Contemporary songstress, Ellise, captivates us with her moody pop vibe and catchy melodies. Her latest single "Love Made Me Do It" touches on the crazy things we do for love. This dark pop anthem gives her an edge that doesn't go unnoticed. 

Tell me a little bit about yourself.

My name is Ellise, I'm nineteen and from San Francisco. I came to Los Angeles when I was seventeen. I'd say I have two sides to my personality, one is pretty chill and the other is spastic and there's no in-between. I can be crazy bubbly and crazy. I love to sing, but also write. I'll write songs for myself but also for others. I also love to hang out with my friends, online shop and write stories- anything fictional. I love to read as well and take any opportunity to lay in my bed and watch TV. 

Did storytelling come before singing or vice versa?

Singing has always been there since I was a baby. Remember the baby Einstein videos you would watch when you were a little baby? I was humming along to the theme song before I could talk. I was always singing. But, writing stories did come before writing songs for me. I would always write short stories when I was little and give them to my parents. When I was a little older, around ten, I started learning how to put stories into song format. 

What are your favorite stories to tell through music?

I love to tell fictional stories. Most of the songs I write aren't about me, they're situations I've created in my head. I think the boundaries are limitless. 

So, you have a song out right now that talks about the crazy things you do for love. 

Yeah, Love Made Me Do It. It is definitely about the crazy stuff that love can make you do. The reason I love the song so much is because of how vague it is. It never talks about what I'm doing or how I'm feeling- it's just saying love is this crazy thing that pushes all your boundaries. Whether its love in a romantic relationship or friendship, it's about doing things you didn't think you were capable of. 

Have you ever been in love before?

Yeah, I'd say I'm in love right now. Maybe for the first... or second time. 

What's the craziest thing you've done for love? 

I've done some pretty crazy good and bad stuff. With my last boyfriend, I impulsively bought a plane ticket to see him the night before that was like eight hundred dollars just to be with him for the weekend. With my mom, who is one of the people I love most in my  life, I get in crazy crazy fights with her where I say I'm moving out, pack my stuff and ten minutes later, I'm back.

How would you describe your music style?

Dark-pop. Pop friendly, but with spookier words, creepy bass lines and darker melodies. All of those little flavors keep it pop but give it this halloween-sounding vibe. I definitely have some more upbeat songs, but my main thing is to be more like that. 

Your fashion style is kind of similar, a little dark but bubbly. Do you have any style inspirations? 

My style is dark mixed with pink and girly. Kawaii mixed with Goth. That's how i've been dressing for a while now. I don't find inspiration from one thing in particular, but I follow a lot of girls on instagram that I pull inspiration from. I love pleated skirts, big baby doll dresses. But, then I also love big chunky platform boots and a lot of chains mixed with a super pink, light makeup look. 

Who are some musicians you grew up listening to?

My dad always played 90s rock. So, I was always listening to a lot of Nirvana, Sublime, Red Hot Chilli Peppers and those type of bands. I don't think they influenced my music but I enjoy listening to them.  

Who are you listening to now?

I love this underground scene thats starting to get bigger. Spooky Black, who goes by Corbin now, Lil Peep, Lil Tracy, I love Claro and Billie Eilish. 

Your single Pinky Promise is coming out soon right?

My single, Pinky Promise, is coming out in July. I'm so excited for it to come out. We're shooting the music video next week for it. It's a doll-themed music video, where I play the part of the doll- who is emotionless, plastic. Throughout the video, you start to see me come to life and break out of the doll formation and become a real person who feels. 

How do you define or view success for yourself?

Anytime I feel like I've had a small stepping stone forward it's when I've accomplished something i've worked really hard for and believe in. When I put a lot of love into something and it finally comes through. 

What's the best piece of advice you've been given?

The best piece of advice given to me was from my mom and I say it all the time. Take everyone's opinion into account and keep it in the back of your head, but never let anyones opinion come before your own. Never let their opinions take over of what you think you're doing. 

If you were to be a book, what would the title of your book be? 

A girl who is breaking pop boundaries. 

What charity do you hold close to your heart?

A cause I've always been interested in trying to help put an end to is human trafficking. 

TEAM CREDITS:

Photography & Interview: VICTORIA INNOCENZI

Makeup: KIMBERLY DISTEL

Hair: FRANKIE PAYNE @ OPUS BEAUTY USING R + CO

Styling: ARIANA VELAZQUEZ