Eli Greeneyes blooms
Eli Greeneyes is not an artist you can label or fit into a conventional box and after speaking to him we are pretty sure that’s how he likes it. The Perth-based artist is refreshing to talk to and original in not only his approach to his music but to his life in general. He takes the time to reflect, learn and grow and it’s one of his most likeable qualities. Eli has just released his self-titled debut EP, as well as the song & video for the album’s lead track ‘Flowers’ and it is gaining Eli lots of attention so, before starts his holiday hiatus, we took the opportunity to chat with Eli about the new material, the challenges he faced recording by himself and what he has planned for 2023.
Congratulations Eli on the release of your new song ‘Flowers’, what was the inspiration for the writing of this one?
I was given flowers in a relationship which at first I felt really weird about. It seemed like there was an underlying meaning but I pushed it aside as me being problematically masculine. So I enjoyed the beautiful gesture only to later find out there was an underlying meaning. The person I was with bought me flowers because they thought I would mirror their actions and spoil them more.
Did ‘Flowers’ turn out how you perceived it originally or did it evolve during its creation?
I wrote this song in probably half an hour but the production and demo phase took lots of different forms before the final version on the EP. I was lucky enough to have some production help from my friend James Mooney towards the end of the process who added some drums. I recall I then spent over 40 hours mixing this song. Sometimes you spend so much time on, something that you are not even sure if it’s good or not anymore and I was definitely getting to that point before its release and getting in my own way I think.
“I’ve tried to make my voice the glue that holds the whole project together. It was an awesome challenge.”
In ‘Flowers’ do you have a favourite line or favourite part of the song?
Not really I tend to look at songs as a whole when I listen back. I’m really happy with the vocal take which I recorded 3 separate times, you gotta keep going till you get it right you know. I tend to change my voice a lot depending on the song which is something I need to work on. That was probably the most difficult thing to do across the whole EP in general because of the variety of music I’ve listened to and made for the last year. I’ve tried to make my voice the glue that holds the whole project together. It was an awesome challenge.
Your previously released music videos have been conceptual in their theme, with ‘Flowers’ you have chosen a different direction, this time showcasing you and your band. Why the change of direction?
I think the songs I’ve released previously have been quite emotionally intense and this song is more about making light of a slightly awkward and new situation that doesn't really have a deep meaning. I wanted it to feel like the song. Fun, vibey, warm, uplifting. Playing live is when I feel the most free and I know that's the case for most of my friends who play music so it seemed only fitting to just get in a studio with the band and have some fun.
“I wanted to make something with a variety of feelings, colours, genres and have the vocal front and centre for every song”
‘Flowers’ is taken from your self-titled debut album, which is due on the 12th of December, is the track a good representation of what fans can expect from the EP?
I’m not really sure how to answer, that to be honest. I hope so ahaha, I wanted to make something with a variety of feelings, colours, genres and have the vocal front and centre for every song. I can’t wait for future projects to really to t try to make a cohesive, maybe even conceptual album from start to finish. I think that's the next step.
From the EP, is there a particular song that stands out for you, either because of its lyrical content or the writing process?
I think it's gotta be a tie between Don’t let Them Know and People (Piano Version).
They both have dense emotional content in the lyrics. DLTK is about not letting yourself be turned into somebody’s victim because of what they did to you, using it as fuel to become stronger mentally.
People is about a time in my life when I felt like I was drowning mentally and I thought “what would I want to hear in a song”? So I got writing that way.
“I can’t wait for future projects after learning the things that I did.”
Eli, you wrote, produced and mixed the forthcoming EP in your home studio at your parent’s house. What were the benefits and drawbacks of being in a more relaxed setting as opposed to a professional studio?
The onldrawbackck of the whole experience was overthinking because I was in a room on my own. Apart from that I really liked the challenge and how free it felt in so many moments. I can’t wait for future projects after learning the things that I did.
Will you be touring for the EP and showcasing it live for fans?
Not at this stage but maybe early next year, I do LOVE to play live. I have been doing a lot of shows this past year and I’m pretty keen to chill out over the break and do some skating, cooking, going to the beach and painting. I think I need a bit of a recoup before the next phase.
“It’s only now from being present in my day-to-day life that I realise I have a gift for music and communicating that way.”
You started performing publicly when you were 10 years old, so at what age did you first discover music and realised you had a musical gift?
I think I was surrounded by music from an early age, too early to remember really. My grandmother was an opera singer and taught me how to sing from about 6. I started writing songs when I was 10 and performing in pubs not long after with my mum coming along to every performance. I gravitated towards it because mentally I could escape from what was going on in my childhood at the time. Because I was so busy escaping in my younger years of creating I wasn't very present. It’s only now from being present in my day-to-day life that I realise I have a gift for music and communicating that way.
If you weren’t a musician, what would you be doing now?
Probably just skating, cooking, and Painting which I do anyway but I guess I’d just have more time to do it. I think I’d probably paint and pursue acting maybe and do voice over work for cartoons and animation.
Last time we caught up you thanked your Mum & Dad, is there anyone else that deserves a shout? And what is they do that keeps your world turning?
I think my therapist, My best friends Ben Matei, Zac Montague, James Mooney and everyone on my team for their constant belief in me and my art.
What's planned for Eli Greeneyes in 2023?
I think everything is heading in the right direction for 2023 career-wise, but the more and more that time passes the more content I feel with who I am and what I’m about. I think that path of self-discovery and identity is a huge part of my life. I need to be present, content and learn and document that in any way creatively that I can. It's what I love. Definitely more projects to come next year and I hope to move overseas in 2023 for a bit of a life change. Soak up something new in a new place.
Eli Greeneyes - Album Cover
Interview by Michelle Symes
December 2022