Perth singer-songwriter Elli Schoen has been making big waves recently having chalked up great supports with Billy Bragg, Tash Sultana and Bec Sandridge, and released her Gold Mess EP last month which she toured across the country. She has just returned from a national tour playing Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne and is set to play WA Day’s State Of The Art Festival (SOTA) this coming Monday public holiday, June 5, at Elizabeth Quay with local heavyweights Karnivool, Drapht, Gyroscope, Bob Evans and more. ANTHONY JACKSON spoke with Schoen about the tour and everything SOTA.
Congrats on the EP launch last month, it’s been a massive year for you, how are you holding up? Are you enjoying the rollercoaster ride?
Thanks! I am pretty exhausted to be honest. I have put so much energy into the EP launch and recent shows, I think it is time to take it easy for a while.
How were the Eastern States shows? Do you enjoy the travelling that comes with touring?
The shows were great and it was awesome to spend time with the band but the travelling was intense. We were flying to a different city each day, so between flights, getting to the venues, sound checks and performing there wasn’t much time to enjoy the change of scenery.
Gold Mess is a beautiful song. Do you base most of your songwriting on personal experience and relationship interplay?
Yeah, all my songs are based on my personal experiences with love, loss and growing as a person.
We are pumped for SOTA this year. You were on the the bill last year too…
I am pumped for this year as well. Last year I didn’t get to play as the stage got rained out and cancelled! This year we are on the mainstage so hopefully it has better rain protection and we can put on a good show.
Who are you looking forward to seeing or playing alongside at this year’s SOTA?
I’m looking forward to playing on the same stage as Abbe May, she is one of my favourite artists to watch and I haven’t played with her for a while now.
It’s great that we get to celebrate local music on WA Day. From someone who has played with a lot of other musicians both here and across the country, what do you think makes us unique?
I think the fine weather and the beautiful beaches puts the pep in our step and allows us to create banging music!
