The Ells, comprising Emmanuel Ndifon and Artwell Neusu, popularly known as Slickartie, are dropping their extended play (EP) today; a project that took them about five months to fine-tune.
The duo is an acoustic group known for their original compositions and electrifying covers, which bring the newest takes on all your favourite songs.
The EP has five songs, including a writing feature.
“The whole production, mixing and mastering and songwriting is by The Ells, apart from one of the songs that we collaborated on with a friend,” Ndifon told VIBEZ!
“He (Sasha Dawe, a guitarist) doesn’t sing on the song, but he contributed to the lyrics. He co-wrote the last song called ‘Highway’.”
The talent of The Ells is unmatched in that they are audible from a mile away, usually armed with a djembe and acoustic guitar, aimed to create memorable musical experiences that resonate with audiences of all backgrounds, bringing a fresh perspective to the acoustic music scene.
They are deeply rooted and embedded in indie, pop afro beats and rock, and effortlessly blend these influences into a sound that is uniquely their own.
Ndifon added: “My favourite song on the EP is ‘Highway’ because it is a reflective song. It talks about self-reflection, looking at the future and stuff like that, and how it is okay the way things happen in life sometimes”.
The title of the EP is called ‘Kapital Ells’, because a lot of the time when they leave Windhoek to perform elsewhere, they are always referred to as the boys from the city.
“Oh, aren’t you the guys from the city? The guys from Windhoek? And when we were thinking of the title, it just made so much sense,” explained Slickartie.
He added that his favourite ballad is the ‘Guppie’ song, and it’s about an Afrikaans-speaking girl he went to school with in Otjiwarongo.
“We are not going to disclose her identity, and make sure she lives a happily married life. It’s a cheery song, I love it, and I think it is the best song on the EP,” exclaimed Slickartie.
Listening to the songs, there are no hidden messages, as the lyrics are straightforward and clear from the get-go. One can tell that the songs are testimonies of the performers’ life experiences and lessons learned along the way.
“These are love songs and experiences from our lives, and other people’s lives as well. The song called ‘Cool Kid’ is about a friend of ours (an exaggerated version),” said The Ells.
What stands out is the EP cover
Narrating an event in 2022 when they played at a biking event called Donkerhoek Trails, they said: “There was a small girl, around seven years or younger in attendance who drew that cat in the background, and it has been in our music box for the past two years. When we were thinking of the cover, it was a no-brainer and had to be part of this production, and that’s probably the only hidden thing about this EP”.
With eight years of creating melodies, The Ells create an intimate experience, taking listeners on a journey through hypnotic storytelling, filled with emotions.
Their setting knows no bounds. Whether performing on a cosy coffee house stage, on a terrace or beneath the open sky at a food market or music festival, their harmonious synergy always leaves one wanting more.
-psiririka@nepc.com.na