Elodie Gervaise
Astrophe had the pleasure of talking to french/australian artist Elodie Gervaise about artistry, resilience and the making of her video for ‘Free Babe’ intimately shot at E-Do Studio in Paris, following the release of Syzygy. read below:
How does your work explore feminine power?
The songwriting zone for me is a very feminine space, whereas most of the time I feel like I’m tapping into the masculine to get things actioned. It’s in the nurturing and patient way I get to connect to my experiences to a project from an internal place of power. I guess it all stems from there.
Art serves as both a catharsis and a call-to-action. It’s a profound concept that something so deeply personal translated into a subjective art-form can resonate and expand social consciousness. How have you found your practice and/or identity to operate in subverting the patriarchy?
I agree. I think by consistently showing up in spaces and an industry where women are underrepresented and trying to put yourself forward is already pushing through the path less travelled. Sometimes that can feel daunting especially when I came into the music game late in life but it also creates a lot of fuel for the fire.
How did you migrate into becoming an artist?
Back in 2016 I was working as an architect after studying for years straight out of school and wasn’t feeling fulfilled creatively. My partner at the time who is an incredible musician bought me a guitar and we started writing songs together, then forming my first band Galaxy Girls with three of my closest friends. The project snowballed and I came to realise what I wanted to spend all my time and energy doing from then on
What is your earliest memory of creating, your inspiration and how this translates into your aesthetic today?
Growing up I was always playing sport so it was only when I started architecture school and then discovered music that I really learnt what it meant to create. I remember so vividly the first time I turned emotion into song and don’t think I have ever felt such a freeing, unlocking feeling as that.
Inspiration wise I’m just a walking sponge soaking in all that is around me and everyone and experience. Like a chameleon in animal form. Wish I could say otherwise to be honest but I just draw from all that I see, hear, and am taken by.
Can you talk us through the making of the 'Free Babe' live music video?
We felt it was important to show a live performance side to the Syzygy project as that hadn’t been portrayed so far. Shot at E-Do Studio we set up the stage to play a show for the EP release party and filmed the track beforehand.
The video was an intimate creation made with a close crew of very talented friends. It gave me such appreciation for the people that I’m fortunate enough to be surrounded by in Paris
Who are your heroes and why?
Sevdaliza, Patti Smith and Leonard Cohen come to mind. The power in all their poetry and how they permeate through their art in such a brutally honest way is something I’m trying to work towards and I feel is hard to find these days.
My heroes are the ones I spend my time with and who make it all worth while, those I’m itching to ride with near and far.
Can you recall an instance where you felt discouraged to the point of giving up? What was your thought process, what was the instance and what made you believe this? In return, what were the influences that transformed your approach to one that persevered?
Actually just recently after a concert I played a couple weeks ago. For some reason I wasn’t able to conjure the magic that some shows have and technical issues sent things sideways.
The influences that transformed the time for me afterwards was the audiences’ experience of the show. Wild how you can perceive a moment as going so wrong yet so many loved the time and had a great experience. I guess that’s part of the game
’Resilience’ is a word strongly concurrent with feminism. What does resilience mean to you in your personal life, your mental health, artistic practice and your role in society? In your opinion, how does one practice resilience and what are the most vital pressures to stand up to?
I think a resilient person is someone that can take both the hits and opportunities that life throws and come out just the same, feeling fulfilled and fortunate.
The common and unhelpful habit of comparing ourselves to others I feel creates a huge need for that resilience and I try to tap back into what I know for me and remind myself that I’m where I need to be.
How has your mental health and the boundaries imposed on you as a woman affected your self-concept and pursuit as an artist? What do you believe is important to communicate to aspiring artists?
It’s an absolute grind to be an artist in general but I feel that music is now engrained in my purpose, pursuit or success aside. I’m grateful to be able to express myself in this way - the self help kit that allows me to weave through it all.
Any boundaries that have been imposed on me I try to believe are those that I place on myself. You’re only as powerful as you allow yourself to be and I think that I’m the only one that can truly hold myself back, which I find a relaxing thought in a way. Do whatever it is that makes you feel fine, seen and saucy and I think it will all work out
See more from Elodie here. Image by Thomas Smith, words by Jay Rickards.
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