Ella Thompson - Let There Be Nothing (Official Video)
Picture Credit: Nick McKinlay
Ella Thompson is a musician and songwriter whose work traverses the landscape of classic and contemporary soul music. Finding her place in the spaces in-between, Ella and her band weave cinematic textures and arrangements around her luminous voice and lyrics, creating a mesmerising, timeless synthesis of influences from the 60’s and 70’s. Similarly, Ella’s performances are acutely considered, embodying elements of visual art and costume and her band are consummate musicians at the forefront of Melbourne's soulful DIY nest. She now prepares to unveil her latest offering, the shadowy and empowering single ‘Let There Be Nothing’ via Hopestreet Recordings.
Recorded with many of Ella’s favourite musicians and friends (including members of Surprise Chef) ‘Let There Be Nothing’ is a song about making the decision to leave a situation, no matter the consequences. Inspired by Carmela Soprano leaving her husband Tony in the Sopranos, and how her choice to leave her mob boss husband directly challenges the patriarchal establishment she has existed in since birth - but requires a complete rebuild of her identity, which is deeply intertwined with these oppressive structures It’s a track about accepting something for what it is, without trying to change or fix it - and then making the choices you need to make. That moment is difficult, but on the other side is freedom. A reimagining of 60s and 70s soul influences, it sits somewhere between Baby Rose’s collaboration with Badbadnotgood and Thee Sacred Souls.
On the track, Ella says: ‘Who wants to play a game where the odds are stacked and the outcome is already predetermined? Let There Be Nothing is a song about accepting something for what it is, without trying to change or fix it - and then making the choices you need to make. That moment of realisation can be sad and incredibly difficult, but on the other side is freedom. I was inspired by watching The Sopranos, and seeing mother and wife Carmela battle with her decision to start her life again. Her choice to leave her mob boss husband Tony directly challenges the patriarchal establishment she has existed in since birth - but requires a complete rebuild of her identity, which is deeply intertwined with these oppressive structures. To quote Yanis Varoufakis, “Freedom is about having alternatives." I have chosen to reimagine Carmela's story in this song - so she never returns to Tony and the morally ambiguous life he offers, and instead finds freedom and resilience in the unfamiliar.
Kick-started by chunky drums holding down a hypnotic flute figure, which sets the stage perfectly for Ella & Co to join the fray. It’s spooky, atmospheric and driving with blaring horns, a propulsive rhythm section and harpsichord and guitar filling out the mix. In the video co-directed by Ella and Nick McKinley, the dominoes represent the interdependent structures of patriarchy, racism and capitalism. How do these structures impact our choices and what are we willing to sacrifice? Ultimately we need an overhaul if we are to have freedom for everybody.