Eleri embraces contrast on her gorgeously lush full-length debut, Love Cyanidation. She remains entrenched in the classical training she received in her youth while also forging into the electronic expanse mined by mavericks such as Imogen Heap, Nine Inch Nails, Björk, and deadmau5. As a result, the Los Angeles-based singer, songwriter, and producer conjures up a seductive sound that is unequivocally her own.
Growing up in a small town just north of Chicago, Eleri immersed herself in music, taking guitar, voice, and piano lessons and frequenting Berklee College of Music summer programs. Once she moved to the City of Angels and transformed her apartment into The Canopy Studios, Love Cyanidation started to come to life with Eleri producing, engineering, and playing every instrument herself. That title encapsulates the story at its heart.
“In gold cyanidation, you have to use poison to extract this beautiful metal—gold,” she explains. “In life, our greatest pains are necessary to find our greatest pleasures, wisdom, and love. The album is about love and relationships. I replaced ‘gold’ with ‘love’ to represent that process of pain and pleasure in finding happiness.”
In early 2014, Eleri unveiled “Play Me,” a track blending her breathy delivery with a Vaudevillian spark and synth bounce that exudes a sexually charged kinetic spark. Chris Corner of IAMX (Gary Numan, Imogen Heap) directed the sultry music video for the song:http://bit.ly/1px82hq.
Elsewhere on Love Cyanidation, Eleri delivers a plaintive tale of unrequited love on “Butterfly” with soft acoustic guitar punctuated by her poetic lyrics as an unforgettable hook takes flight. “I Need The Chase” taps into a distinctive energy that’s as driving as it is delicate. The album culminates on the ethereal and entrancing “Wake Up Dreaming” where the electronic elements wrap and her warm vocals lead a lithe and luxurious send-off.
“I had written so many songs about my first real relationship,” she shares. “At some point you’ve got to let go and move on, which leaves you with a bittersweet feeling.”
Ultimately, Eleri’s search for love within the music will prove inspirational for anyone embarking on this journey with her. “I’d love for people to feel like they’re not alone when listening to my music,” she leaves off. “I want to shine light on that beauty and love we all have in ourselves.”