Elska
New York City, New York, United States
Music
Press
The Icelandic word elska means “to love” which is no small coincidence. After I listened to Elska - Middle of Nowhere, I had cartoon hearts floating over my head. This disc is the real deal: an actual (and interesting) concept disc for young listeners that’s tuneful, thought provoking, and endearing.
Taken as a whole, the songs on the disc tell the story of the imaginary volcanic island of Elska, located just off the coast of Iceland. The fictional character who is also known as Elska is a modern pioneer who lives on this newly formed Arctic island. Song by song, this album transports the listener onto Elska’s isle. The sound is as clean and crisp as newly fallen snow, a sparkling modern pop soundscape filled with hand-made micro-beats, synthesizers, and Elska’s dreamy, heartfelt vocals. There’s a smattering of electronica combined with the sound of a celesta (or is it a glockenspiel) accompanying vocals that sound as if Björk is singing lead for ABBA, but minus the corn. - Media Darlings
"...something totally, deliciously different...great lyrics and a fun techno-pop sound for our wonder-filled children...unique, break-the-mold singer who seems to be coming up with her own ideas about kids' music. Definitely worth a listen." - Cool Mom Tech
"...something totally, deliciously different...great lyrics and a fun techno-pop sound for our wonder-filled children...unique, break-the-mold singer who seems to be coming up with her own ideas about kids' music. Definitely worth a listen." - Cool Mom Tech
"...something totally, deliciously different...great lyrics and a fun techno-pop sound for our wonder-filled children...unique, break-the-mold singer who seems to be coming up with her own ideas about kids' music. Definitely worth a listen." - Cool Mom Tech
"From the first note it's clear that Elska is something entirely new for the world of kindie music. 'Middle of Nowhere' is a beautiful example of what music for kids can be: experimental, original yet very easy to listen to." - Saturday Morning Cereal Bowl
"...pure of heart, unique, musically sophisticated, and, quite frankly, absolutely breathtaking...a transcendent work that your young children will adore and hold dear." - Out With the Kids
"Childlike and playful, sophisticated and clean, the sound, concept and presentation are fresh, inventive, and inviting." - Parents' Choice Foundation
Watching Elska, kindie's bjork. Mind officially blown! #kindiefest - Twitter User
Discography
"Middle of Nowhere" - Full length album
(September 4, 2012. Winter Bear Records)
Photos
Bio
"Watching Elska live…mind officially blown!"
- Concert Promoter tweet during Elska show in New York City
(Brooklyn, NY) Who is Elska and why is she blowing the minds of concert goers and promoters
alike? Elska is the imaginary character performed by Brooklyn-based singer/actress Shelley
Wollert. The character of Elska is a modern pioneer who discovers a newly formed volcanic
island off the coast of Iceland where she lives a life of beauty and wonder amongst a cast of
unusual friends, including a pensive Winter Bear, a very friendly Goobler, a mysterious Arctic
Fox and a vast colony of Lost Socks.
In the live show, Elska has travelled from her amazing island all the way to your venue to tell her
story. A blend of theatre, storytelling and musical performance, Elska whisks away children and
families on a musical tour of her Arctic home and introduces them to the island’s wonderful
inhabitants.
Describing what it's like to perform as Elska on stage, Wollert says: "I actually have very moving
and sublime experiences performing as Elska. At some point during the first song I feel the
atmosphere change, and it's as if I can send energy through that atmosphere to the audience with
gestures and melodies. That's when I know they're on the island with me."
Elska and her island friends also populate her debut album Middle of Nowhere which was
released in September of 2012 on Winter Bear Records, garnering a great deal of positive press,
A Parents’ Choice Silver Medal, a NAPPA Honors, as well national exposure through heavy
rotation at SiriusXM since it’s release. Like her live performances, the new CD and its extensive
artwork transport the listener straight onto the island and celebrate all its wonders.
To create Elska and her fictional world, Wollert worked closely with New York City-based record
producer Allen Farmelo (The Cinematic Orchestra, Mikael Jorgensson/Wilco). Combining the
whimsy of Winnie the Pooh and the otherworldliness of Dr. Seuss, Farmelo and Wollert very
intentionally set out to create a new classic in children’s music and entertainment.
Live, Elska and her band whimsically adapt the songs from the CD using a vibraphone, ringing
and twinkling bells and a unique little synthesizer called a Pocket Piano. This instrumentation
creates a playful, sparkling soundscape that casts a spell over the audience, drawing them into
Elska’s amazing world.
For Bookings contact:
Allen Farmelo
bookings@winterbearrecords.com
(917) 304-9149
Visit us at: www.islandofelska.com
Links
