ELASI’s ELASIR: A Hypnotic Voyage Between Reality and Dreams

Elasi is a force of nature, even in places far removed from a console. She is creative, radiant, passionate, and brimming with energy—impossible not to be swept away by everything she does. A producer, musician, singer‑songwriter, and DJ from Alessandria, Elasi transforms every track into a multisensory journey suspended between the real and the dreamlike, between the hypnotic dances of clubbing and the vibrant visions of distant lands.

After the EPs Campi Elasi (2020) and Oasi Elasi (2022), following international tours, awards, DJ sets, artistic residencies, and a constant presence across radio, fashion, and outreach, ELASI now returns with ELASIR: an album that represents the apex of her sonic exploration and expressive freedom. Released on January 17, the record is an antidote to the everyday, weaving together first‑hand memories from clubs, cities, airports, forests, and beaches.

With years of experience on the world’s most thrilling dance floors—from Eurosonic to Sziget to Boiler Room—and a background that unites her hometown conservatory studies with a production training path in Los Angeles, Elasi has forged a unique sonic language: an electrifying, colorful blend of electronic music, global pop, ancient instruments, modern beats, hypnotic melodies, and club culture.

We met her on a sunny day in Milan’s Sarpi district to talk about everything that inspires her: from the most outlandish sounds to formative travels, from the Italian electronic scene to fashion as an art form, and the importance of creating safe spaces in music and in life.

Hi Elisa, how are you? How is this phase of your life going? Do you feel you’re in a moment of calm or of change?
Aloha! I’m good—my mood always rides a roller coaster between the depths and Everest, but all things considered, I’m happy to be on tour, waking up in different (nice and not‑so‑nice) beds and meeting so many new (wonderful) people.

Tell us a bit about yourself, to introduce your music to those who don’t know you yet.
My name is Elisa. I started writing my first little songs, dressing up as Carrà, and putting on living‑room shows when I was five. My parents enrolled me in the conservatory at seven. Over the years I moved from piano to classical guitar and, in my teens, began my endless apprenticeship on the worst stages in the Alessandria province, singing and playing original songs in a pop‑punk band. At university, I studied economics, but I never stopped delving into every musical genre I could get my hands on—jazz, disco, funk, house, electronica, and traditional music from around the world. That curiosity led me into music production, starting with an apprenticeship at a film‑music studio in Los Angeles and continuing to learn in the studios of my favorite producers. To sum up, my job now is an intertwining of all these things: I’m a producer, musician, singer‑songwriter, and DJ. I blend electronic music with real‑world and imaginary sounds, and I love making people dance!

Your new album, ELASIR, came out in January—a sonic journey with meticulously crafted sounds that have always defined you. What was your creative process for this record?
It was a work of many years of metamorphosis, deep sorrows, but also surprising joys. I did a lot of research and listening before I even began writing or deciding to say anything. I had fun writing with friends and blending the music I dreamt up in hypnagogic states with more daylight explorations in synths, samplers, and drum machines.

What’s the most beautiful place you’ve played, and is there somewhere you’d absolutely love to return to?
Playing in Seoul was a dream. I absolutely want to go back to the Far East because I love losing myself in Asian culture. When I travel in that part of the world, it feels like discovering a new planet. No coincidence I live in Chinatown!

How do you see Italy’s electronic music and clubbing scene compared to abroad? Do you think it’s evolving positively?
In Italy, more and more artists are finally standing out for their style and originality, which gives me a lot of hope. One thing our venues could improve is audience care: free water, clean and accessible restrooms, safe resting/support spaces, and smoother lines at the bar and cloakroom.

What’s your relationship with fashion? Do you enjoy expressing yourself through style and looks as well?
Fashion has always been a form of expression for me—just like drawing, martial arts, and dance: a natural continuation of my music. I love creating worlds and characters through clothes, sets, and drawings. In fact, just as with sounds, I do a lot of research on outfits: much of what I wear is handmade to measure by my mom or my dear friend Giancarlo Bello (his brand is called Amorphose).

Lingerie by Intimissimi, Shoes by Casadeo and dress by Oseree

Which albums have influenced you the most, and why?
To avoid a never‑ending list, here are five records picked at random from my collection:

Breakfast in America by Supertramp: every song is a masterclass in songwriting, and it reminds me of my childhood—this album was always playing at home.

The Moon and the Melodies by Cocteau Twins: when I listen with my eyes closed, I travel to a beautiful, melancholic yet serene underwater dream world.

Elis & Tom by Elis Regina and Jobim: one of many Brazilian albums I wore out; their singing style and chords that straddle joy and saudade deeply influence my writing.

Sexor by Tiga: the perfect example of songs that work both live and in a DJ set—a direction I’m heading in myself.

Enema of the State by Blink‑182: the first album that made me lose my fear of singing and playing on scrappy provincial stages at 13–14; after hearing “All the Small Things,” I understood what it meant to convey lightness and not take yourself too seriously, while still taking music seriously.

Have you ever started with an absurd or random sound to build a track?
Very often. Sometimes eavesdropping on conversations, accents, and different languages on public transport or on the street suggests melodies. I sample all sorts of things: traditional choirs from obscure records found in Algeria, Iceland, or Korea; the clink of my mug against my water bottle; a nightingale in my friend’s garden; the rhythm of an industrial machine.

AI is increasingly entering the music world, from production to writing. Do you think it can be a useful tool for an artist like you, or does it take away creativity?
Like everything, it needs to be dosed. Sometimes saving energy helps preserve creative flow and speeds up laying down a bright idea. Other times, “wasting” time on multiple attempts and embracing mistakes leads you to wonderful, unexplored territories.

If you had to describe your current mood with a color and a sound, what would they be?
Sky blue and an old harp.

What’s next for ELASI?
Many new journeys—real and imaginary—hand in hand with curiosity and the desire to listen to voices, stories, music, and the breath of this and other planets.

Talent: @elasi__

Interview by @benedettaborioni

Photography by @rosariorex

Label: @tridentmusicofficial

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