Ella Jane: Writing Life's Margins into Music

Ella Jane's journey has been one of evolution and self-discovery, and it reflects in her music. She began her music career while still in high school, and her debut EP, "This Is Not What It Looks Like!" was released shortly after she moved to Los Angeles. The EP is a captivating blend of indie-pop that explores themes like unrequited love, the trials of growing up, and the unique insecurities of teenage life. Some of her songs, like "nothing else i could do," started as a high school literature project, and others, like "Calling Card," were inspired by her fascination with serial killers.

However, her transition from New York to Los Angeles was not without its challenges. The Los Angeles music scene operates on a "session culture,” which is often described as resembling dating apps due to the constant search for new collaborators. Ella Jane, on the other hand, takes her time and can spend years perfecting a single song. Her perfectionism pays off in her songwriting, where every line is meticulously crafted.

Buoyed by the momentum of her music, she made the bold decision to drop out of college and relocate to Brooklyn to dedicate herself fully to her musical journey. The songs she crafted during this period radiate with the urgency of coming-of-age, filled with identity-affirming moments. Collaborating with producer Mike Irish, they aimed to maintain the pop sensibilities of her earlier work while adding a grittier edge reminiscent of her alt-rock influences. The result was "Marginalia," a concise collection of creative songs, marking Ella Jane as a formidable storyteller.

Ella’s talent quickly gained recognition, and her music caught the attention of none other than Elton John, who featured her song "Calling Card" on his Apple Music radio show. Now, she's starting tour, and her music is making waves.

Ella Jane's latest single, "Dead Weight," reflects her growth as an artist and a person. It's her first love song and marks a departure from her earlier work, which often explored themes of loneliness and longing. Despite the change in her personal life, Ella Jane remains a perfectionist in her songwriting, focusing on creating music that's a true reflection of herself.

She's realized that genre labels don't matter to most listeners today; what matters is finding a song they like. Ella Jane is now focused on creating music that connects with her audience, regardless of genre. Her upcoming album will be released through her independent label, Substance Pop, giving her creative control and the freedom to make music on her own terms.

Ella Jane's journey is one of growth, self-discovery, and artistic evolution.

Check out some of her music on our weekly-updated playlist!