With comparisons to established acts such as Robyn and Tove Lo to her name, and having been championed by the likes of Clash and Nylon, Australian alt-pop artist E^ST – AKA Mel Bester – is really starting to make waves in the music world. Having toured with Panic! At The Disco and Twenty One Pilots, she’s earned herself a growing fanbase and, having released her debut album ‘I’m Doing It’ last week, she’s also not letting the ongoing Corona Virus crisis get in the way of her sharing her passion and talent with the world. PopWrapped caught up with her to discover her unique selling point and what she hopes the future has in store.
For those who are unfamiliar with you and your music, exactly who is E^ST and where did the idea for the name come from?
E^ST: I am just a person who expresses myself through music. Just another person who’s trying to figure it out. My mum’s maiden name is Oosthuizen, which translates to ‘East House’… so from there I decided to call myself E^ST.
Given that you’re part of an ever competitive, cut throat industry, what would you say your USP is? What sets you apart from your fellow artists?
I like to think my lyrics are real and relatable. I try to be really raw and unshielded in my music, and I hope and believe that my vulnerability really resonates with whoever is listening, and sets my music apart for people
Has music always been the key ambition/path for you or did you grow up having other aspirations before you set your heart on this?
Music has always been it for me. Ever since I was a kid, there was never even any consideration for other paths or careers. I just don’t feel and have never felt as passionate about anything else.
Which band or artist has most influenced you and your passion for music? How does that influence filter through to your own songs?
It definitely varies so much with time. I’ve felt influenced by Joni Mitchell to Twenty One Pilots to Joji. Whatever I’m really listening to at that time translates sonically and emotionally into what I create.
You’ve just released your album ‘I’m Doing It.’ For those who have yet to hear it, without giving anything away, how would you sum it up in a few words or a sentence?
‘I’m Doing It’ is simply put a collection of songs that give an insight to the emotional battles I’ve been facing in love and in life, and I truly hope my candidness on this album will connect with people and make them feel less alone and alienated in their feelings.
Could you pick your favourite track from the album or do you find that tends to change?
It changes, and I’m really excited about each song individually. A lot of heart and work has gone into every track on this record, and I’m so keen to finally share it with the world.
Much of society’s focus these days is, and has been for many years, focussed on interactivity and connection so with that in mind, are you someone who personally and professionally likes social media and the instant access that gives everyone to others or are you more wary about not sharing too much of yourself online?
For me, I think there’s definitely a balance to be found, and fine lines get crossed every day. In saying that, social media can be such an awesome means of uniting people. It’s often used really positively to educate and inform, and to keep people connected and updated. I’m all for real raw human experiences being portrayed online too, and I’m so here for the increasing amount of inclusivity and diversity we’re seeing in marketing campaigns online.
With Corona Virus meaning live shows and heavy promotion of music has had to be put on the backburner, how are you ensuring the word is getting out about you and your music? Are you focussing a lot on streaming sites, word of mouth perhaps more than you normally would?
Definitely mainly engaging with the world through social media. All I can really do is share things from my end and hope they reach the people they need to.
To what extent would you say Corona Virus has impacted both your professional and personal life? With so many restrictions in place, how have you been keeping busy/creative?
It’s been an up and down year for sure. Corona’s meant that I haven’t been able to share my music to people irl, but it has forced me to find human connection in different ways which has been cool.
Finally then, as and when the world returns to some semblance of normality, what’s the first thing you plan to do? What can fans and those just discovering you and your music expect to see and hear perhaps within the next twelve months?
It’s really hard to plan for the future right now, but I really hope I can take this music on the road one day.
For more information on E^ST, visit her website, give her page a like on Facebook or follow her on Twitter. Her album ‘I’m Doing It‘ is out now.
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