Previously a completely self-produced and self-released artist, Eleni has worked with co-producer Frank Colucci (Ashnikko, Ethel Cain) on her full-length label debut, CHUCK, which pushes her sonic palette into richer new territory as she finds revelation and growth amongst the rubble of a previous relationship. It’s a stunningly human portrait of love and pain, and how those two states can interconnect in the most disarming and sometimes destructive of ways, whilst also building a nurturing musical world to fall into and find solace within.

Chuck continues Eleni’s journey from her celebrated 2024 EP, Above Deep Water; her first release on new label MNRK. Having self-released her previous projects, Eleni continues to find a devoted following for her undeniable talent.

Eleni’s hauntingly beautiful sound is at once refreshing and timeless, uplifting and introspective, inspired by a deep love of music that spans from Mazzy Star and Adrienne Lenker to Mac Miller and Cleo Sol. We had a chat with her all about what she’s been up to, the making of Chuck, and what’s coming up for her next. Read the Q&A below.

Hi Eleni! How are you? What does a typical day look like for you at the moment?

“Lately, my days are a mix of creativity and chaos – I’m either cooking, making music, designing merch, or trying to wrap my head around the business side of the music industry, which can definitely be stressful. I’ve basically been learning how to organise a tour, which has been a whole new adventure in itself. Amidst it all, I try to slow down and appreciate the simple things whenever I can.”

You’ve just released your new album Chuck. What’s the record about, where did you draw influence from sonically and what does it mean to you?

“Chuck feels like my strongest body of work yet. It draws influences from artists like Mazzy Star, Bon Iver, and Stevie Nicks – from the songwriting style to the textures and instruments used throughout. I loved being able to experiment with a wider range of sounds and finally collaborate with some of my favourite people and most talented musicians, instead of doing everything on my own!!”

Please take us through your songwriting/creative process for the LP. As mentioned, this is the first time you have worked alongside another producer. How was that experience for you? What was your favourite part? And what did you find most challenging?

“Working with Frank felt sooo effortless – we’ve collaborated before, and it’s like we share the same brain at times; I’ll think of an idea and he’s already bringing it to life, or he’ll suggest something I’ve just done… There’s this little creative connection between us. My favourite part was hearing the songs come to life; going from demos of just me and my nylon, to fully fleshed out tracks. There weren’t many challenges, though I always carry a little fear that my songs might not be good enough, or that I might let listeners down, but I’m learning to trust myself and my art more with each release.”

What do you hope fans/listeners take away from Chuck?

“I hope people feel heard, understood, and a little less alone. Letting go is hard, but there’s something wonderful in recognising the good in people, even when things don’t last. Just because it ends doesn’t mean it wasn’t real ya know? There’s beauty in the brief moments too.”

Finally, what else is next for you? Any shows coming up? Plans for 2026?

“My tour was postponed because of some visa issues with the US, but we’re hoping to make it happen early next year. The plan is to play Chuck wherever I can; Australia, the US, Europe, and just keep performing and sharing the album with as many people as possible. Who knows, maybe there’ll even be a deluxe version somewhere along the way?”

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Previously a completely self-produced and self-released artist, Eleni has worked with co-producer Frank Colucci (AShnikko, Ethel Cain) on her full-length label debut, Chuck,  which pushes her sonic palette into richer new territory as she finds revelation and growth amongst the rubble of a previous relationship. It’s a stunningly human portrait of love and pain, and how those two states can interconnect in the most disarming and sometimes destructive of ways, whilst also building a nurturing musical world to fall into and find solace within.

On the new single, Eleni says “It’s about the conflict between missing someone, yearning to be alone, and ultimately realising they are not right for you and understanding a situation is far more manipulative and disappointing  upon reflection.”

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‘I Don’t Not Love You’ sees Eleni ruminate on a love that’s been let go. Her signature honeyed vocal navigates reverberating guitar strums and impactful drum hits as she unpacks some complex, yet relatable feelings.

Speaking on the release, Eleni states, “‘I Don’t Not Love You’ acknowledges that while a connection may have faltered, the love was genuine. It is the quiet acceptance that sometimes, even the most real feelings must part ways, for there is a reason why things end, even when the love remains.”

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‘Dolores’ finds Eleni softly musing on transformation, autonomy, and accountability. Her gentle, stripped back guitar playing matches the vulnerable lyrics, firmly rooted in truth, and honesty with oneself.

Speaking on the single, Eleni explains “Dolores actually means sorrow/pain – I wanted to name the song after the character from Westworld; Dolores begins as an innocent creation, but awakens to the harrowing truth of her existence. In her transformation, she becomes both the question and the answer, a symbol of the struggle for autonomy and the fragility of reality itself. It’s really about questioning if someone is how they present themselves, and realising they are not, and it is also about taking accountability in the demise of a relationship. I too make mistakes, often find myself at a crossroad, and trying to find the ‘right way’, but get it wrong.”

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Yearning new track ‘Swim’ wrestles with the conflicting emotions of a magnetic attraction: “Ignored myself too long and the purpose of my song / I’m a woman, therefore I hold power in my hands,” Drake avows.

Speaking more on the release of ‘Swim’ and how the song came to be, Eleni said: “I wrote this song after I had thought the EP was ‘finished’ but it came to me so quickly and I thought it fit in so perfectly with this body of work. The song itself is about someone making you feel like you need them, and that there’s no one else you can rely on but them. The second part of the song showcases a feeling like I was losing myself slightly, and that I needed to seek this person out for comfort. But actually I am entirely independent, and I can mentally get myself out of any rut, set back, or pain I am going through. And in this manipulative cycle, the other person uses your vulnerability against you… So it’s breaking free of that toxicity.”

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At the core of Surf the Sun is the ultimate discovery of freedom and empowerment. New single and album highlight ‘Rookie’, with its lazy Laurel Canyon swagger, seems built from that confidence. “I don’t know what this is, but it feels more like me / Living through the earth instead of coasting,” Drake sings.

“I was listening to so much of The Mamas & The Papas, Jefferson Airplane and Billy Swan when I wrote this tune,” she says. “I wanted the listener to experience the same sort of freedom I was feeling when I was writing this track, knowing I’m on the right path in life, and learning to trust whatever fate has in store for me.”

Speaking more on the inspiration behind new single ‘Rookie’, Eleni Drake said: “I wrote Rookie with a sense of openness and relief in mind. The song itself is actually about wanting to feel freedom, but also feeling like I had to stay because of relationships I had in and around my life, and once I gained the courage to make the decision to leave, a wave of liberation followed with it. I pulled inspiration from Billy Swan and Jefferson Airplane, with the song swimming in harmonies, but keeping the beat and structure of the song simple. When it came to the production, I wanted the song to have one guitar pretty much repeating throughout – something catchy but free flowing simultaneously.”

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A love song to a previous partner, ‘Strawberry Moon,’ paints a picture of bliss and connection with an old-school soul ballad feel, while soothing rain sounds sit in the background. “I went on a moonlight walk with my partner down to the sea, and the moon was so big and red, like something I’d never seen,” Drake explains. “When nature gives you something so beautiful for free, and you get to share it with someone you love, you gotta pay your respects.”

Speaking more on the lyrical inspiration of new single ‘Strawberry Moon’, Eleni Drake said: “When I was writing ‘Strawberry Moon’, I wanted the listener to feel the warmth the song evokes within me. I chose warm analog, vintage sounds to compliment the story I was telling, and I created synths lathered in reverb and phasers so the listener felt a sway, almost wave-like, making them want to dance along with it. It was written for my partner at the time – we had gone on a moonlight walk, and there was this huge dark pink moon shining directly above us on the beach, where we spoke about life – dreams, insecurities, loss, happiness.”

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Originally from London, in 2022 Eleni Drake decided to leave her life in the UK behind and move to Melbourne almost on a whim. She knew only a handful of people on that side of the world, but she was longing for a fresh start in an environment where she could feel more like herself; where she could break bad habits and explore life outside of her comfort zone. But first, there were emotional loose ends to tie up back home. This is the driving force of Surf the Sun; the carousel of emotions as Drake prepared for this giant leap.

Built upon an energising drum backbone, the album’s lead single and first taste ‘Guts’ is a love song on which timeless cool is balanced with vulnerability. Delivered with a vocal performance imbued with personality, her thoughtful production lets gorgeous layers of sound blur into each other like a sunset, a soft focus that puts her voice satisfyingly at the forefront of this ode to a partner who lifts her up at her worst.

Speaking more on the lyrical inspiration of new single ‘Guts’, Eleni Drake shared: “’Guts’ is really about when someone holds a space for you that makes you feel so full. Being able to open up to someone, share experiences with them, and they respond with such love and care for you, is such a beautiful thing. You feel seen and heard. I typically struggle to open up to people, and always find it easier to do it through my music, but this specific person made me feel like I could tell them anything and I appreciated every moment I got to spend with them. So I guess the song is just about the love and gratitude I have for this person, and big thank you to them, for letting me be a part of their life.”

Surf the Sun:

1. All I Know
2. I’m Your Man
3. Guts
4. Dizzy
5. Strawberry Moon
6. Rookie
7. Shangri-La
8. Harsh
9. Buzz Cut
10. Shades Of You
11. Evergreen

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