All posts in: Eleanor Seabird

30 Dec 2010

Follow-Up With Eleanor Seabird

My favorite part about writing for Yow Yow! is having the chance to interview people that are doing incredible things with their life right now. Similar to the posts found on this blog, my interviewees come from a variety of backgrounds. They are singers, actors, photographers, designers, reality show contestants, and internet sensations. For the most part, they have been like us. They have started from nothing, but have built upon their aspirations to create something all their own.

Since I started my interviews back in 2009, I have been noticing how frequently they appear under my Top Posts so as we go into the new year, I would still like to continue doing interviews. In Yow Yow’s history, I have conducted 13 interviews with the most recent one being with Euna Kao. I decided that since it has been over a year since I have caught up with my interviewees a lot has probably changed with them. I have re-contacted all of them with follow-up questions to see where they are in their lives today. As I receive my responses, I will be making follow-up posts with them with the first being Miss Eleanor Seabird.

When we first met Eleanor back in late November of 2009, she was residing in London and still recording songs that she would later perform at venues all over the city. I learned that Eleanor Seabird was not the name that she was born with – though it is an awesome name – and that she was originally from America! To read my first interview with Eleanor, click here. Something I found interesting about that interview was that when I asked what she thought my readers should be listening to then she answered Ellie Goulding, The XX, and The Temper Trap – and those just happen to be a few of my favorites today.

With that, let’s get into her follow-up responses.

Q: The last time we heard from you, you were releasing your album on iTunes! How was that?

Eleanor: Having the ELLE P on itunes is amazing. I released it via my own record label Lunettes and people have responded well to it…. it’s my 1st release ever and I have to say that it’s cool to know people can download my music and put it on their ipod and enjoy it. The cover is cool as well, it’s actually a well known little record store called Alan’s and I bought my 1st album there (Steely Dan’s The Royal Scam) in the UK and the place hasn’t changed and I wanted to use an iconic piece of London since it’s my adopted hometown on the cover and Stuart Nichols did a great job taking the photo and I hope people continue to buy it and enjoy it!!!

Q: Do you have any new songs for us, tour dates, or news?

E: I do have two new songs I’m working on and in January my writing partner and producer Gaz Twist and I will be back in the studio and hope to get a single out on iTunes in early 2011 and going to put out another EP and my 1st music video. It’s been in the works a while but my mate Martin Koddenberg who is the director has been nagging me to get going so I think we are going to shoot quite soon and get it out on youtube and my website.

Q: Top 5 albums for the year?

E: I’m excited about this next question as I think it was an amazing year with so much new talent coming on to the scene and a couple artists getting their dues as well. My top 5 would be:

** Summer Camp- Young EP
They are like a teen 80s soundtrack revisited. Somehow there music syncs well with everyday things.
I love the song Veronica Sawyer (Stay Home) so check that track out.

** Neon Indian- Psychic Chasms
I heard this and just screamed. It’s such a great record and I listened to it all summer long.
The best song: Deadbeat Summer. But the whole thing is a delight.

** Caitlin Rose- Own Side Now
I read about her in a newspaper and decided to check her out. Americana music is quite trendy in the UK and she is so talented. So so talented. I love her voice and her songwriting is world class and she’s a real musician.
Song to listen to: Shanghai Cigarettes

**Ariel Pink- Before Today
It’s been on everyone’s list but Ariel Pink is a genius. I’ve loved him and his band for such a long time and am glad to see them getting well known. This album is superb and it’s catchy experimental pop. It’s got this 80’s sleaze too it which I love, its gritty and underground and well made.
Best song: Round and Round and Hot BodyRub

and my top 2010 album is….

** Rumer- Seasons of my Soul
Probably virtually unknown in the states but she’s been trying to break it into the music business and is getting her break. She’s the UK’s Karen Carpenter and her songs are exquisite. I don’t think it will be everyone’s cuppa, but her voice and her songwriting is magical. I cried when her show at Royal Albert Hall in London sold out and hope that she does do well in the states but I think the kind of music she makes is a bit sophisticated but she will do well…. I know she will.
Best song: Aretha. I love her tribute to the soul queen and her voice will just make your jaw drop.

Q: Any New Years resolutions?

E: Yes a couple…. Been a bit lazy when it comes to answering emails and keeping in touch with people so going to do that and to learn to play guitar and write good music and work hard.
Thanks in writing to me and giving me your support since Day 1, I really really appreciate it.

*****

After the first interview in 2009, Eleanor and I stayed in touch and became e-mail pen pals. She is an incredible song writer and performer and I wish her nothing, but the best for her music career.

29 Aug 2010

Eleanor Seabird News

* Poor Little Rich Girl
* I’d Still Listen to the radio
* Take the Wheel
* Candy Girl
* Rescue Me
* Young Americans

Miss Eleanor Seabird will be releasing her new album on iTunes tomorrow! She sent me over a copy of the album to listen to so I could share my thoughts on it with all of you. The picture above is her album cover. I’m so proud of Eleanor because the girl has been working her butt off on these songs. Ever since I interviewed her last November [Meet: Eleanor Seabird] her and I have continued to be pen pals so I’ve really gotten to hear all of the news on her up and coming music career. I’m so excited to hear about what she’ll do next.

Eleanor also likes to stay connected to her fans so feel free to become a fan of her Facebook page here or send her a little email to say hi! at [email protected]

Happy listening! My favorite track is “Young American.”

25 Jun 2010

You’ve Got to Love London

When two of my friends informed me this year that they would be spending their next school year in London for study abroad I could not have been more jealous! For anyone that has been reading my blog pretty consistently this year, you’ve probably noticed that I’ve developed a little bit of an infatuation w/ the city. I can’t help it though! It is the home of my new favorite television show Skins, awesome music, and home to my interviewees Alex Day and Eleanor Seabird. I’ve heard so many great things about the city so I have pretty much decided that when I’m done with school I will be making my first trip there. And then I’ll go on tour for a while or vice versa.

I have always wanted to visit Mayfair too, so this would be a fantastic opportunity to get some shopping done and stay somewhere a little bit different. There are so many interesting things I want to see and do in Mayfair, I really need to start making a list of plans! I have already started looking at one of the Flemings mayfair hotels for inspiration about where to stay. I love to stay in luxurious hotels when I travel as it makes the whole experience so much more special. Have you ever been to Mayfair?

Anyway, Alex Silver created this amazing short film from the final days of his own London study abroad trip to Florence and the Machine’s “You’ve Got the Love.”

Come watch it here

26 Nov 2009

Meet: Eleanor Seabird

I first came across Eleanor’s music about a month ago after hearing about her on the Urban Outfitters blog. After listening to her song, “Belgium,” I was hooked and haven’t stopped listening to it! I was amazed when she found my blog so I asked her if she would be interested in doing an interview. Let me just say that Eleanor is one talented lady. She was also super excited to do this interview 🙂

Q: Eleanor, how old are you and where are you from? Plus, I have to know. Is Eleanor Seabird your real name?!

Eleanor: I’m 22 years old, and I’m originally from America! I still like to call London my hometown as it is the first place I finally feel able to call my home.  No, Eleanor Seabird is not my real name, it actually came from my old landlord/friend who was in the music business briefly and we were driving along and I was trying to come up with a stage name and I wanted to be Eleanor SEBERG after Jean Seberg my favourite actress and Sandy thought I said SEABIRD and was like, “Genius! Eleanor Seabird is great!” And I never corrected him. It might not be the name on my birth certificate, but Eleanor Seabird is a real person it’s who I am and who I’ve always been.

Q: When did you first begin singing and was it just for fun or could you see this as a possible career?

E: I began singing when I was four. I started off with Elton John cassette tapes and a little walkman and then did talent shows with my kid sister (we’d sing gruesome versions of the Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen songs) then when I was about 17, my aunt took me to this music group and I would sing Wham! Songs at the mall to people. I didn’t take it seriously till I moved to London and felt like I had nothing to lose, so now I’m embarking on a proper career.

Q: Who are you usually compared to? And do you think that this person and you are alike?

E: Looks wise, people say I have this Karen O thing going on, and music wise it’s a combination of Karen O and Lily Allen, both of whom I love so I take it as a compliment.

Q: What is your favorite song to cover?

E: ANYTHING by Hall and Oates. I end my sets with a killer acoustic version of MANEATER and we want to do a Hall and Oates show of just their songs. They are so much fun to sing!

Q: Who were your influences growing up?

E: BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN! He was and is one of my heroes. I really loved Elton John, AC/DC, Genesis, the Police, a lot of classic rock growing up as I think I was in a state of rebellion coming from a conservative home so anything loud that made me feel like I was going to get the heck out of dodge had an impact on me. As I got to my late teens’ early 20s when I moved to London I became seduced by French pop of the 1960s and fell madly in love with Jacques Brel. He is, to me, such an amazing vocalist and performer. I really hope as an artist to be as captivating as he was/is.

Q: If you could collaborate with anyone, who would it be?

E: Jacques Brel, Dizzie Rascal, or Bruce Springsteen.

Q: What influenced your relocation to London from America?

E: Because I left the states to pursue a better life for myself I don’t have too many good memories but I will say the ones that mean the most are the ones with me and my radio. I always found solstice in listening to music. I think now as an adult and coming back to the states on different terms I’m looking forward to meeting people who love music, who are passionate about life, and to be able to see the parts of the country I haven’t seen, such as Seattle. I think growing up in a small town you’re just not inclined to travel so I’d only go to places where I had relatives, we never really could afford to travel much so even though I’m from America I’ve met Europeans who have seen more of it than I have.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=evwjQApJqt4&feature=player_embedded]

Q: Describe to me the London music scene.

E: The London music scene is vast. Music is on every night of the week, and there is sooo much of it. That’s what’s great about London, it’s really chaotic and multi-cultural and the music capital of the world and any and everything goes here. I will say it’s cool to be a artist here as it does feel like a community and you go out to support your peers and they come out to support you and there are some big faces around so it’s cool to bump into some bands you really like and get the chance to strike up a conversation.

Q: What is a typical day for Eleanor Seabird?

E: This question makes me laugh as I know people expect a musician to have this lifestyle, but I’m quite boring to be honest. I eat breakfast at the same café every morning, I’m usually writing and recording throughout the day and at meetings with different people I want to collaborate with, and in the nights I’m either rehearsing or checking my Myspace and then off to bed. I had someone ask me where all the great nightclubs are in London and I couldn’t name ANY! I prefer films, art galleries, photography exhibits in my spare time. And of course going to gigs to see friends play or  a really great band I like.  It’s pretty standard.

Q: What has been most challenging for you as a musician?

E: I think taking the criticism. I have people tell me I’m crap or that my music is shit to my face and because I put a lot of myself and my life into my work, it’s hard not to take it personally. I have those moments where I’m ready to quit sometimes…….. it’s not a life for the faint of heart especially when trying to make a living doing it.

Q: At the end of the day, what makes it all worth it for you?

E: This! When people want to interview me or chat with me because they really enjoy what I do and want to learn more about who I am. It’s cool to know that there are people out there willing to give me a chance and come on this journey with me because I’m still unknown, but hopefully I’ll drum up support along the way. I really love to play and put on a good show for people and I’m glad that more people believe in me and my work than don’t so the fans and friends who believe in me make it worthwhile and it makes me want to really succeed!

Q: What are you listening to these days and who would you suggest my readers start listening to, besides you of course!

E: Oh there are a few suggestions: I really like this band called the Dark Room Notes based out of  Dublin, Ellie Goulding is great, The Temper Trap, The XX The Big Pink are great and put on a wicked show,  Pelle Carlberg is an indie guy from Sweden who’s great,  Dizzie Rascal is a rapper from London who I quite think is fun, and Mayer Hawthorne is cool! He’s like Amy Winehouse, but a bloke!

Q: Where can we expect to see you next Eleanor?

E: I’m starting up a show on my YouTube channel ELEAVISION called ELEANOR GOES where I go on little adventures. It’s not a reality show, though if I did a reality show I’d call it THE BILLS because that’s wherein my drama unfolds.  Me a telephone and the lady on the other line. LOL  It’s just a little documentary style show where I go off and do stuff. My first one is ICE SKATING and then I’m going to Norway to find this red phone booth I have an obsession with. Apparently phone booths are on the historical society’s list to preserve in Norway or so my Norwegian mates tell me. So going to go on a safari and try to capture them in their habitat before they disappear.  Good times……….

Check out Eleanor’s music here

29 Oct 2009

Song of the Day

Eleanor Seabird – Belgium

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=evwjQApJqt4&feature=player_embedded]

I discovered a new singer today. She’s absolutely wonderful and I think I love her voice? This song has been on repeat all day. Her name is Eleanor and she hails from the UK, maybe someday we can bring her to the states. Can ya dig it?

Check out her MySpace here