Rising pop star Elle Exxe has released her new single "Queen", an all-woman produced feminist anthem, released in advance and in honor of International Women's Day.
To coincide with the release of "Queen", the Scottish singer has announced her first ever headline tour of the United States calling at New York, Nashville, Boston, Philadelphia and festival appearances at SXSW.
Inspired by her own experience in the music industry and the women in her life, Elle Exxe crafted the female empowerment song before the #MeToo and #TimesUp movements took off. "When I was writing the second verse, I remember thinking about some of my girl friends who lost their hopes and dreams at the hands of abusive men. I hope that "Queen’" will help empower people to take leadership over their lives and dare to dream again."
Contemplative but assertive in sound and intent, "Queen" is infused with Elle’s emotive vocals, attentive lyrics, and nimble rhythms. "People have been getting really emotional, girls and guys are touched by it and it’s become a crowd favorite," she says.
The crowd-pleasing anthem came to fruition during a traumatic phase in Elle’s life. "At the time I wrote this song my dad had recently passed away, I missed him and it hurt that he’d never be able to see me live out my dreams. I just wanted to give up, curl myself under a blanket, switch off my phone forever and watch TV, but I sat down at the piano instead. I often treat my inner-negativity like a lost daughter that needs love and guidance...and that’s what I think came out in this song."
The decision to produce the song with an all-woman team was deliberate and motivated by some of the horror stories Elle Exxe has heard from other women in the industry. "I love the men I work with but it doesn’t seem right that there can be so many songs in the mainstream that are 100% created by men, and possibly 0% of songs fully created by women. I thought it’d be fascinating to hear what a 100% female track sounded like, and I wanted to raise awareness and empower the next generation of girls to get involved in every aspect of the music industry."
"Queen" was mastered by Katie Tavini (Skepta, Sonic Boom Six, The Charlantans) and mixed by Olga Fitzroy (Chris Martin, Ed Harcourt, Sophie Ellis-Bextor).
The new song follows the release of her single "Catapult" last year, which was a synth-infused track filled with Elle’s riotous vocals, snarly rap, and irrepressible hooks. The euphoric rush of "Catapult" and the innovative storytelling of her self-directed video highlight how people see each other as 2-dimensional and provides a tantalizing preview of what’s to come in 2018.
While "Queen" is inspired by her experience in the music industry, the empowerment she celebrates is open to all women, whatever their walk of life. "A Queen isn’t going to cower in the corner, they’re going to demand and command," Elle says. "It’s an attitude and a spirit and a willingness to fight for those things. "
Check out the track via Spotify HERE.
TOUR DATES:
02/03 – The Barbary, Philadelphia
(In honour of International Women’s Day presented by the Femme. Collective)
05/03 – Thunder Road, Somerville
07/03 – Sofar Sounds, New York
08/03 – Arlene’s Grocery, New York
10/03 – The East Room, Nashville
13/03 – The Iron Bear SXSW, Austin
17/03 – Friends SXSW, Austin
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