- Words Notion Staff
PELA share their life mantra, love of Brighton sunsets, and plans to get their drivers licenses.
Brighton-based duo PELA are committed to releasing only the very best of what they make. Their new EP, ‘Little Ceremonies’ is a prime example of a hard-laboured, much-loved creation that hopes to both inspire and comfort listeners, encouraging them to find joy, peace and solace.
Beginning as a studio project in 2019, PELA are building a name for themselves thanks to their spacious alt-pop sounds.
Speaking about their debut EP, PELA says: “This is our debut EP and our first time bringing a body of work together that is connected. ‘Tell Me’ and ‘Heavy’ confront frustration and anxiety, both personal and political and we really expanded the scope of our sound with these – co-writing both with Liz Lawrence and bringing other musicians on board too. The 3 other songs on the EP – ‘holy / wholly’, ‘I hope you are Happy’ and ‘Little Ceremonies’ – were a way to transform those feelings.”
“The EP represents a period of transition and change for us, moving out of London – where we met and both lived for years – down to Brighton. But also, this EP is a bridge between where our music was and where it is going. Sonically, you can hear this sense of transition throughout the EP, with the introduction of different sounds and elements of vocal improvisation. We have our EP launch show downstairs at Komedia on Thursday 16th June 2022 and we’re so excited to play the EP in full.”
We got to know PELA better. Dive in below!
What’s your life mantra?
Don’t think about it too much.
What are you currently obsessed with?
Gabriels (the band), Brighton beach sunsets, dogs, mushrooms and the whole fungi world.
What’s your party trick?
Starting early and ending early…
Which celebrity would you love to be friends with?
Grace Jones.
Wildest thing that’s happened to you lately?
Getting a Radio 1 Future Artists slot was pretty wild. Releasing our EP, having our first headline show, and then we went camping the next day and there was the most intense thunder storm we’ve ever seen right above the campsite. It was equal parts scary and amazing.
If you could only eat one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be and why?
Any of the curries at The Hampton in Brighton.
What was your last impulse buy?
Tuesday night dinner at The Hampton, obviously.
Biggest goal for 2022?
Play more shows, get our drivers licenses, spend lots of time outside and on the beach.
Never have I ever…
Been good at answering questions about ourselves (sorry!)
Biggest irrational fear
Space, time, existence!