Meet Eleni Mandell

Today we’d like to introduce you to Eleni Mandell.

Every artist has a unique story. Can you briefly walk us through yours?
I began playing music at 5 1/2 years old, classical violin and piano.  I always loved singing and making up songs and distinctly remember thinking that the violin wasn’t going to work for me.  At 13 years old, one of the tougher girls at school introduced some of us to the seminal LA punk band called ‘X’. They changed my life!  I saw them perform and thought to myself, “That’s what I want to do.” At 15 years old I rented myself a guitar and signed up for lessons. I thought that if I wanted to be in a band, I should learn to play the guitar.  I still had other ambitions, acting, painting, writing…eventually, I met Chuck E. Weiss. He became my mentor and here I am.

Please tell us about your art.
I write songs.  Each song is a snapshot, a portrait, a short story.  I almost always write with guitar in hand, words and music coming simultaneously.  Sometimes, I write while I’m driving down the street and I just sing to myself until I have a chance to stop and record it or write it down.  Words are almost always the starting point or inspiration. I love the sound and meaning of words. I love how words translated into one language and then back into English can inspire me, like ‘fireworks’ in French is “feux artifice,” which translated back into English is ‘artificial fire’.  That was the starting point for my song, “Artificial Fire,” which is also a metaphor for a relationship I had. I love language and melody.

We often hear from artists that being an artist can be lonely. Any advice for those looking to connect with other artists?
I think going out and finding a community of other artists is incredibly important.  For me, it started at open mic nights around town, first when I was in college at UC Berkeley, and then here in Los Angeles.  Little by little, I met others, put a band together…I’ve now played with the same bass player and drummer for 15 years. They are my musical family.  I also have the Living Sisters and the community and family we’ve created together. I love working with different people. I love singing with people.  I love making friends! Put yourself out there, start a band and then start another one!

How or where can people see your work? How can people support your work?
You can find my music in all the usual places, including brick and mortar record stores! Anytime someone pays for music, it helps the artist. Coming to shows and buying music is really the best way to support an artist. The energy shared between myself and an audience is really the best part of making music for me.

Contact Info:

• Website: elenimandell.com
• Email: misceleni@earthlink.net
• Instagram: Eleni Mandell
• Facebook: Eleni Mandell
• Twitter: Eleni Mandell

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