Berlin-based Eilis Frawley combines drums, spoken word and live visuals to make post-punk that doesn’t slot neatly into anyone else’s box. Ahead of her appearance at the now SOLD OUT LOUD WOMEN Fest Newport, we caught up with Eilis to talk climate anxiety, getting rid of presale tickets, surviving financially as a musician, and why she’d quite like Kim Gordon, Dry Cleaning and Laurie Anderson on the same bill.
Tell us about your music.
Spoken word post-punk.
My new album GUILT is out on 6 November, with singles coming out in the run-up to it.
‘Broken Ankles’ is a song I wrote years ago about the climate crisis, but it hits so hard right now.
What’s the Berlin music community like?
Berlin is home to an uncountable amount of creatives. I’m fortunate to work at the local venue Neue Zukunft and get to see the Berlin community thrive weekly.
The music I make doesn’t exactly fit into one scene, which makes it both interesting and sometimes difficult to place.
If you could rip up the music industry rulebook, what would you change first?
I would get rid of presale tickets. It causes so much stress, especially for newer acts, promoters and venues.
Let’s get back to flyers and showing up for each other in real life.
Have any songs come from unexpected places?
I met a very old couple, both over 90, in a hospital. Their love for each other was something I hadn’t seen before. It was so touching I needed to write a line for them.
What’s been the biggest hurdle?
Money is always the biggest struggle. How do you pay people properly and keep afloat?
Until a few years ago I was trying to work 100% as a musician, but taking a freelance job at a venue changed my stress around money in music, along with applying for every grant under the sun.
What have been the big pinch-me moments?
Being played on KEXP. Such a huge dream of mine!
Going on tour supporting Los Bitchos was also a great experience.
Who’s on the dream bill?
Me + Kim Gordon + Dry Cleaning + Laurie Anderson.
What’s next?
More singles are coming on 2 October and 24 October, followed by GUILT on 6 November.
I’ll also be touring in the UK around LOUD WOMEN.
Find music, dates and more from Eilis Frawley here.
Catch Eilis Frawley at LOUD WOMEN Fest Newport at Le Pub on Saturday 3 October, alongside 1blackfrend + Cape Orange + emmy woods + Hairdye + I, Doris + Lady Garden + Local Rainbow + ScareBears + SheBeat + The NaNaz. The festival is now SOLD OUT.
