Interview: musical crush of the week #38 - E^ST

Australian singer-songwriter E^ST has just dropped her new single in the form of ‘Life Goes On’, a buoyantly upbeat song in which she mourns a loss while at the same time acknowledging that, life indeed does go on. The song follows an EP from 2015 (‘The Alley’) and a support slot on tour with Twenty One Pilots in Australia, with ‘Life Goes On’ marking a new, and exciting point in her ever-rising career.

You will like, if you like: Tove Lo, Broods, London Grammar, Dua Lipa, Allie X, Alessia Cara, and MØ.

COUP DE MAIN: What was running through your mind while writing ‘Life Goes On’?
E^ST: A lot of bittersweet thoughts were running through my head... The song is about missing someone, but ultimately accepting the fact that most things in life can't last forever. It felt so relieving to able to translate all of those emotions into this song, I really needed it I think.

CDM: Do you think that it's an important life lesson to learn that life does go on? How can people learn that mantra?
E^ST: I think it's really important! Life is constantly changing, and if you can't change with it then it makes sense that you're probably not gonna be as happy as you could be. Sometimes the only way to live by that mantra is to force your head to overrule your heart.

CDM: You sing that there’s “something I’m always gonna miss,” and, “I think of you more than you know.” Do you think that moving on, and learning to not think of someone is one of the hardest things about relationships?
E^ST: Oh definitely, it's heartbreaking sometimes! But I guess you have to be able to recognise when you're only remembering the romantic and beautiful side of things, and may not be focusing on why it ended... And it always ends for a reason, it's important to remember that.

CDM: What do you think is the strongest human emotion?
E^ST: Maybe discontentment? Does that count as an emotion?

CDM: And the ‘Life Goes On’ music video is really rad too - how did the video concept come about / what was that experience like?
E^ST: The concept came entirely from Jeff Johnson (the director). We sent him the song, and he asked me about the story behind it, and then a few days later he sent through the initial idea, and I fell in love immediately. It was such a great experience working with him and his team - so nice to work with people who really want to understand and capture the emotion of the song they're working with.

CDM: Last year you were a part of Her Sound Her Story, which shone a light on celebrating women in the Australian music scene. Is the gender imbalance in the music industry something that you find really important to speak up about?
E^ST: Definitely think it's important! Inequality or imbalance of any kind, I feel passionate about addressing and changing.

CDM: How do you think we can change this imbalance, or level the playing field?
E^ST: I can already feel a positive shift in my local music scene, and a lot of this has just come from starting the conversation and raising awareness.

CDM: You’re playing a show in London next week which is super exciting! Are you planning to play any new material / what do you have planned for the show?
E^ST: I'm so hyped! I'm planning on playing lots of new songs (and some oldies too for good measure)... I'm just so impatient to start sharing them with everyone, and have a dance ha.

CDM: If you were to curate your own music festival, who would you want to play and what would the festival be called?
E^ST: If I had to pick a few headliners, I'd say Bjork, Deftones, and Frank Ocean, and I'd call it "Sluts For Pizza".

CDM: What's the most despicable thing you've ever done?
E^ST: I once purposefully closed the doors on the lift even though I could see someone running for it, just because I didn't want to be stuck in a lift with anyone else haha. I felt pretty bad though.

CDM: If you could pick any five people (living or dead) to be in your entourage, who would you choose?
E^ST: Noel Fielding, Neil Gaiman, Viggo Mortensen, Oscar Wilde, and Ruthie Henshall!

CDM: Do you believe in magic?
E^ST: Does Solange Knowles count as magic? Because then, yes.

CDM: What is your spirit animal?
E^ST: Owls I reckon! I relate to them so much.

CDM: If you could steal one thing without consequence what would it be?
E^ST: A hot air balloon... just because of the cinematic potential!

E^ST: What is the most heroic thing that you've ever done?
CDM: Gone to get something out of the car in the middle of the night (sounds silly, but try it and your courage will surely be tested).

CDM: What is your first proper memory, ever?
E^ST: I THINK my first proper memory is of me and my older brother watching 'Dinosaur' in our room and our uncle bringing us hotdogs. I think I was about 3!

CDM: If you were a country, what would be your national anthem?
E^ST: ‘Bicycle Race’ by Queen.

CDM: Stretch your right arm out as far as you can reach, what can you touch?
E^ST: Lol, my phone, I'm what they call "wild”.

E^ST’s song ‘Life Goes On’ is out now - watch the music video below…