#51 Elia F. Compton - This Moment
Elia F. Compton is a Margate-based singer-songwriter who lists 90s R&B and modern artists like Anderson .Paak, among her influences. In her latest project, the artist has teamed up with producers Andan Brown and Jedidiah Allcock to develop an EP, scheduled for release later in the year.
I caught up with her over the phone ahead of her debut single, ‘This Moment,’ to talk about staying creative during lockdown and the other projects she is involved in.
Hey Liv, Where are you currently based during lockdown? Are you in Margate?
Yes, this is where I’m based, this colourful seaside town in Kent. I’ve lived here on and off for the last few years, and now I’m fully stationed here, enjoying being in one place. I’m writing music from here and working remotely with my producers who are London and Brighton based.
What’s the live music scene like in Margate, has it got a big creative community?
A lot of creatives are attracted to Margate, and there’s opportunity to collaborate with some fantastic artists. There’s some great music coming out of Margate. There are also some unique and intimate venues that I’m hoping to play at once Covid has blown over.
And how did you first get into music, was it something you grew up with?
I grew up in a household where music was definitely celebrated. We always had music playing in the house. I think I always loved singing because it was a way for me to find my voice. In recent years I’ve explored the use of voice and identity connected to themes of womanhood. In a world where women are often expected not to take up much space, voice can be a powerful tool to reclaim space in an uncompromising way.
Was music in your family growing up then?
One of my earliest memories was singing with my Grandmother and playing the piano together. As a child, I was encouraged to take piano and singing lessons, and then I paused and focused on finding my own voice and sound. It’s only relatively recently that I’ve returned to the piano as a means of songwriting.
The EP is a collaborative effort; how did that come together?
One of the producers, a friend of mine, I’d be writing with for some time. He then put me in touch with Jed, who was living in Montreal and mastered one of my tracks. We started writing together, and Jed ended up moving back to Brighton and living just up the road from me, it was serendipitous, mad timing. That’s when the project started with the three of us. It’s been cool because we all have different influences and musical backgrounds, so combining them has resulted in something special.
Speaking of influences, who has inspired you?
I love Christine and the Queens, I think she’s phenomenal, she’s definitely influenced our work. Little Dragon, too, the most recent album is fantastic, and Kaytranada’s album which came out last year. Soulful vocalists like Charlotte Day Wilson also influence me; I love her production.
Talking more about the track, I understand that it came together during lockdown, how was that process for you?
The track’s basis came together when I was having a rough start to the year and was a bit fed up with the daily grind of London. Then lockdown happened, and we all witnessed the stripping of routine, for better or worse. The song became more energetic and uplifting, a reminder to acknowledge and celebrate small moments in our days, despite all the instability. It was an interesting transition as we were finishing the production for this track, having calls over Zoom rather than in person, but that’s normal for so many people.
There’s a lot of talk of how lockdown impacts people’s creativity and encourages them to be creative in new ways, how has this period affected you?
I think like many people, I’ve gone through highs and lows, and I’ve had moments of feeling a bit paralysed by the need to be productive during this time. I’ve also had some real breakthroughs. It’s been the best opportunity to cut out some of the distractions and tune into some meaningful work.
Are there any artists at the moment who are inspiring you?
In the last week, as the BLM movement has gained momentum worldwide, I’ve been listening to black artists speaking up about racism and injustice in their work. I’ve listened to a lot of Gil Scott Heron and the powerful messages in his music.
Tell me a bit about other projects you’ve got going on alongside your music
Something I do alongside my music is support women’s health rights, both in the U.K and abroad. I’m currently working for an arts-based, survivor-led organisation that campaigns against female genital cutting/mutilation (FGC/M), an indicator of gender violence and a human rights violation. Despite FGC/M happening in the U.K, it’s surprising how little it’s talked about. The charity really believes in using the arts to educate and inspire, and I’m exploring how I can use music as a platform to open up the dialogue surrounding these issues and share the work of voices who need to be heard.
How did you start working with this organisation, and what prompted you to get involved with FGC/M?
I met the co-founder of this charity and was wowed by her. I joined as a researcher, and I’m now working as a development producer on one of their projects. Each week I get to call in with a team of producers, film-makers, and musicians, which I love. Speaking to the second part of your question, why FGC/M specifically, well, it encompasses a lot of important things – gender justice, sexual and reproductive health rights, and human rights.
It sounds like really great work you guys are doing. For those who aren’t necessarily familiar with FGC/M, could you tell me a bit more about it?
So FGC/M is a harmful procedure practiced on women for non-medical reasons. It’s recognised internationally as an indicator of gender violence. It’s happening all over the world, including the UK, despite the fact that it’s illegal. It’s estimated that at least 200 million women and girls alive today, in over 30 countries have been cut. It’s also a hugely stigmatised issue... at the moment we’re working with activists in Sierra Leone who want to talk about it publicly. Still, it is so taboo that it could put them at risk. Ultimately the subject of FGM/C is dangerous. As the charity is survivor-led, the message and direction of the charity is driven by the needs of the women who require our help.
Lastly, if people want to help and get involved with the prevention of FGC/M, what’s the best way to do that at the moment?
I’ll be sharing information about the charity and some upcoming ways that people can be involved on my Instagram page. I’m also aiming to do a live stream to fundraise for them, so stay tuned for that. I also use my page to share work by incredible FGC/M activists who have a lot of expertise and knowledge on the subject.
Keep up with Elia. F Compton on Instagram and Facebook.
By Ashley Graham