Eli Preiss Dives Deep: Exclusive Interview on Crafting 'b.a.d.' Album

Eli Preiss, the Austrian artist recently dropped the infectious single "(von hier bis) Tokio," a track born from a technical hiccup turned stroke of inspiration. Collaborating with Vienna-based producer prodbypengg, Preiss's transition from English to German sound is a journey that goes back to 2019. Now an independent artist again, Preiss embraces creative control and ownership of masters, excitedly delving into a new chapter. Her album "b.a.d." serves as a musical diary, capturing the shadows and light of life. With a genre-blurring approach, Preiss paints an emotional rollercoaster, offering listeners a diverse and relatable musical journey. Check out our exclusive chat with the one and only Eli!

Eli, your new single "(von hier bis) Tokio" has a captivating sound. Can you share the inspiration behind the song and what it means to you?

It's actually a funny story! Prodbypengg and I worked on a completely different song for hours and hours. However, in the end, the render got messed up, and we couldn't fix it. I was a little frustrated and about to leave when he said, "Listen to this, it's something fun I did for my producer tape." He already had most of the sounds in the beat, and one of them reminded me of my trip to Tokyo. So, I decided to stay and write something without overthinking it. It ended up becoming one of my best songs, lol.

Working with the Vienna-based producer prodbypengg on this single must have been an exciting experience. How did this collaboration come about, and how did it influence the creative process?

I've known him for years! We worked on English songs back in 2019, and he was one of the producers who helped me transition to a German sound without it sounding cringe, haha!

You're embarking on a new phase as an (again) independent artist. What led to this decision, and how does it feel to take more control of your musical journey?

I love it so far! Honestly, I've always felt independent, even when I had a label; they allowed me to make 100% of the creative decisions, which is super important to me. It's an even better feeling to own my masters, so I'm hyped for this new/back-to-the-old chapter 

Your album "b.a.d." is described as a musical diary reflecting both the shadows and moments of light in life. Can you share a bit about the personal experiences that inspired the album?

I've always experienced quite severe winter depressions and wanted to gather all the deep/dark thoughts I have during that time for this album. At some point, it became too heavy, so I added a few lighter tracks like "konzentrier dich" or "wein in wien," which sound cuter. However, if you listen closely, they also encompass some profound stories about anxiety, sadness, and loss.

The album combines a mix of genres, from Hip Hop to Club-Sounds and R&B. How do you approach blending these diverse elements, and what do you hope listeners take away from the musical journey of "b.a.d."?

It's an up-and-down journey, and I wanted to paint the emotional rollercoaster with lyrics, but also through the music. There are definitely some songs for a confidence boost in there as well! I am hoping to provide people with something to relate to in every mood.

The songs on "b.a.d." seem to offer a genuine glimpse into your world. Are there specific stories or experiences that you feel particularly connected to on this album?

"Fern von mir," for example, is about a toxic friendship I had during 2022 and 2023. I can't even explain how much this affected me. My urge to please people is translated into a song called "phasen." The more risqué side of me is expressed in "bad bitchez," etc. It's like shining a light on the dark spot inside my heart.

Your music is often noted for breaking away from genre conventions. How do you navigate this unconventional path, and what challenges or rewards come with creating music that doesn't conform to expectations?

I guess the challenge is that mainstream media can't really put me in a box, so they'd rather talk about someone who is easier to summarize. The rewards are my fans. I feel like I don't have fans for only one song; they seem to love the whole package, including the music videos and live performances once they discover me. Personally, the reward for me is also that I can do whatever I want because that's what I've always done when it comes to genres!

Your music skillfully navigates between the underground and mainstream. How do you find the balance between staying true to your artistic vision and reaching a broader audience?

It's a gut feeling! Also, one time, I heard someone say, "Do one for the people and two for yourself," and that kind of got stuck in my head subconsciously.

Follow Eli Preiss on Instagram @elipreiss911
For more information about tour dates, visit: Eli Preiss Tour Dates
Photography: Dela Charles @dela.charles

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