Elkka

Elkka
Birth name	Emma Kirby
Born	1988 (1988)
Origin	Cardiff, Wales
Years active	2016–present
Labels	Technicolor femme culture
Website	www.elkka.com

Emma Kirby (born 1988, in Cardiff), known as Elkka, is a Welsh producer, vocalist, and DJ.^[1] With a background of songwriter and vocalist for Elkka is best known for winning the Essential Mix of the Year (BBC1) in 2021. She is also known as the co-founder of femme culture, which she founded with her partner Alex Lambert, an inclusive queer platform.^[2] The label organizes the annual HeForShe compilation,^[3] and all profits go to the charity U.N. Women.^[4]

Early life

Born in Cardiff, Wales, Elkka started her career as a songwriter.^[1][5][6] She grew up listening to RnB, pop stars such as Britney Spears, Spice Girls, Rihanna and wanted to become a pop vocalist.^[7][8] In 2016, Elkka switched from writing to producing music after being inspired by musicians such as Laurie Anderson and Imogen Heap.^[1]

Career

Elkka has released music on Local Action, Ninja Tune, and her own label femme culture as well as providing remixes for Kelly Lee Owens,^[9] Hector Plimmer,^[10] and Ela Minus.^[11]

In May 2021, her extended play (EP), Euphoric Melodies, was released.^[12] It is a fusion of house and electronica genres.^[7]

In November 2021, her second EP, Harmonic Melodies, was released under the Technicolor imprint.^[13] In the same year, she received Essential Mix of the Year award.^[14][13] Following her award for Essential Mix of the Year 2021 for BBC Radio 1, Elkka was made BBC Radio 1 Resident in April 2022, alongside Ben UFO, Andy C, TSHA, and others.^[15]

In August 2021 Elkka won the Association of Independent Music award for Best Independent Remix for her remix of Ela Minus - Megapunk.^[16]

In November 2021 Elkka was nominated in the DJ Mag Awards for Best Breakthrough Producer.^[17]

On tour, Elkka has supported Caribou and Jon Hopkins,^[18] and she has played at significant venues and festivals including Glastonbury Festival,^[19] All Points East,^[20] and O2 Academy Brixton.^[21][22]

In June 2024 Elkka released her debut album, Prism of Pleasure, under Ninja Tune.^[23]

Elkka is also known for founding a record label named femme culture.^[24] The label organizes the annual HeForShe compilation with the help of UN Women.^[24][25]

Discography

• Harmonic Melodies (2021)^[26]
• Euphoric Melodies (2021)^[5][27]
• I Miss Raving (2020)
• Prism of Pleasure (2024)^{[28] [23]}

Awards and nominations

BBC Radio 1 Awards

Selected awards

Year	Award	Nominated work	Category	Result
2021	BBC Radio 1	Elkka	Essential Mix of the Year	Won

Other Awards

• AIM Independent Remix of the Year (2021)
• Nominated Breakthrough Producer of The Year in the DJ Mag Awards (2021)^[29]

References

1. "Elkka". Future Music. ProQuest 2544916778.
2. "Get to know Elkka, the Femme Culture founder merging classic and future-facing sounds". Mixmag.
3. "femme culture announces 'HeForShe Vol.4' compilation for UN Women". DJMag.com. 4 March 2022.
4. "femme culture release charity compilation in aid of UN Women". Mixmag.
5. "Elkka Produces 'Euphoric Melodies' on Her New EP". PopMatters. ProQuest 2553563590.
6. "Elkka is back on Technicolour with new EP, Harmonic Frequencies". Ra.co.
7. "Elkka: "I visited Floating Points at his studio, which was like Charlie and the Chocolate Factory"". MusicRadar. 15 July 2021.
8. "Interview Ellka" – via PressReader.
9. "Mary Anne Hobbs announces Kelly Lee Owens, TAAHLIAH, HAAi, Nia Archives for All Queens Radio 6 residency". DJMag.com. 4 October 2022.
10. "Hector Plimmer in The Lab LDN". Mixmag.
11. "TSHA selects five producers who will define the next generation". Mixmag.
12. "'My energy comes from optimism': the hopeful music of spring 2021". The Guardian. 28 April 2021.
13. "First Spin: The Week's Best New Dance Tracks From Kaytranada, Fred Again, Krewella & More". Billboard. 19 November 2021.
14. "BBC Radio 1 – Radio 1's Essential Mix, Elkka (2021 Essential Mix of the Year shortlist)". BBC.
15. "Andy C, TSHA, Ben UFO, Dance System, Elkka and Mantra to join BBC Radio 1's Residency". Bbc.co.uk.
16. Metcalfe, Simon (26 August 2021). "AIM AWARDS 2021 WINNERS REVEALED".
17. "DJ Mag's Best of British 2021 award winners have been announced". DJMag.com. 15 December 2021.
18. Martin, Felicity (17 May 2021). "Elkka: euphoric electronica to soundtrack mid-rave hugs with mates". NME.
19. Dayus, Oscar (30 May 2022). "Glastonbury Festival 2022 full line-up and set times announced". Bristol Post.
20. Richards, Will (22 November 2021). "Nick Cave, The National, Tame Impala, Kraftwerk and more for All Points East 2022". NME.
21. Greenwood, Douglas. "Things to do this week, July 2022, according to i-DD". Vice.
22. "Make some noise! The 10 best early summer music festivals". Herald Scotland. 24 April 2022.
23. Robinson, Otis (6 June 2024). "Elkka – 'Prism Of Pleasure' review: contemplative yet club-ready bangers". NME. Retrieved 17 July 2024.
24. "Get to know Elkka, the Femme Culture founder merging classic and future-facing sounds". Mixmag.
25. "femme culture relaunches with its first release since 2020". Mixmag.
26. Murray, Robin (21 October 2021). "Elkka Shares Beatific New Track 'Voices'". Clash.
27. "9 albums to stream this week". Dazed. 21 May 2021.
28. "Prism of Pleasure, by Elkka". Elkka. Retrieved 21 October 2024.
29. "DJ Mag Best of British Awards 2021: Voting is now open". DJMag.com. 17 November 2021.