ELLA AIKO ANDERSON HAS FOUND THE PERFECT BALANCE BETWEEN PURSING MUSIC AND ACTING

• Pop

Mar 26, 2024 @ 6:00 pm By Taylor Winter Wilson

You may know Ella Anderson from her many acting roles, but she has been quietly working on her craft as a musician over the years. Her newest song “Only One” shows just how ready she is to take the music industry by storm. We got the chance to sit down with Ella and learn more about “Aiko” and what she is working on in 2024.

FEATURE INTERVIEW:

You’re in the new movie “Suncoast” that premiered at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival and is now available on Hulu. What character did you play and how was your experience filming this movie? 

I am so grateful to have been a part of Laura Chinn’s very special story. I played “Brittney” who is an out-of-pocket alpha-female with a surprisingly tender core. She is a part of a friend group that takes in Nico’s character, Doris. I really enjoyed playing yet another character that is vastly different from anyone that I have played before. Laura Chinn created a very safe environment where we could all feel free to explore, allowing us to form bonds with the cast and crew, which blend into every scene we filmed. Brittney brought out a fun, careless and wild part of my psyche!  

 What kind of roles would you like to be a part of in the future?  

I’d love to explore more Avant Garde-type cinema, where each frame looks like a painting.  I really enjoy delving into the mind of the most complicated, nuanced humans possible. I would love to have the chance to do many projects like that.  

You go by the stage name “Ella Aiko” and we’re all wondering, why do you prefer using your middle name for your music opposed to Ella Anderson? 

I wanted to make a clear distinction between myself in music, and myself in film and television. In film and television, I portray someone other than myself. The music I make comes from the core of who I am as a person. It is like giving the audience a window into the real me, which begs a clear distinction. Aiko is the name that my mom calls me a lot. It feels like a term of endearment and that is how I feel when I approach writing music. I wanted Ella to be a constant to tie both mediums together.  

You’ve always had a love for music but started taking it more seriously when the pandemic forced us all to sit down. Tell us about how you started working with your brother who has produced some of your music and what that experience has been like. 

Some people have a formal living room in their house, we have a music studio. It is the center of our home and our family.  My brother, Julian (18buumm) has been a producer for years and I have always hung in the studio watching him with other artists. During the pandemic I finally felt comfortable enough to share some of my songs with him and from there we started making music together. I don’t know that I would have felt comfortable enough to share my music with anyone else initially, so I am glad that my brother was so encouraging to me. He is the best.  

I love your new song “Only One”. Talk to us about the process of creating this song and where the inspiration came from. 

I started to work with Lophille back in 2023, and one day he set up a session with the wonderful Alexander Lewis and Jimmy Burney. Alexander played the 3 of us a little mini piece but it sounded like a sample, but he had made it. This singular “sample” immediately informed what the song was going to be. Alexander and Lophille started to build the track around this, and the lyrics quickly fell into place. The first lyric that came to me was “you can’t be replicated” and then I based the rest of the song around that idea. It was surprisingly easy, pretty much done within just a few hours.  

You’ve been dropping music here and there for the past four years with singles like “Overanalyze,” “One in a Million,” and “Evolving,” just to name a few. Do you plan on dropping a full project / album? Anything in the works that you can share with Galore readers? 

I absolutely do plan to release a full project. I don’t think soon, I want it to be an extremely special and well thought out album or EP. I will, however, be releasing more singles in the VERY near future. Stay tuned! 

Since you’re equally multitalented, if you could only choose one talent to have for the rest of your life, would it be acting or singing? Tell us why.  

That would be like asking me if I would rather keep my hands or my eyeballs! I could never choose. They all work together to make me the artist that I am no matter the medium I am working in.  

If you could pick your dream collaboration, who would be some of the artists you’d love to work with? 

I would love to hop on something with Kaytranada. There are a lot. Ok, I might just make a list. Musique Soulchild, Lucky Day, to get a song produced by Pharell/The Neptunes, SiR, Freddy Gibbs, Q-Tip, Free Nationals, Smino.  Those are just the first few that come to mind.

Let’s talk about beauty for a minute. What are the current must-have products in your makeup routine? 

 I am super into skin prep right now. I’ve realized starting with a moisturized base is very much the important. Product-wise, I love the Shiseido SPF 42 and the Hourglass Vanish concealer in Birch is my favorite now. It goes on smoothly and blends out really nicely with their special concealer brush. Also, not sure if this counts, but I really have to shout out Burberry Goddess, my signature scent at the moment. 

When you’re not working on music or reading over film scripts, what do you like to do for fun?   

I love to draw in my sketchbook, take walks exploring new cities, and paint detailed nail art. But lately, I really have been making quality time with the people I love, much more of a priority than random hobbies lately.  

What does your dream date-night look like?   

My dream date night would be going to an art museum and then maybe riding bikes along the beach. One of my favorite things to do is get dressed up, so maybe after the museum and bike ride, we would go out to dinner someplace where getting super dressed up is encouraged!  

You’re from Michigan like me but currently live in LA. When you think of your hometown, what are some of the best memories you have?  

To be honest, I don’t think of Ypsilanti, Michigan as my hometown. I was 6 when we moved to Los Angeles, so this is home to me. I think of Ypsi as my mom’s hometown and where we visit my family, but I do have so many amazing memories there. My favorite memory was when we went on a fairy door hunt in downtown Ann Arbor. 

What are a few things you’ve learned over the years about being successful in the film and music industry?   

The most important thing is doing what you are passionate about. I find it imperative to remind people not to chase anything surface. Do not get into this industry for any reason other than you really love the work and what you are working to create. At the end of the day that is the only way you will find fulfillment.  

What’s next for Ella Aiko Anderson? What are you working on this year? 

I am currently filming a movie I am excited about and working on lots of new music that I love. There will be many more projects across the board. Can’t wait to let you all in on more of it very soon! 

TEAM CREDITS:

Editor In Chief: Prince Chenoa (@princechenoastudio)

Feature Editor: Taylor Winter Wilson (@taylorwinter)

Cover Art Design: Carlos Graciano (@sadpapi666)

Photographer: Savanna Ruedy (@savannarruedy)

Hairstylist: Paige Davenport (@paige_davenport) / Repped by Exclusive Artists

 Makeup: Marla Vazquez (@marlavazquez) / Repped by The Wall Group

About The Author: Taylor Winter Wilson

Junior beauty and lifestyle editor for Galore. Made in Detroit - Living in Atlanta.