“The only reason I felt anxious about it to begin with was because I was worried how other people would react, and if the only reason not to do something is because you’re worried what other people will think, then it’s really not a valid reason at all,” tells me Luca Pascucci about his debut EP I Can Be Whatever You Want Me To Be, which he has just released under his artist name Eli and via Mammal Sounds Records.
We couldn’t agree more and are glad that the Melbourne artist and producer didn’t let fear guide him, but instead followed his artistic heart. The result is an extremely diverse and exciting album with five very different tracks, featuring a blend of alternative-dance music with energetic-club and hyper-pop/punk influences, which take the listener into various musical worlds and allow the artist to fully explore his creativity. “Looking back on what albums have inspired me the most, it’s always been albums that change sounds, where each song stands on their own and is separate from each other. Those are the albums I go back and listen to over and over because there is so much there to find. That’s definitely what I was trying to do with this, and I hope people resonate with that.”
We also spoke to the young talent about struggling to fit into certain groups or music scenes, about admiring whimsical romanticism, and he revealed to us his favorite line he has ever written.
Photos by MJ Kim & Alex Fredricksson
Hey dear Luca, thanks so much for your time. I’m currently listening to your debut EP, I Can Be Whatever You Want Me To Be, and it’s truly fascinating how diverse the five tracks are. This also explains the title, as you mentioned it’s about “showing the different things I can be, the different sounds I can make. I don’t have to fit into any particular genre or sound. I can do whatever I want.” You also said that you were a bit anxious about the lack of a consistent vibe. What was the stronger motivation that pushed you to release it this way despite that fear?
Firstly, thanks so much for listening to my music. It’s always nice to know that people are listening. I was definitely anxious about the tracks as a collective and there were certainly points where I thought about changing it up, maybe adding a different song or saving one or two songs for a different project. I guess what made me stick with this particular set list was the fact that I really liked how it sounded and I thought that it was a powerful group of songs as a collective. The only reason I felt anxious about it to begin with was because I was worried how other people would react, and if the only reason not to do something is because you’re worried what other people will think, then it’s really not a valid reason at all. I feel like I’ve explored so many genres in the time I have played music, to put something out there that didn’t reflect that wouldn’t feel right.
“If the only reason not to do something is because you’re worried what other people will think, then it’s really not a valid reason at all.”
You’ve also mentioned that “it’s also a statement I have thought and struggled a lot with in my personal life, for good or bad.” Could you explain that in more detail?
I guess I have struggled with the idea of changing yourself to fit into what a particular person or group of people want. I’ve felt it in relationships, in particular circles of people and in music scenes. Of trying to fit in and doing so by bringing out particular sides of yourself that you know might be more accepted in that situation. Not to say that those sides aren’t the real you, but just different versions. In that sense I feel like the music is the same. All the songs are me, just different versions.
Romanticism plays a role in the inspiration behind this album. How would you personally define romance?
I don’t know. I feel like I’m way too young to have any real idea of what romance might mean. For me it feels like the little details, the really small but intimate things you do with someone when you’re so comfortable with them. That feels like romance to me. But I think it can take a lot of shapes. I think I’ve also learnt that it’s also learning to let go, or taking a step back even when you might not want to. Acting with compassion even when things get hard.
On the album, you collaborated with Melbourne artist Lucy Lamb on the song What If/If Only. You’re friends with her, and you both co-wrote the lyrics—essentially, you added to her lyrics. I find this kind of collaboration fascinating, where you don’t initially know what the other person is writing about and then try to sense it and continue from there. It seems that in such collaborations, the focus is on what’s being created rather than on oneself as an individual. How did both of you experience this way of working?
I can’t speak for Lucy but personally it was very freeing. Lucy writes in a way that is super visual. So much imagery is conveyed in her lyrics which is something I think I wish I did more. So for me it was a great exercise to try and write not to fit a specific idea, but more a particular kind of vibe or tone that Lucy already set. That being said obviously there are context clues. The main line which is now in the bridge is “there’s somebody that I wanna meet someday” so that gives you a pretty clear indication on what to write about. I also really love that line because like the title I think it’s a really simple yet powerful statement. It has that same sort of whimsical romanticism that I really admire.
“People come in and out of your life and if you write about someone specific then that song becomes tied to them, and as time passes and feelings lessen or become less dramatic than the song loses its heart.”
The closing song is a very quiet and beautiful track. You started writing it when you were 17. What is the song about?
The song isn’t really about one individual person. I mean it took so long to write it would be nearly impossible. That being said I also decided early on that I wouldn’t write about any specific person ever. People come in and out of your life and if you write about someone specific then that song becomes tied to them, and as time passes and feelings lessen or become less dramatic than the song loses its heart. So I write about feelings or thoughts that I might have even if it does come from a certain experience, the experience will fade but the emotion or lesson from that experience won’t. For me this song is about knowing something won’t last but doing it anyway, because you love that person and because the present and the experience is more important than how it ends. Emotion over reason, kind of. The line near the end of the song I think encapsulates the whole thing. “I know nothing lasts forever doesn’t mean that you can’t stay”. Again, it feels like it says a lot with so little. I think that’s my favorite line I’ve ever written.
“Be a little bit more open to letting things happen out of your control. That being said you can control the type of people around you. Maybe I wish I was a little bit more selective about who I surrounded myself with.”
What would you tell your 17-year-old self about life and your music career today? What advice would you give?
That’s difficult. I think I’d say start listening to new music. Get off the 70s, 80s, 90s stuff. It’s over move on, listen to anything from the 21st century and embrace the time you are in now for music. There are so many exciting things happening you just have to look forward. I definitely got to contemporary music too late. I was definitely looking behind a lot at that time. I think I would also say to slow down and let moments and people take you places. It’s good to work hard and try and have everything under control but at the same time you have to understand that you can’t control everything and sometimes the music (and life) will just happen and it’s ok if it goes like that. Be a little bit more open to letting things happen out of your control. That being said you can control the type of people around you. Maybe I wish I was a little bit more selective about who I surrounded myself with.
And finally, what are the top things on your bucket list?
Play a festival
Make an album
That’s it
Follow Eli for more:
facebook.com/abandcalledeli
soundcloud.com/e1i333
instagram.com/e1i______/
