Singer-songwriter Ella Smoker, also known as gglum, has discovered that her subconscious has been talking to her with strange thoughts as she’s aged. Sometimes these thoughts come to her when she’s dreaming, other times they come to her whilst she’s in the midst of writing lyrics. She has been able to learn how to embrace her subconscious and has found a producer in Karma Kid – whom produced for artists like Maisie Peters, Shygirl, and Connie Constance – that has helped her develop into a more open, outgoing artist. She has also found the joy in collaboration, which helped create her latest hit record, an expertly balanced blend of light and shade that features a mix of spoken and sung vocals.
Smoker describes her music as being more about making musical spaces that you can see yourself living in, rather than just recording songs. She has been recently added to Rough Trade On The Rise, a showcase for emerging musicians that the company is most excited to hear. In her spare time, she likes to listen to records like Trick by Alex G, The Microphones’ The Glow Pt.2, “Dragon New Warm Mountain I Believe In You” by Big Thief, the Call Me By Your Name soundtrack, and Inference 3 by Fog Lake.
Throughout her career, Smoker has had multiple defining moments that have helped her develop as an artist. Supporting Jadu Heart in the UK/Europe with her band, leaving her job in a coffee shop to focus on music, meeting Karma Kid, playing at All Points East while the smoke machine malfunctioned, and writing her debut album The Garden Dream have all played their part in helping her growth, and she feels proud of what she has achieved in such a short period of time.
Smoker has put together her VIP after-party for the album’s release: her five guests are her parents, artist Hugo Simberg (whose art is featured on the album cover), Joe Strummer, and Hayley Williams. On tour, Smoker relies on snacks like Lucozade Sport, satsumas, hummus and sweet chili crisps, biscuits, and cheese strings to keep her going.
gglum’s brand new track ‘SPLAT!’ is now available to stream on YouTube
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