Tempo Talks: A Conversation with Elina Filice
THE RELEASE
Emerging from the vibrant artistic hub of Toronto, Elina Filice is a singer-songwriter and entrepreneur known for her lyrical prowess and innovative musical style. With an extraordinary ability to blend the raw emotion of life's complexities into her music, Elina has carved a unique niche in the contemporary music scene. A strong advocate for mental health awareness, Elina's songwriting often explores intricate layers of human emotion, culminating in a sound that is not only relatable but also incredibly moving. Her entrepreneurial spirit further amplifies her reach, allowing her to inspire and connect with a diverse audience in a way that transcends the typical boundaries of music.
Elina Filice's latest single, "Don't Let Me Fall," is a poignant exploration of mental health struggles and the intense emotional strain of loving someone caught in a depressive descent. The accompanying music video encapsulates the turmoil of this experience through a series of chaotic and fervent visuals, masterfully portraying the sense of losing oneself in the darkness. The relentless hands that tug and prod at Elina throughout the video serve as a haunting metaphor for the inexorable pull of mental illness, creating a gripping spectacle of self-destruction and loss of control. Elina comments on the concept, saying, "We wanted to show a chaotic downward spiral of self-destruction and loss of control. Two people tangled in an inescapable bond, desperately begging someone to save you when they can barely save themselves." This creative endeavor manifests as a stark and heartrending testament to the lived experience of countless individuals, cementing Elina's status as a fearless and compassionate voice in the world of music.
THE INTERVIEW
What song or moment in time sparked your passion for music?
I come from a very musical family, and there was always music in my house growing up. I played a few instruments growing up (including studying the tuba pretty seriously- fun fact!) but guitar is the one that’s stuck with me and accompanied my songwriting journey. I’ve always loved writing songs and poetry, and in my post-university years started releasing my own music and pursuing my artistry.
What was the inspiration and meaning behind the music video?
The song examines a tandem downward spiral; loving someone who is in a depressive decline. Anyone who’s ever been there knows the toxic cyclicity. The song is driving and manic, and the video reflects that same manic, destructive energy through visual frenzy.
How does your creative process work from the moment you develop the idea to the completion of the record?
Inspiration comes in many forms, but I usually come up with a hook first, and then develop that into a full idea. I then make what I call a “good demo” at my home studio, recording all vocals, guitars, and midi instruments, and finalizing song structure. I then work with a producer to replace the midi sounds with sexier samples and we tweak and perfect from there!
As for this release, who is the producer and what about the production moved you?
I worked with friend, collaborator, and hyper-pop hero Viscose on this one. He really understood my vision and turned this song into an infectious ear-worm, with hard hitting drum beats and dance/pop elements, while still making it sound like “me!”
When it comes to the songwriting on this record, what is the message you want to get across to your listeners?
This project really is dedicated to people who have experienced what the song is about. It’s a dark and lonely place so I wanted to put words and pictures to this painful experience. The video is about visually imagining this experience. The physical destruction visualizes the destruction within, and hands tug and pull at me to represent the relentless pull of the darkness.
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