I discovered Ella Luna while searching for emerging indie artists and was instantly captivated by her sapphic, indie-pop sound. Her song “Nina” was the first track I heard, and I was immediately entranced by her light and lively vocals, which exude a sense of warmth and intimacy. Ella Luna’s music has a remarkable ability to create an atmosphere that feels like she’s right there in the room with you, inviting you into her world.

With her background in creating symphonic, jazzy indie-pop, Luna fits seamlessly alongside fellow artists like Laufey, Olivia Dean, and Clairo, each known for their unique blend of heartfelt storytelling and vibrant melodies. Her distinctive style stands out, weaving together intricate arrangements and relatable lyrics that resonate deeply with listeners.

I’m thrilled to share my interview with Ella Luna, where we dive into her creative process, inspirations, and the stories behind her music. It was a wonderful opportunity to connect with the incredible person behind these enchanting songs, and I can’t wait for you to experience her journey through our conversation.

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Laura: Hello Ella, I’m absolutely delighted to have the opportunity to interview you. To kick things off, could you please introduce yourself and describe the style of music/genre that you create?

Ella: Hi Laura! Thank you so much for having me; I’m a long-time fan of your playlists. My name is Ella Luna, I’m a 22 year-old musician and singer/songwriter. I always get stumped on the genre question, but I would say I write symphonic, jazzy, lyrical, dreamy songs. 

Laura: Overall, the world really shapes who we are and what we create. What are your top favorite things right now (ex. Coffee order, tv show, song, specific place, activity, etc)?

Ella: Well, I just moved into a new apartment after 4 months of travel. We have french windows and hardwood floors in the most beautiful historic building, so I’ve been having a ball decorating. For my book club this month, we are reading Chouette by Claire Oshetsky. I think it’s a perfect read for this time of year. I made a playlist of songs that are mentioned in the book and songs that remind me of the book, and I’ve been listening to that.

My favorites on there are Mozart’s “String Quartet No.19 in C Major,” “Sept papillons: Papillons II” by Kaija Saariaho, and “Shove” by Mali Velasquez. I am also always listening to Ella Fitzgerald, and in autumn, I love her versions of “Isn’t It Romantic,” “September Song,” and “To Keep My Love Alive.” Last music mention is Romantic Piano by Gia Margaret. I play that vinyl to death in the fall. I’ve been loving an oat lavender latte. I’ve been rewatching Little Women (2019) on a loop. I loved reading A Certain Hunger by Chelsea G. Summers. My girlfriend and I made a sweet potato curry the other week and that was delicious. I’ve really been basking in all my simple joys. 

Laura: I want to dive into your recent singles and talk a little bit about your inspirations, etc. Feel free to elaborate to your hearts desire. What is the name of your most recent single, and if you could give five words to describe it, what would they be?

Ella: I put out a song called “Orchestra Tuning” about a month ago. I would say it feels soft, frustrated, helpless, hopeful, and loud all together; or rather, that’s how I felt when writing it.

Laura: Your recent singles showcase a more intricate portrayal of your experiences with love and passion. Could you walk me through the process of choosing the cover art for the singles and share the inspiration behind them?

Ella: I wrote the most recent singles (“Lillian,” “You Are So Gentle With Me,” and “Orchestra Tuning”) at age 20. Being 20 was a transformative time for me, as showcased in these songs. But since cover art is the last piece of releasing a song, all the cover art was taken when I was 21. My girlfriend Erin is a very talented photographer. She took the “Orchestra Tuning” cover art on 35mm film at Hollywood Piano, and the “Lillian” cover art is a polaroid taken on a beach in Malibu. The “Gentle” cover art had to have Erin in it, so my best friend Grace shot it on 35mm film, also on a beach in Malibu. I always have a vision of the cover art for a single, of course reflective of the meaning of the song. Single cover art is extra fun because it just has to encapsulate the one song, as opposed to album cover needing to sum up an entire project. 

Laura: Tell me a little bit about the story behind creating “Orchestra Tuning.” How do instruments impact your overall artist journey?

Ella: “Orchestra Tuning” is a song about being a young woman in the music industry, of carrying a knowledge and understanding that attention is synonymous with desire, that desire so often blooms into expectation. It is a song about not being a beautiful young thing and trying to be a songwriter, especially in LA. It is a song about being angry but wanting to create something beautiful. I have always wanted to implement the orchestral theme into a song but didn’t know how, and I think it happened so seamlessly here. Growing up surrounded by great musicians of every genre, I have such an appreciation and curiosity of all instruments, especially the ones I don’t play. I find the concept of an instrument to be fundamental to viewing myself as an artist because at the end of the day, I am also just an instrument. I am a flute and a mandolin and a viola and a harp. That is just the truth. 

Laura: How do different forms of media affect your songwriting? Are there specific books or movies or music you feel reflect your music or inspired it? If you could place your music in any form of media where would they be?

Ella: Alternative forms of media have always been a source of inspiration for me. I wrote a song the first time I watched Portrait of a Lady on Fire and the first time I read Marigold & Rose. When I am feeling stuck on phrasing or diction, reading the work of authors I admire digs me out of the rut. I find it difficult to be as inspired by other songwriters, but writers of books or poetry fuel me. All of the books I read are reflected in my songs, especially those by Mary Oliver and Eve Babitz. When I am learning many new things in a book I feel deeply inspired, particularly in Symphony of Secrets and The Violin Conspiracy by Brendan Slocumb, Lucy and Annie John by Jamaica Kincaid, Chouette and Poor Deer by Claire Oshetsky, and Ice by Anna Kavan. I love to see my songs on playlists for reading. I love that my lyricism can be akin to narratives people love. I would love to someday have a song in a movie adaptation of a book I love. That’s a dream for sure.

Laura: Lastly, do you have any upcoming news or projects you would like to share!

Ella: I’m so excited to be performing symphonic arrangements of my songs with the Symphony of the Rockies on November 23rd at the Newman Center for Performing Arts in Denver. I have been working on arranging this music for over a year now. It will be a magical musical night. Oh, and I am most definitely writing my next album as we speak.