What are your Full names?
Guitarist/ Composer/ Producer : Michele Covito
Singer/ Songwriter: Lauren-Joy Covito
How old are you?
Michele is 30 and Lauren is 27.
What is your genre of music?
Pop \ Soul
Give us a little bio about you as a duo and individual.
Well for Michele (guitarist/producer) it was the minute he started playing the guitar which would be about 15 years ago and as for Lauren (singer/songwriter),
words came at an early age as keeping a journal and writing poetry always made for the best material.
However Lauren started writing song seriously at the age of 15.
What made you go in to music?
As a duo, both knew at an early age that music was who they were. Michele initially started playing the piano at an early age and learn’t by mimicking what he heard on the radio,
then went on to playing in church and from there went on to doing much more.
Lauren however, grew up with her father who also is a singer/songwriter/composer.
Singing the words he wrote to create demos, her father therefore acted as fuel to the fire of her passion for music.
Both were always surrounded by music.
All of the above along with the emotional high music gave us both. We desire only to share this form of expression and emotion.
Are you a signed?
No we are not signed.
What is the new single ‘Take It All’ all about?
“Take it all” is about every person struggling with something they dislike about themselves, about trying to fit into the worlds idea of perfection.
“Take it all” says, “I understand.” That nobody is invisible, let go of the things you think you are and be what you know you are. Everyone has something to offer,
so offer your diversity.
Tell us more about the video?
The “Take it all” video concept is simple and hopefully expressive. The idea was to have something where we could show through expression of
what every insecure person thinks they need, by dressing a certain way or wearing a face full of make-up etc. Because the song is so desperately asking
people to take it off, take off the insecurities and all the negativity. And that’s where the white paint came in. Covering her body in white paint
signifies a new start, the real you.
The Video is great, did you have the job of what was to go in it and not or was it a joint decision with your teams help?
Lauren had the idea for the video, so we did not have to check in with anyone, as she chose every scene and flow of every scene.
What can you tell us about the new EP ‘ Familiar Ground’ which is released on the 11th March this year?
“Familiar Ground” is definitely a special project, as we desired to do an acoustic project such as this for quite sometime. Making use of a complete live band has always been a goal we wanted to achieve.
Allowing this release to come to life brought many challenges, as Familiar Ground was written in under 2 weeks, arrangement with musicians in London with only 2 sessions.
However, the positive outweighs the tiresome challenges by far, such as going to London for the first time was amazing, meeting outstanding musicians and being able to share such intense experiences with people who understand your passion, was an absolute blessing.
“Familiar Ground” is not just a special project but an accomplishment. We hope to move people in every sense with this EP.
What instruments do you play?
Michele plays the guitar and he likes to play around with synth and keyboards.
Who are your influences?
We doubt our influences will always be the same as there are so many great artists to learn from. But we would have to say, John Mayer is an influence because of his insane ability with the guitar. Always giving so much emotions in depth in what he brings across.
One of the most influential things about him would be just how much he is capable of musically speaking, yet manages to simplify what he does for every kind of listener. He is a sensitive creator of music.
Lauryn Hill, well she’s an influence to so many artists, for us she plays the biggest role in terms of her writing, she is fearless, to the point and gets her message across, with class. Lauryn Hill has never needed to become anyone else to make her music what it is and that makes her special.
Will you be doing any gigs or a Tour?
Not at this time no, however it is the plan that once the EP is released to get enough exposure by getting gigs to help the EP and it’s introduction to Elle Deva even more.
How do you get inspiration to write songs?
For Michele inspiration can come from various things, such as listening to vast genres of music or just by playing on his own.
As for Lauren, the writing process can be inspired by the simplest things, a word someone had said, a feeling, a moment lived and a melodic line is almost always inspired by image.
Where do you see yourself now in 5 Years?
Elle Deva hopes to have at least released two albums. And be artists that have found the market for their music, allowing them to travel and perform live.
When you’re not doing music, what do you do?
Michele plays soccer, Lauren continues to attempt novel writing.
If you could collaborate with one UK Artist who would it be?
Michele: Labrinth
Lauren: Lianne La Havas
If you could collaborate with one USA Artist who would it be?
Michele: John Legend
Lauren: Impossible to answer 🙂
Where is your dream venue or festival to perform in UK?
Glastonbury Festival
What was the song you listened to most that influenced you to go more in to the music scene?
Michele: “Neon” John Mayer
Lauren: Anything by Stevie Wonder
What’s the best advice you have ever been given?
“Once you are capable of transforming every fear and anxiety into a good emotion whilst playing, you’ll become greater at what you do.”
What advice would you give to aspiring musicians?
Never limit yourself, study hard and remember that dreamers have hope. So keep dreaming.
What quote or saying do you always stick by?
“Don’t be afraid just believe.”
When you are at a gig, what are 5 things you cannot forget?
Michele: -The Chords
– The crowd
Lauren: – My own microphone (germaphobe hahah)
– Lozenges
Do you have social media accounts so your fans can follow you?
Our website is : www.elledeva.com
facebook :https://www.facebook.com/ElleDeva/?ref=hl
twitter : https://twitter.com/elledeva
soundcloud : https://soundcloud.com/elledeva
youtoube : https://www.youtube.com/user/4daloveofmusiq2/videos
instagram : @weareelledeva
