Get to Know... Flossing • Neu • DIY Magazine

Hello and welcome to DIY’s introducing feature, Get To Know… getting you a little bit closer to the buzziest new acts that have been catching our eye as of late, and working out what makes them tick.

Recently we’ve met Isle of Wight’s finest new indie export Lauran Hibberd, LA-based pop hit maker SEB, Welsh oddballs Melin Melyn, dream-pop newbie Cathy Jain, and now we’re introducing you to Flossing.

The solo offering from NYC’s Heather Elle - the bassist of The Wants and Bodega - she’s stepping out on her own with her captivating Flossing project.

Now armed with bold debut EP ‘Queen of the Mall’ - which lands today - we sent Heather over some qs to find out a lil’ bit more.

Describe your music to us in the form of a Tinder bio.
Newly single and experimenting.

What’s your earliest musical memory?
Being a tiny toddler crawling on the wooden floor of my childhood home and feeling the vibrations of the bass in Queen’s ‘Another One Bites the Dust’.

Who were some artists that inspired you when you were just starting out (and why)?
My mom’s from Scotland and my dad owned all of The Beatles’ films and albums, so naturally I gravitated towards the early 00’s post-punk revival overseas when I was a teenager. When I started writing my own music in college, I was moreso inspired by the 80’s artists who inspired them, such as The Cure, Echo & The Bunnymen, The Jam, Siouxsie & the Banshees, Joy Division, New Order, Depeche Mode. The usual suspects.

You’re from New York! What do you think of the music scene there at the moment?
I’m honestly not so directly inspired by the Bushwick scene I dwell and work within, but I do try to support my friends and acquaintances when I can. Right now I’m aching to branch out and see other genres and mediums live like jazz, classical, opera, theater and dance. Throughout the pandemic, while putting together ‘Queen of the Mall’, I was mostly inspired by teenage nostalgia and dark comedy.

Are there any other artists breaking through at the same time that you take inspiration from?
One of my favorite groups right now is Viagra Boys. Their bass lines just slap so hard. I tend to gravitate towards bands with a sturdy rhythm section and who know how to entertain a crowd with a bit of humor and intimidation. I’ve only seen them once on acid in the woods at Pickathon Festival 2019, and as much as I loved it, I don’t think I ever need to see them again after that!

Who would be your dream collaborator?
Robert Smith, forever and always. Genius man.

Musically or otherwise, what are you most looking forward to this year?
Getting Flossing’s live act together. I’m really taking my time with it because I want it to be the best it can be for touring next year. I also have some really inspiring new collaborations going involving members of Interpol, Tai Lee of BODEGA, and Elijah Sokolow of The Living Strange.

If people could take away one thing from your music, what would it be?
Don’t be afraid to laugh at what’s most painful.

Tags: Flossing, Features, Interviews, Neu, Get to Know