INTERVIEW: Elle Exxe - Backstage at The UMAs

The first ever Unsigned Music Awards was held at The Troxy last night, and it was a glossy exciting affair.

Sponsored by Liquiproof and due to be broadcast at 9.30pm on Monday 31st October 2016 (on Sky, Freeview and Freesat), The UMAs awarded 16 trophies to acts across numerous categories, and the winners included Brother and Bones, AKS, Broken Witt Rebels, and Jerry Williams.

The evening was packed with performances from the talented nominees, and wise words of love and support from the winners. Gigslutz spent some time backstage with Elle Exxe, nominee (and now the winner!) of the ‘Best Female Solo Act’…

Hi Elle! You’ve been nominated for the ‘Best Female Solo Act’ award this evening. How did you feel when you first found out you were nominated, and how are you feeling about it now?

I think I’m feeling the same, I was just really excited and happy. The Unsigned Music Awards is a new thing and to be recognised is great. I know how big the judging panel was and how many tracks they listened to so it was a real honour to be picked.

On your single ‘Sick’ your lyrics refer to a girl in a club who sees her love interest is interested in someone else. The lyrics are also about not wanting to be alone – do you think this is something that lots of young women like yourself go through?

Yeah, I think girls and guys experience it. Maybe girls more than guys, I don’t know what the stats would be? But it’s something I’ve been through and I wanted to write about it.

You released your album Love Fuelled Hate earlier this month. What’s the reaction to your album been like, and what’s your favourite track on the record?

The reaction’s been really good. Really, really good actually. Some amazing things have been said, I read a review the other day that said “Beyonce and Madonna would be doing this next year”. I’m trying to remember all the good things, I think there’s only been one bad review and when I was reading it I was thinking “I don’t know why you’ve even listened to the album, it’s clearly not for you”. But I’ve been really happy with the response.

My favourite track off the album is probably… ‘Love Fuelled Hate’.

Finally, what can we expect from your live performance tonight at the UMAs?

It’s going to be one of my tamer performances. We’re playing ‘Home With You’ which is a love song. It’s just gonna be beautiful and I think it’s just going to be really nice!