - Mapei, Okazaki and Thomas Rusiak

    .

    shirt COS
    jacket Stand

  • photography Agnes Strand
    fashion Ken Mogekwu
    top Christiana Hadjipapa
    trousers Naomi Tarazi

    An interview with Delphi

    Written by Khaddy Gassama by Sandra Myhrberg

    With her positive state of mind, Delphi has a way of making the best out of every situation. And she’s putting her heart into everything she does, ranging from ice cold baths, passion for music, to the environment.

    Tell us about yourself.

    I’m Delphi, born in Sweden with Gambian/Trinidadian/austrian heritage. I Sing, write music, perform and do some producing. I have 2 street cats from Gambia, a loving family, and a passion for music out of this world! Super Grateful for all of it.

    What does a regular day look like for you?
    Right now I’m taking every opportunity to be in the studio with other people writing songs and being creative. I recently completed a small tour so December consisted of traveling, rehearsing, soundchecks, eating fast food, stressing out, meetings, having fun, and performing. Intense! In the days in between, I found comfort and recovery spending time with my love, swimming in the ice cold ocean (Wim Hof method), cooking nice food, hanging out with my cats, those kinds of things…
    On the days when I’m not working at the factory, I like to make music. Working on 4 songs atm, and I have more coming!

    How did you get into the profession that you are active in today?
    As a kid, I never felt more in my element than on stage. When I acted, danced, and sang, I was myself. Being very bullied growing up, performing gave me the rare opportunity of recognition because I was good at it. This was extremely motivating. Also, I idolized successful people that looked like me, who I could somehow relate to, like Beyonce and Rihanna. Makes a lot of sense now, considering how few “me’s'' were represented in media, books, etc. growing up. 
    It all started with a dream. And though it has not always been easy and I’ve doubted my abilities and whether or not I can succeed with this, I have always found my way back to the path. I’m good at what I do, therefore things I do always lead to something new!

    What advice would you give to someone that would like to get into the career you are in?
    I find people can be afraid to commit because of a fear of failing. Many have a fantasy of a perfect start, skyrocketing numbers of plays, instant recognition, etc. Being an artist is a constant commitment and rarely is there a “right time” or a “perfect hit song”. Even if you have an amazing smash song, chances are not that many people will hear it, especially if you're independent. Artistry is hard work, and we all have to start somewhere. The consistent ones will remain in the end, those who are willing to give their all and who love the process as much as the idea of the possible outcome.
    Have fun! It’s all about networking, and If you're good at what you do, opportunities will arise, rumors will spread and you will have some sort of a career, even if you're not the next internet sensation :)

    Tell us about the photoshoot for Odalisque.
    I had the honor of working with Khaddy “Swedish Hair Mafia” who organized this shoot with Agnes Strand (photographer), Ken (stylist), and Thereza (makeup). I have done some modeling before, but this was something different. Every artist had a focus area, a job, and wanted perfection and I was the canvas. It was a thrilling and fun experience. Nice to be able to wear such cool designs too.

    Who do you look up to and why?
    The list is long, I look up to many people. My mother is one of my biggest sources of inspiration. She has the ability to turn difficult challenges into opportunities. I think that's an incredible superpower, to have that kind of strong mentality and be able to choose how you react and respond to things happening in your life.
    I look up to people who find solutions, people who want to inspire others, and who take responsibility. People who strive to do their best regardless if they’re working against the stream. That’s inspirational.

    Describe yourself.
    I’m Brave, I’m strong and I rarely avoid a challenge. When I love, I love passionately and with my whole heart. I am not afraid to make a fool out of myself, constantly growing, evolving, exploring.

    Which is your favorite song by you?
    Of the songs that I have released so far, I was probably vibing most with PHRESH during the time of producing it. But to be honest, the stuff I’m working on right now has been on repeat a lot more… so I’m very much looking forward to sharing these next upcoming singles.

    Where do you pick/get most of your inspiration from?
    I’m inspired by LOVE, Heartbreak, relationships, angels, and demons. Almost everything I write is about things I have experienced, either by hearing others' stories or by going through it myself. I try to empathize with people, even those who do me wrong. By writing about it, through my perspective, or trying to understand theirs, I deal with it. I work through it, I get a better understanding and can eliminate hate or bitterness. So music is like therapy in a way.
    I like to have contrasts in music. A heavy message with an uplifting beat, like bringing up abuse in a way that makes you dance and also reflect, I find effective… One of the songs I made the other day for example is about a worst case apocalyptic scenario where we have destroyed the planet beyond repair. I ask for forgiveness in my lyrics though I know It’s too late for apologies.

    How do you stay motivated this time of year when days are short?
    Physical movement and musical journeys. There is nothing more depressing than sitting inside for any length of time watching series in the dark… I have a deeply rooted need for movement, both in terms of exercising and change of scenery. I love biking, taking cold swims (such a kick), trying out different restaurants/cafés, and also working up a sweat. I have a physically very demanding job, working in a big fridge, lifting tons of milk and juice.
    There are many reasons to avoid air travel right now: Covid, environmental reasons et.c. However, music enables you to time travel AND takes you places. I dream of hotter, sunnier, humid places, and some nice reggae, afrobeat, calypso, for example, can take me there!

    End of last year you had your first release party. Tell us about that.
    I collaborated with a group of music business students. They needed someone to promote in their finals and I was their chosen guinea pig. The promotion of the song wasn’t very successful, however thanks to Cassandra and Ami I had my very first release party. With the assistance of my go-to piano player Chris Sandberg, I performed three songs in a backyard in Stockholm, very intimate, very nice. More people than I hoped for showed up, it was pretty cold. It was just amazing.

    You performed at the Extinction Rebellion Climate Event. What is climate awareness to you and how do you see that you can contribute?
    Climate change should be made TOP priority, but is not. People are treating it like a thing you can choose to believe in or not. I think that the recent movie “Don’t look up” made some strong points, using a comet coming at top speed towards earth as a symbol for climate change.
    We can choose to act as if everything is normal and that we are not in danger but by the time we’re ready for change, it might be too late. It’s easy to feel helpless and unable to make a change as a single person in this big world, but we can all contribute to change. My way is through showing support for people who are actually prepared to do something, like the Extinction rebellion, even if it's radical, because this is a radical situation that needs immediate attention! I will write about it in my music, try to support good ideas, brands and inventions and spread awareness, however I can.

    What are your plans for this spring and 2022?
    My plan is to release a new single early this spring. I have upcoming collaborations with artists in LA, Amsterdam, Stockholm, and Gothenburg. I'm also doing a live show that will be uploaded on Youtube, by Selam Sessions. I have some Live gigs planned as well but with the current situation with restrictions, you never know. So I am focusing on creating murda music, and planning a smart and effective marketing strategy for the songs.

    coat DAY Birger et Mikkelsen
    dress House of Dagmar
    gloves & shoes Humana Secondhand
    ring Bedazzled Jewelry
    coat DAY Birger et Mikkelsen
    dress House of Dagmar
    gloves & shoes Humana Secondhand
    ring Bedazzled Jewelry
    top Christiana Hadjipapa
    trousers Naomi Tarazi
    jacket Göran Sundberg
    dress Charlotte Backaryd
    shoes Vagabond
    jacket Göran Sundberg
    skirt Humana Secondhand
    shoes Vagabond Shoemakers

    photography Agnes Strand
    fashion Ken Mogekwu
    makeup Tereza Luyirika

    hair Khaddy Gassama / Swedish Hair Mafia

    post production Sabina Hannila
    top YAS
    skirt RitaRoslin

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