After the wondrous response to their much-loved debut EP 'I'm Still Breathing' in 2022, Dutch singer-songwriter noah elliot recently returned with their stunning sophomore collection 'Even Still', featuring the dazzling new single '(Waiting) For Something'.
Capturing more of that rich and emotive aesthetic they have been building since they first emerged, '(Waiting) For Something' makes for a beautifully warm and tender listen. With its broad and dynamic textures, sweeping atmosphere, and progressive direction throughout, they return to the fold with one of their most impactful efforts to date here.
So with the new single available to stream now, we sat down with them to find out more about their origins and what has been inspiring them most lately.
-
What was the first instrument you fell in love with?
It must have been the guitar. When I was seven years old or so, my parents asked me which instrument I wanted to play, and I knew it was the guitar. I don’t remember why at all, but my parents tell me I was very convincing. I started out playing classical music, until I discovered the electric guitar as a young teenager and fell in love with the instrument.
But maybe the very first ‘instrument’ I fell in love with was my voice; as long as I can remember, I have been singing, making up songs, or singing along. I will often just be humming to myself as I am doing things around the house, and singing with other people is one of my favourite things in this world. There is so much joy and connection and power in that.
What kind of music did you love when you were younger?
All sorts of music! I grew up with many different influences. My parents love classical music, so I was surrounded by Bach, Beethoven, Chopin, and Mozart from a very young age. I still love classical music to this day, although I prefer the more romantic composers like Tchaikovsky and Mahler. Aside from classical music, I grew up with the classics. My mom sung in a barbershop choir, and she was often going around the house singing The Beatles, Stevie Wonder, some jazz standards, and Queen, for example.
My dad gave me my love for Amy Winehouse; I don’t remember him listening to much else besides classical music, except for Amy. He played the Back To Black album in the car a lot, and I remember being so confused by it at first. How could something sound so happy but so sad at the same time?
What was the first album you remember owning?
I think the first CD I bought by myself was Doo-Wops & Hooligans by Bruno Mars. I was nine or ten years old, and had saved enough pocket money to buy a cd. I remember the song Grenade being very popular back then, which is why I bought the album. It was one of the few albums I had on my Ipod Shuffle at the time, I listened to it on repeat. I think I would still know most of the lyrics today.
What is the one song you wished you could have written yourself?
Between The Bars by Elliott Smith
Do you have any habits or rituals you go through when trying to write new music?
For me writing involves a lot of thinking and staring out the window; I think I need time to let everything simmer. I live quite close to a beautiful forest, so I also love to go there for walks to think things over.
Who are your favourite artists you have found yourself listening to at the moment?
So many! I’d say certain artists are always in my ‘on repeat’ playlist, such as Phoebe Bridgers, Elliott Smith, and Madison Cunningham.
Lately I’ve also rediscovered Anna Calvi. I love her album ‘Hunter’, and the theatricality of it. And some albums I’ve been listening to on repeat lately are Hadestown by Anaïs Mitchell (the original version), Blue by Joni Mitchell, Carrie and Lowell by Sufjan Stevens, and Prelude To Ecstasy by The Last Dinner Party.
My guilty pleasure song at the moment is Unwritten by Natasha Beddingfield.
If you could open a show for anyone in the world, who would it be?
That’s a difficult question! But probably Phoebe Bridgers or Boygenius, or maybe dodie. They have all meant so much to me as queer musicians, I love seeing them grow.
What do you find is the most rewarding part about being a musician?
It’s definitely the connections I get to build through my music and writing! Mental health is a big topic in my work and in my shows. Sometimes someone comes up to me afterwards and tells me how much it means to them that I put those emotions into music and words, that they feel seen, or maybe comforted that they are not alone in experiencing those feelings. Those moments stay with me for a very long time. When people ask me if it’s scary to be so vulnerable and so open on stage, I say yes, but it’s also worth it, because of those beautiful moments.
I have found so much hope and solace in music by others that could describe how I felt when I could not. It made me feel less alone. And I hope that I can do that for others one day.
And what is the most frustrating part?
That I have to do so many things that are not music related. I never thought being a musician meant spending most of your time writing emails and making calls.
And what is the best piece of advice you have received as a musician?
It might be cliché, but to stop trying to sound like other artists. Yes, my idols are great, but they already exist. I can never be them, I can only be myself. I should only try to focus on making music I believe in. It doesn't really matter what other people think if you like what you are doing.
-
noah elliot's new single '(Waiting) For Something' is available to stream now. Check it out in the player below.