[Elderbrook](https://www.instagram.com/_elderbrook/?hl=en) is as talented as they get. The Grammy-nominated singer, songwriter, producer, and multi-instrumentalist doesn’t just create incredible music, he provides a vital message to uplift the masses. Whether he’s collaborating with the likes of Carnage, Diplo, Martin Garrix, Rudimental, or putting out his own heartfelt anthems, the UK native has released chart-topping hits, amassed tens of millions of views on his powerful visuals, surpassed 7 million listeners on Spotify alone, and performed sold-out shows around the globe.
What sets him apart is his desire to be his own, both in life and music. Growing up listening to the likes of Kings of Leon, The Strokes, and Arctic Monkeys, he first got his start in a band before beginning to craft his own left-of-center electronic music.
Coming from humble beginnings, Elderbrook was raised in the suburbs outside of London. With a mom who favored 80’s pop and electronic music and a dad who liked country, Elderbrook has always set out to be equally eclectic with his own work, drawing on these influences to create a sound he describes as “genreless.”
In 2018, Elderbrook’s collaboration with CamelPhat - “Cola” - was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Dance Recording. Fast forward to 2020 and the release of his debut album _Why Do We Shake in the Cold?_, and it’s clear his ability to write, record, and produce music has allowed him to go even beyond his own imagination - doing exactly what he loves and doing it well.
Regardless of whether he’s writing, performing, or producing, Elderbrook cares about the feeling — especially when laying down heartfelt lyrics over the beats. His music is a breath of fresh air in an often oversaturated music industry. His debut album _Why Do We Shake In The Cold?_ speaks volumes to who we are as humans and the interactions that take place between us. Just like you need warmth when you’re cold, you need others in life.
Flaunt caught up with Elderbrook - who was posted overseas - via Zoom. Read below as we discuss his journey including organically blowing up online, the peak of “Cola,” working with Rudimental, new album, goals, and more!
**Who were some of your biggest influences growing up?**
When I first realized I wanted to start making music, I loved Kings of Leon, The Strokes, Arctic Monkeys, all that. I started off in a band, they were my main influences. Then I started listening to more electronic music like LCD Soundsystem, The xx, Gorillaz... They’re some of my inspirations for making more left-field electronic music.
**When did you realize you could do music as a career?**
I was at university putting songs online, they weren’t very good. I had 50 followers, getting 200 plays on each of my songs. A blog reposted one of my songs, then 3 blogs, 5 blogs did. Suddenly, I had 200,000 plays on this song which was amazing. I was in my university dorm room, doing what university students do best: absolutely nothing. \[laughs\] Making music, hanging out with my friends, then I checked my phone and there were thousands and thousands of plays.
**What?! How are there thousands of plays?**
Totally organically, I didn’t have a label or anything. Eventually, labels got in touch, and I went down that road. That’s when I realized I could do it as a full-time career.
**How’d it feel to be Grammy-nominated for Best Dance Recording with “Cola” back in 2017?**
That was amazing. I never really thought it’d happen. I never saw that as being even an option for me. You hear about the Grammys… it’s often very famous people that get nominated. It took me very much by surprise, very humbling.
**What did that record do for your career?**
It opened the door for me to work with much more prolific, well-known artists... people like Diplo, for example. It put my name out there so I can now collaborate with all these other amazing artists.
**How was working with Diplo?**
It was great. The first time we got in touch with one another, I was in LA writing because it’s a great place to escape and write music, and there are so many other writers there. He actually slid into my DMs. I checked my Instagram messages, “Oh it says Diplo there with a little blue check...” He said we should make some music. So we did, and have been working together a lot since then.
**Bring us back to when you created “Something About You” with Rudimental.**
I wrote the song a really long time ago. I was sitting on it for ages, didn’t know what to do. I sent it over to the Rudimental guys, they spiced it up and made it what it is now. I’d known them for absolutely ages because when I first started doing music properly - we’re signed to the same label - they were the big guys on the label. They’d been around, they’ve proven themselves. Good to finally do something with them.
**And now the video has over 18 million views - that’s impressive, did you think this would blow up like that?**
You never really know what to expect when you release music, but the reaction has been incredible. A lot of that has to do with the video. The video very much taps into mental health, especially focusing on men and how difficult it can be sometimes for them to open up. That resonated with a lot of people.
**What can we expect from the “Back to My Bed” visual?**
Pretty trippy, postmodern in the way it looks. Very artsy. I really like it, definitely one of my favorites.
**What can we expect from your debut album, _Why Do We Shake In The Cold_?**
It’s about how humans interact with each other. Shaking in the cold scientifically speaking might be to warm up your body through friction. What I imagine though, is maybe people shake to show other people they need them - that idea of needing others comes through on lots of different songs. Some are about loneliness, some are about recognizing and appreciating those around you... The whole record focuses on human connection and interaction.
**What’s one thing you want people to get from it?**
I’d love for it to allow listeners to realize, in a lot of cases, how lucky they are to have people around them. Recognize you are loved and everything’s okay. What I’m excited for right now most of all is to get back on the road touring again, absolutely miss that.
**What do you miss most about touring?**
Exploring different cities. We always end up playing at venues that are a bit out of the way… not in the center where all the tourists go, so you’re already immersed in the ‘real’ city when you arrive somewhere. Going out, experiencing that - I really miss that moment.
**Favorite song to play in a set?**
I haven’t actually played any of the album yet because it was six months ago since I last played. \[laughs\] I really love playing my song “Talking” from my 2017 EP. That song’s a little bit more emotional, a bit more epic. I love playing that.
**What does the crowd love most?**
Depends where I’m playing, but “Cola” obviously resonates with a lot of people. “Something About You,” people tend to enjoy. A lot of fans have different songs they love, that whole thing’s really good. I really miss it talking about it now.
**Have you been doing virtual stuff?**
Yeah, been doing a lot of livestreams on all the different platforms. During lockdown, I’ve been doing these cabin sessions where I do stripped-back covers of various songs. I’ve been getting a lot from that during this time, uploading and showcasing them.
**How was linking with Carnage and Mike Dean on “Together”?**
It was good! Again, it was completely during lockdown. He also slid into my DMs to see if I was up for working with him on a track. He sent me the instrumental. I got on with it, sent it back. We had it done in a day. Then he sent it around, Mike Dean got involved...
**3 things you need in the studio?**
Snacks. There’s a snack in the UK called Hula Hoops, I don’t know if they’ve quite made it all the way to you guys yet but it’s my absolute favorite. I need them. Maybe a little bit of weed. \[laughs\] And soda, then I can be in the studio.
**How was working with Martin Garrix?**
It was amazing. It’s been completely during lockdown, all via the internet - back and forth. That was pretty cool. Someone messaged me saying, ‘Yo Martin Garrix just posted about you,’ and he was listening to my song “Numb” on a boat. I thought ‘Oh that’s cool, he’s on a boat listening to my songs. Maybe if I message him, he’d want to do a song together.’ So I did, and he came back saying, ‘Yeah, let’s do it!’ Again, he sent over the instrumental, and then we arrived here. \[laughs\] I know all these stories are all really similar, but I’ve been confined to the studio at my house this whole time. That’s the only way it’s going to happen, isn’t it?
**Goals for yourself?**
My all-time biggest goal is to play a proper stage at Glastonbury Festival in the UK, always has been. All the people I Iove the most or am inspired by have played there, I want to be part of that team. I’d like to be at least nominated for another Grammy. I’d like to get the chance again, didn’t quite snag the win last time. Now that I’ve been nominated, I’d like to win it. \[laughs\]
**Anything else you want to let us know?**
Debut album out now, that’s entirely where all my focus is right now in my life.
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