“The power of good conversation, honest communication… with love, softness, and the right tone anything can be said.” These lyrics from the new release by Elodie Gervaise touched me deeply. The track “Communication” feels like it arrived at just the right moment. Good communication is the key to strong friendships, relationships, love, and really everything that connects us as humans. How often do misunderstandings arise from silence, from not being open, from fear? When did we become afraid to be vulnerable, to use words as bridges and not as weapons or insults?
Elodie’s journey is rooted in her French-Australian upbringing, which brought her from the structured world of architecture to the ever-evolving, expressive world of music. Her path led her to Paris, where she studied music and formed her first bands, and then to Berlin, a city that sparked her creativity in new ways and gave her a sense of artistic freedom.
With her latest double A-side release, King of Cups/Communication, Elodie explores themes of self-reflection, personal growth, and human connection. These beautiful, unusual, and deeply personal songs embrace vulnerability and authenticity, diving into the power of communication and self-discovery. And there’s something instantly captivating about Elodie’s voice—a mix of mystery and seduction that’s hard to resist.
We sat down with Elodie to talk about her creative process, the influences that shaped Exosoul [of Anaïnja], and what it means to express one’s truth through music.
Photography by Sabrina Pippa
Designer: Adelina Zgribut
Studio: Ramboya
In the process of creating ‘Exosoul [of Anaïnja],’ were there any unexpected sources of inspiration that ended up shaping the album in surprising ways?
I guess every source of inspiration was surprising as I had no idea what was going to come about before experiencing each of these wildly different stories and emotions.
The album dives into complex themes like eroticism, mysticism, and self-discovery. How did you manage to stay both open and strong while sharing these parts of yourself?
Through the guise of a new character and some caring close friends. I’m fortunate enough to be surrounded by a stunning community of supportive, creative and fearless individuals who help me to discover and express myself in infinite ways.
When it comes to your lyrics, do you feel a responsibility to convey certain messages, or do you focus more on authenticity without worrying about interpretation?
I try not to add any unnecessary pressure to the already vulnerable medium of songwriting but feel if I write from an authentic place then that’s my truth and hope it will resonate.
Which song on the album are you most excited to share, and what makes it special for you?
Hard to say as each track has such differing messages but I’m pretty excited about Aftercare. I’m a big fan of sexology and look forward to spreading that powerful concept further into the world.
“My music is more a product of my immediate influences, like the city I live in and the people I’m surrounded and inspired by.”
You’ve chosen not to use a new artist name, even though ‘Exosoul’ presents a fresh chapter. What led you to keep your own Name?
Understanding that it’s okay to make yourself vulnerable, even if it feels scary.
What was the biggest cultural shift you experienced moving from Paris to Berlin?
The power of dance and expression through movement.
Paris is often seen as a city of romance and art, while Berlin has a reputation for its vibrant, gritty music scene. What’s a typical day like for you now in Berlin, and how does it differ from how you spent your days in Paris?
Each day is completely different and makes for some pretty spontaneous scheduling. Studios, shoots, workshops, writing and creating, commercial singing/songwriting jobs. The only constant is always moving my body in one way or another, lately through dance.
In an interview, you said, “Nothing like pressure to make you feel like you’re really alive.” That really struck me, as I often struggle with pressure and don’t enjoy it. Have you always felt this way about pressure, or did you come to see it differently over time?
There’s something addictive about moments of intensity that used to scare me but then I drew very fond of. I grew up playing a lot of sport, mostly volleyball and getting up to serve in the fifth set of a big final felt like time stopped and the oxygen was pulled from the the air. You can feel the same sensation on set or when performing live and love those instants of pressure.
“All the answers you need are inside you—it will be tough but worth the ride.”
Your music brings together varied genres and cultural influences. Is there a part of your heritage or upbringing that you feel especially connected to in your current sound?
I remember my parents putting on artists like Leonard Cohen, Dido and Alicia Keys which are some pretty killer references but don’t think they feed into my sound today. My music is more a product of my immediate influences like the city I live in or the people I’m surrounded and inspired by.
Your journey spans both music and architecture. Do you have a preference between modern and classical architecture? (smiles)
Both have their beauty but if I had to choose classical. I love massive industrial spaces that have been transformed for new purposes like museums or clubs, showcasing their beautiful raw materials.
If you could have a conversation with a younger version of yourself, fresh from architecture school, what insights from your journey into music would you share with her?
All the answers you need are inside of you, it will be tough but worth the ride.
The most important thing in life is?
Connection (& community)
Follow Elodie Gervaise for more:
www.instagram.com/elodiegervaise
