5 Songs I Love w/ Elle Leon Gallagher

We're delighted to have sat down with Irish artist Elle Leon Gallagher to find out more about what inspired her unique sound. Be sure to check out her stellar new single 'Music & Memories' at the bottom! Gilbert O' Sullivan - Nothing Rhymed 

Ok so I've been so far down the Gilbert rabbit hole for the past couple of months that choosing just one song took a while. The 'Back to Front' album is still my go-to but this one from 'Himself' is a masterpiece in terms of songwriting. I'm a sucker for a good ballad and I find his melodies are so freeing and delicious I could go on about it all day. I love the places he goes harmonically within the space of a verse with such class and grace. Lyrically he's a genius and I find this ballad a beautiful thought - provoker about privilege and perspective. I adore how percussive he is on the piano also. 

Stella Donnelly - Tricks 

Around the time I was writing my first tunes I stumbled across Stella's music and it was a game-changer. First and foremost because she has the most shiny personality on stage and fun vibes with her band that'd draw anyone in. I love the kind of cartoon-y guitar feel on this song and how comfortable she is letting her humour shine through on this dancey track. I also adore her Aussie accent, I definitely think that listening to her around the time I contemplated making records was influential with that. I think singers have nearly always adapted this neutral or instant American accent when singing and it's something I've enjoyed detaching from, that and throwing in inside jokes or a snarky comment somewhere. Yeah Stella definitely highlighted the importance of that for me!

Jefferson Airplane - White Rabbit

Does this need an explanation? The first time I heard it was in a Love/Hate episode and I had to find it and listen over and over. I was obsessed. I love how it grows and the structure of the song in general, the music video and Grace Slick, obviously. I love her voice, stage presence and artistry in general. I've played it with a couple old bands I was in over the years. I think it was the first big rock song that I sang and it opened up a world to me definitely. Such a fun and intense number. 

The Doobie Brothers - What a Fool Believes

Influential in the sense that for the past while I've been sticking it on when starting the day and I reckon my serotonin levels would plunge noticeably if I weren't to do so. Would recommend. Absolute banger. A perfect one for a boogie. I'm obsessed with the keys that for me really hold it up and escalate so well with all the voices coming together in the chorus. 

Camilo Sesto - Getsemani

Ok hear me out. We got a Spanish icon performing a Jesus Christ Superstar number here. Yes. I think he the went about putting on a Spanish version of the show and starred in it himself. Awh man I really think everyone needs to watch that live TVE performance. 1977 Spanish TV editing is where it's at but all in all it's a jaw-dropping performance. My friends in Barcelona sat me down to watch this for the first time years ago and I was not prepared. You'd be emotionally drained from the intensity. Not only for his sublime vocals but how he lives that performance and soars with it. You can see the eyes nearly popping out of his head at as sings his guts out and he ends up sweaty as hell by the end of it. I love people that can work a stage and this is pure schooling on that. 

Elle Leon Gallagher - Music & Memories