Artist Spotlight: Ella Galvin Fine-tunes Her Musical Identity with “Do Not Disturb”
In her Instagram bio, Ella Galvin describes herself as an “nyc-based *insert genre* singer.” From one NYC venue to another, she tirelessly wows crowds with her soulful voice and stage presence. Performing onstage is second nature to her. Since her 2022 debut solo stage in The Bowery Electric, she continues to expand her reach in the New York City indie music scene.
In 2024 alone, Galvin has plenty on her plate; the most prominent item being her upcoming debut EP. First teased through the single “Spare Me” in March, she unveiled another peek into the record with “Do Not Disturb” on April 12. With this EP, she intends to showcase the results of her ongoing sound-searching journey — one of her career cornerstones thus far. Amidst her EP preparations, Ella Galvin talked to EnVi via email about her latest single and how she constructs her soundscape as a rising solo artist.
Not Asking for Much, But Do Stay in Touch
Ella Galvin gets up close and personal in “Do Not Disturb,” evident in the song’s spontaneous conception. “I think I couldn’t fall asleep one night and the lyrics just popped into my head, and I built the song off that,” she explained. When she first performed the song live, it wasn’t at all like the final version on streaming services. But after some tempo and genre adjustments, Galvin and producer Tucker Bickell gave the song a dream pop touch.
Her voice, slightly muffled as if coming through a phone call, opens the track alongside crystalline synths. Then, over the bouncy yet ethereal arrangement, Galvin sings of her past situationship, though not quite positively. “The song reflects my strange indifference but intrigue towards this relationship,” she shared.
It’s noticeable in the lyrics. On one hand, she craves physical affection and allows notifications from her ex-partner to come through, but on the other, she realizes how this relationship dynamic could sour in the long run. As the song ends, Galvin makes up her mind: she’s moving on, period. Just like the song’s intro, she ends the song with a voice note: “I don’t understand how you think you did nothing wrong / And you’re just not getting it / And it’s not my job to teach you / So I’m gonna let you figure that out on your own.”
Crafting the Signature Ella Galvin Sound
Unlike most of her live stage performances, “Do Not Disturb” draws inspiration from garage music and bedroom pop. It’s a sharp contrast from “Spare Me,” where the track’s soul-tinged melody and raw lyricism pay tribute to one of her role models, Amy Winehouse. “It’s [garage and bedroom pop] definitely a new genre to experiment with!” Galvin admitted.
Instead of labeling it as inconsistency, though, Galvin recognizes her genre-hopping as a way to sonically invent herself. After all, it’s not the first time the singer has dabbled in more popular sounds. “Pink Shoes,” her 2023 single, fuses soul and disco with modern pop and even features a rap verse. “I’m exploring so many new sounds with my new EP and it’s helping me really figure out what kind of artist I want to be,” she explained.
Galvin herself draws inspiration from artists in various genres — pioneers and rising acts alike. Aside from Amy Winehouse, she has previously mentioned Stevie Wonder, Daft Punk, Earth Wind and Fire, Lady Gaga, Remi Wolf, and more as inspirations. When asked for album recommendations, Galvin suggested a few: Amy Winehouse’s Back to Black, Sabrina Carpenter’s emails i can’t send, and Janelle Monáe’s Dirty Computer. “All three of them are such amazing artists that have become pop icons but still stayed true to their own story,” she wrote. Galvin also gave a shout out to English multi-instrumentalist Tom Misch, and particularly his debut album, Geography. “[His] guitar and overall songwriting is incredible.”
Dreaming Big in the Big Apple
Growing up outside of Boston, Massachusetts, Ella Galvin moved to New York for college and later kick started her career there. Though she is no stranger to performing in front of crowds as a former band member, going solo presents a whole new challenge for her. “I think it’s a way bigger challenge because you don’t have five other bandmates promoting your stuff to all of their own communities,” she wrote. Despite her initial concerns, the more she performs, the more she is able to figure out her strengths as a soloist. She also learned to reach out to others in the music scene, both to further her career and to boost her morale.
To Galvin, New York is more than just her place of residence — it’s her muse. Her spunky, colorful onstage outfits are heavily influenced by the vibrant streetwear of the city. “It’s too expensive to live here just to live here, so it feels that everyone is here because they are working towards their own passion,” she noted. Through her 2022 single “Tiny City Lights,” she paid homage to the city and how it shaped her as a person.
It’s Looking Kinda Perfect From Here
In the last two years, Ella Galvin has made a name for herself as an artist. From her Bowery Electric debut to her upcoming record, Galvin consistently reaches new heights, evident in her annual end-of-the-year recaps on her Instagram. This steady growth wasn’t easy for her to accept. In the past, Galvin admitted that she always used to want to “skip the hard parts.” Eventually, she learned to experience things as they come and go. She attributed this change in attitude to her practicing Nichiren Buddhism. “[…] It has transformed my life in so many ways,” she shared. By focusing on unwavering contentment, the spiritual practice influenced her approach to songwriting. She writes earnestly, hoping that her words resonate with those who listen to her.
Galvin’s journey speaks volumes to the ups and downs of a rising artist. It’s not always easy living her long-time dream as a performer on stage, but with dedication and gratitude, she finds every step of the music-making process rewarding — from conception to reception. “I love when people say that they related to a song or text me saying it appeared on their Spotify and they enjoyed it,” said Galvin in an interview with Naluda Magazine.
At the rate she’s going, the only way for Galvin is up. Once it’s out, Galvin’s EP will prove her as an artist that’s unafraid to experiment and take leaps with multiple genres. She also plans on performing outside of New York — which will hopefully become the first of many.
Be sure to stream Ella Galvin’s “Do Not Disturb” and other songs on Spotify! Galvin is also on Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok.
Looking for another rising artist to keep an eye on? Check out our Artist Spotlight on Jen Mana here.
