Feature: ELDR Decodes “Defender (KJS Remix)”
How did you come up with the idea?
“Defender (Remix)” is a stripped-back take on the very first song I ever wrote as ELDR- the original was the title track of my debut EP. It came to me like a lightning bolt. I had just fallen in love with the man who is now my husband, and I was at film school at the time. The lyrics and melody arrived as I was walking up the road to class- I ran straight into the studio to record them before they vanished. Lines like ‘I am your defender’ and ‘when I’m alone with you, it’s telling, why listen to reason?’ capture that intoxicating moment when you abandon everything and throw yourself into love. I want everyone to feel that in the music.
How did you work with the producer or engineers to bring your vision for "Defender (KJS Remix)" to life?
The track was produced with my long-time collaborator Knut Jonas Sellevold, just before he moved back to Norway. I named it the ‘KJS Remix’ in his honour. (He also makes brilliant hip-hop tapes as ‘King Knut.’) It actually began as an adaptation for a stripped-down live show where I couldn’t have live drums. We replaced the guitar line with lo-fi tones to create space, and Knut added programmed percussion and rhythmic breaks. Combined with the dreamy guitar bends and layered vocals, it suddenly felt so much fresher. It’s called a ‘remix,’ but really it’s a new evolution in my sound moving forward.
What was your favorite moment in making the music video?
Making this video was a mad journey- starting in a forest and ending with AI! My favourite part was riding Darcy the horse. I was pretty nervous, as I hadn’t ridden since childhood, and the elaborate outfit didn’t make it easier! But Darcy was a natural, and I felt such a connection with her- she happily munched from all trees between takes. Filming on my aunt and uncle’s land felt special too; we spent a lot of time there as kids, and it’s infused with memories of my late mother. That gave the video an extra layer of meaning. The concept was inspired by a kind of gothic Alice in Wonderland, and in the edit we blended AI effects with the organic footage, which was mind-blowing. And of course, working with the whole team was amazing- from Laxmi Matahari Dorrego, who plays the angel, to my partner/director Philip James McGoldrick, designer & stylist Matahari Devi, DOP Miles Ridgway, make-up artist Neussa Neves, AC Rob Hawkins, horse handler Lucy Butcher, runner Modest Mulenga, James Elkin on compositing, and Sharon Chung on the final grade!
What has been the most memorable experience or achievement in your music career so far?
Composing soundtracks for film and TV has been an unexpected but defining part of my career- it’s also how I fund my solo work. I’ve scored for BBC, BFI, Film4 and Sky Arts, all of which has helped stretch me as a writer. A definite highlight was composing for the BAFTA-nominated, BIFA-winning documentary Poly Styrene: I AM A CLICHÉ. From an artist perspective, writing in a much more structured world with deadlines and briefs takes adjusting to. You have to leave your ego at the door, but it gives you the opportunity to explore different styles and techniques. All of it has informed what I do with ELDR- as well as the cinematic approach to the visuals. (www.marinaelderton.com).
Another milestone was signing my publishing deal with BDi Music- Sarah Liversedge and the whole team are incredible champions of independent artists, and their support has been invaluable.
Can you share a project that holds particular significance to you? What made it memorable, and what challenges did you overcome?
My partner and I recently completed our first feature film through our company EMC Productions — it’s a sports drama called TRAMP about a female MMA fighter who falls pregnant. It was especially significant as I was pregnant with my second child during production, and we even included footage of the birth in the film! My single ‘Deer Skin’ also makes a cheeky appearance on the soundtrack. It feels like a true merging of my creative and personal worlds.
