The Good & The Bad With Elohim

“Today’s a good day. Tomorrow’s a new day. If today’s a bad day, tomorrow’s a new day. We got to celebrate when we get a good day. If today’s a bad day, tomorrow’s a new day.”

Los Angeles-based artist, producer and songwriter Elohim’s latest track ‘Good Day Bad Day’ is an optimistic reminder to appreciate the little positives in life, treasure what matters to you, and take the bad days in your stride – truth be told, it’s exactly what we need right now. 2020 has been a rollercoaster (to put it lightly), and living through a global pandemic can be both physically and mentally straining but Elohim wants us to know that we can get through it all, if we stick together.

Open and honest, Elohim’s music explores the beauty of human connection, while advocating for mental health awareness, a topic you can also see on Elohim’s social media as she opens up to her fans regularly on #MentalHealthMondays. Appearing on the scene as a mysterious and enigmatic artist back in 2015, the next 5 years have seen Elohim develop and mature as a creative, releasing hit after hit and touring with the likes of Alison Wonderland and The Glitch Mob.

We catch up with Elohim to talk good days, bad days and everything in between.

What got you into music?

Initially my interest in music was sparked because of my dad and my brother. Both of them are incredible guitar players and I wanted something that was mine, so I chose piano. At a young age my dad told me he would buy me a piano as long as I took it very seriously and didn’t give up. And that is how it all began.

Who did you look up to musically while growing up?

I studied classical music very intensely but was personally always drawn to electronic alternative music. My mom always had KROQ (our alternative rock radio station in Los Angeles) on when driving us to school. I remember hearing The Postal Service and hearing those electronic sounds mixed with lyric and melody and that really inspired something in me. Then a family friend had introduced me to Radiohead and that changed my life.

What was ‘Good Day Bad Day’ inspired by, your own experience?

Good Day Bad Day is very relevant at this moment in time in our world but actually wrote this song before the pandemic. My own struggles with my mental health have been with me since I was 7 years old. It is an interesting time right now because a lot of humans are experiencing depression, dissociation, anxiety, and panic for the first time ever in their life right now! For someone like me who has experienced these struggles most of my life, I just want to help others. I knew people needed this song right now because these feelings have become incredibly universal. I want people to know they aren’t alone.

How important would you say social media’s been for your music?

Social media has been invaluable to my career. I have no idea where I would be without social media. It has been especially meaningful because it has been my lifeline and connection to so many beautiful friends that I’ve met throughout this chapter. We are in constant communication because we finally have a community of understanding people around us.

What’s your song writing process like – is it melody and then lyrics or the other way round? And as a follow up, where do you most get inspiration for writing songs?

I am very driven and inspired by interesting unique sounds. Being a piano player, I usually start with an interesting sound and keyboard part which then inspires the mood and feeling of the song. That being said, every song is different… sometimes I’ll write an entire song, melody and lyrics, and then produce around that! The beauty of music is that there is no one way to do it and there is an endless world you can explore and discover within.

Do you prefer playing music live or recording songs?

Gosh both are so different and very satisfying / gratifying in their own unique way. Right now, I am desperate for a live show experience but I’m using this time to be in the studio. There is nothing quite like feeling the crowd’s emotion and energy. We cry, laugh, get chills, scream… it’s quite a beautiful experience and one I am missing tremendously right now.

Is there anyone you’re dying to collaborate with?

Toro y Moi is one-person I’ve really been wanting to collaborate with.

What type of music do you enjoy listening to? What are you listening to at the moment?

I love hip hop and I love electronic music. I just updated my playlist on spotify if you want some new jams to listen to but .. Vegyn, Jean Dawson, Shlohmo, RMR, Glass Animals, D33J, absolutely obsessed with this Playboi Carti song “@ MEH”. Lots of cool music out there.

What would you say is something that makes you strive for greatness?

Something I do a lot when I go to that dark place, where I doubt myself, is picture tiny me. Me as a little girl. And how I know she would love me, she would want the best for me, she would believe in me. She is the reason I strive for greatness.

What’s one thing that you think this pandemic/lockdown has taught you about life?

I learned about aglio e olio and it’s become a staple food for me. In all seriousness I think this time has taught us all a lot. And we might not even know the extent of what it has taught us yet. But this time has definitely shown us we can survive with less travel, dinners out, etc. It has really put family, health and love first. We are all human beings no matter who you are, how much money you make – at the end of the day we are all human beings, we are all one and I hope this time brings us closer together on a human level.

What would you say you’ve learned so far being in the music industry?

I think I would need to write an entire book to fully answer this question. But the most important lesson I’ve learned is to stay true to myself no matter what.

Is there anything you’re doing in the future that we should be looking forward to?

I hope by the end of next year we will all be dancing at shows again and until then I will be creating and releasing new music, advocating for mental health, streaming, and sharing more art with the world!