She’s a solo traveller, an award-winning singer-songwriter, and a dynamic live performer. Often making a statement with her super cool sustainable outfits, sourced from op shops here and abroad, ELEEA sat down with Blank to chat about the past, present, and future.
Tell us about your new single, ‘Just Friends’
This song was written in Tasmanian hotel quarantine in 2020. It follows the same relationship as my previous singles, but explores the final chapter. When someone’s been in your life for a long time, sometimes the end is more of a transition from lovers to friends. I think these lyrics sum us up, “I don’t see us as a failure. We might not have lasted but we’re on the other side”. What can I say? He is the perfect ex.
I hadn’t released music for 18-months, but I’ve been very invigorated by how ‘Just Friends’ has been received. It came out on 30 June and already got a spin on Triple J’s Home and Hosed, and even sat at #1 on the AMRAP Community Radio Charts!
What’s been happening in the lead up to this release?
It’s been a busy couple of years! At the start of 2021, I was recording more music and freelancing, then I went for an interview for a City of Gold Coast Professional Placement with an undisclosed production company. Within the week, I landed a job with Baz Luhrmann on ‘Elvis’. I worked around the clock for the next 12-months, building Baz’s social media before the film’s release. Being in that creative environment, surrounded by the story of a music legend - it was incredible.
After my contract finished in June 2022, I backpacked solo through 14 countries in the UK, Europe and Northern Africa. This trip really helped me zoom out, reset and return to The Travel Collection of songs I write while on the road. After four months of wandering, I came home with 50 new songs written everywhere from the Sahara to Serbia.
How did you get into sustainable fashion?
As a self-funded independent artist, I wear all the hats: manager; booking agent; fashion, makeup and hair stylist; and content creator. Being able to afford to source lots of interesting clothes really aids my creativity and allows me to step into ‘ELEEA’ the artist.
I still proudly source 95% of my purchases preloved, but my thrifting stemmed from necessity. Not many people know this part of my story, but I grew up on a Mullumbimby farm, in a tiny wooden house with no TV, Wifi, mobile reception or town water. I lived with my brothers and Mum, who’s also a singer and creative. She used to listen to me practise for hours, singing to the cows, pretending I was performing in a stadium. I was manifesting what I do now!
It didn’t matter that we lived in the bush, we always shared a passion for fashion. Mum would either sew my clothes, or we’d have fun fossicking through garage sales and op shops. She continues to encourage me to be adventurous, we always joke that one day I’ll be cool enough to rock some of her edgier hand-me-downs.
Now that I travel a lot, I love finding preloved souvenirs wherever I go. The outfit in my ‘Just Friends’ photoshoot was a Carla Zampatti jacket I bought in a Brisbane op shop, with a pair of vintage trousers from a market in Italy. A recent favourite purchase was an Oscar de la Renta jacket for $5 from a ‘Kilo Store’ (where you pay per kilo for preloved clothes) in Paris. I’ll treasure it forever.
What has been the response when you turn up at events?
I wear thrifted clothes every day, but when I wear my unique vintage pieces, people are usually interested in where my clothes are from.
That hasn’t always been the case - years ago when I was vocal in the media about wearing op shopped clothes to compete in Miss Universe Australia, Miss World Australia and The Voice, I was criticised, with some people saying it made me seem ‘poor’ or ‘cheap’.
But I feel good in my clothes and am proud of everything that preloved fashion stands for. Even at the Australian premiere of ‘Elvis’, I wore a thrifted $20 jumpsuit and a pair of $5 Coach heels. My Mum always told me, “It’s not about what you wear, it’s about how you wear it!”
So what’s next?
I’m feeling very musically and creatively inspired as I just got back from Splendour in the Grass, relishing in the awesome artists: Lizzo, Benee, Noah Cyrus, Thelma Plum and Sam Fender. I’ve been going since I was 14 and it was great to see the festival so sunny and busy this year. I hope it continues to thrive, as playing at Splendour is definitely on my bucket list.
Until then, I love being in the crowd and dressing up in my crazier clothes. Even at festivals, I still live by my fashion necessities: comfortable shoes, a bumbag, lots of fun accessories, and weather appropriate layers (for freezing Splendour, a puffer jacket was a must).
The rest of 2023 will be filled with travel and tunes. I’m looking forward to backpacking trips to Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Thailand for scuba diving, and Japan for skiing. I’m also gearing up to perform alongside Eliza and the Delusionals at the FIFA Fan Festival at Southbank on 13 August, and release new music in September. It’s been an unexpected few years and I’m excited for what’s to come. As Elvis said, “You’ve got to follow that dream, wherever that dream may lead”.
‘Just Friends’ is available on streaming services, and has been supported by Arts Queensland and the Regional Arts Development Fund. Check out @ELEEA out on socials
