MEDIA/EPK
Short Bio:
Elina Filice is a Canadian singer-songwriter, spoken word artist, and storyteller known for songs that defy genre and interactive live performances. Her music is soulful and melodic while being influenced by blues and spoken word. Elina has entertained audiences across three continents. Her music has received critical press acclaim, worldwide airplay, and official Spotify Editorial support.
Music
Elina combines influences of soul, blues, hip-hop, pop, and spoken work to create a truly unique sound. Her songs are full of catchy melodies, thoughtful lyrics, and attentive songwriting.
She has released three EPs, several singles, and music videos as well as live performance videos.
Videos
Gigs
Elina is known for strong and interactive live performances. She preforms regularly on her own, as well as with her band, The Kicks. She has preformed in Belfast, and Toronto all around Dublin in venues such Whelan's, Workman's, The Wiley Fox, The Sound House, Drop Dead Twice.
Elina's Story
Hailing from a very musical family, Elina started playing music and singing at a young age. She has been playing guitar and writing songs since her early teens, and started studying guitar in jazz band, which has influenced her songwriting.
Born to global nomad educators, she spent her formative years in Singapore before moving to Canada to attend McMaster University (B.A. English and Political Science).
Her first collection of music, entitled "The Empty Nest Playlist," was the result of the long distance musical relationship between her and her dad when she went to University, where she continued to gig and write extensively.
In 2017 she moved to Dublin to pursue music more seriously, and completed a Diploma in Songwriting at BIMM Dublin. She quickly integrated into the thriving Dublin music scene, and decided it was the right place for her to keep developing as an artist. She later completed a Diploma in Music Business at BIMM.
In the last few years, Elina has released two EPs, several singles and videos, gigged extensively, and worked on numerous collaborations with other artists. She has worked with companies such as Wavefarm Productions (recording studio) and Fluttertone (events & promotions), and MIH Records.
In 2019 she founded Red Vine Records, innovative creative marketing agency and record label who offer a variety of services to artists and creative businesses including digital marketing, social media, content strategies, PR, and growth.
Elina released her anticipated sophomore EP "Flight Risk" in May 2021, following a series of successful singles that were met with critical acclaim as well as official Spotify playlists. Elina is a strong advocate for queer rights, and regards music as a powerful tool for the queer community as a space for authentic queer storytelling, solidarity, and visibility.
Press
Hot Press: Elina Filice has rapidly established herself as one of the most thrilling talents on the Irish scene, with a string of lauded releases, including her latest single 'Thinking Of You'. Ahead of the release of the video for 'Thinking Of You' – premiering on hotpress.com tomorrow – Elina showcased her unique, genre-blending songwriting style on the Hot Press Lockdown Sessions' Y&E Series. Kicking off the stripped-back set with 'Sunlight', she launched into a run of tracks that captivatingly explored all sides of her artistry –with her hip-hop influences powerfully balanced with acoustic guitar accompaniment.
TLMT: An effortlessly smooth single, ‘Thinking Of You’ introduces us to the fast-paced lyricism, intricate musicianship and genre-melding hip-hop of Elina Filice.
Nialler9: The Dublin-based Canadian singer-songwriter Elina Filice imbues her latest song with a bright spoken-word style that heightens the jazz-blues pop song’s charm.
Earmilk: Despite remaining within her wheelhouse in regards to the acoustic guitar licks and jazz influence, it's clearly a new notch on her badge in regards to sound. The hip-hop influenced drums are a perfect backdrop for the storytelling and quotable lines to sit on. Pair this with the synth chords that flow in out of the record and you've got a beautiful , well-rounded pop/funk beat. The track is a true rollercoaster of emotions. Theme's of travel, movement, angst and love all bleed through on this record. The chorus is extremely catchy and really adds another ascent to the arc of the story being told.
DeMars Mag: Elina’s rapping style sits beautifully atop the aforementioned central guitar lick. She has a warm tone to her voice and her words ring true in earnest because of it. Listening to her lyrics feels like getting a peek behind the curtain and her undiluted train of thought is both intriguing and endearing. The inflections in her voice are conversational rather than performative, even when tackling social issues and this further heightens the intimacy of this piece. These are Elina’s hopes, dreams and fears, delivered in their undressed state. (Lying)
The Buzz Mag: I mean, come on. This is pure magic. Vocals that straddle the line between beat poetry, spoken word and rhyme from two incredibly talented artists. There is a vision here that sees past the standard and peers deep into the sonicverse to pull out new storytelling approaches to delivering storytelling by carrying elements of yesterday into a sound for tomorrow. A next level vibe.
Reccless Reviews: “Thinking of You” is a funky track with an infectious chorus, blending pop and funk influences with modern hip-hop sounds. Listening to it (on repeat), it’s no wonder that people are hooked.
DeMars Magazine: From the time you hit play, the boppy, shining beat already sets the scene, feeling like summer and ice cream. The music is choc-full of groovy guitar licks and fat bass runs. It’s almost possible to feel the heat of the sunshine through this song. Elina delivers a vocal performances that shows off a unique conversational style of delivery. It’s not quite melodic, and not quite rap, but falls at the perfect balance point between the two. Layered vocals give it such an amazing sound. (Everything About You).
Covert Music Club: Filice has began to develop a reputation on the Irish music scene for energetic and charismatic live shows, while alternating between performing solo and with her band The Kicks. Elina Filice is back with a new single, her third release thus far, and it is another incredibly accomplished and interesting release... a further testament to the versatility of the artist... Filice is studying music business and has also set up her own management label called Red Vine Records with the intention of giving up-and-coming artists a head start in the industry. Whether it be in music business or in music performance, it is clear that Elina Filice is going to continue to be a big name in Irish music into the future.
XTTRAWAVE: Elina Filice offers her audience a guitar-driven, pithy observation which contains a general truth that feels both deeply personal and universally resonant... The sound of an artist claiming her commitment, “Disappear” becomes a terrifically well-rounded piece of music, that does good in being so honest and so direct. Recorded by one of Elina’s main collaborators, her Dad, there are no more lines to color within, and the song’s candid, unpredictable songwriting is all the more refreshing for it.
For the Love of Bands: Elina Filice is a singer-songwriter, wanderer and creator producing foot-tapping, genre-defying music, complete with Jamaroquai-esque funk undertones and listenable lounge rhythms. Her new single ‘Disappear’ is no exception... Elina’s understanding of different forms of musical expression shines throughout this track. There’s a distinctive blues/rock influence apparent in the subtle backing provided by her band The Kicks, which melds with the overarching Jazz/Funk direction of the track... Her melodic lyrics pair beautifully with the subtle, yet powerful guitar rhythms and stoic backing drums and bass... This single is a true reflection of Elina Filice’s love of combining musical styles and crossing boundaries: a form of music in diaspora. If she continues to develop her sound and producing inspiring music such as this, you can guarantee Elina won’t be 'disappearing' from people’s radars anytime soon.