Q&A: Explore Elthia’s Dark Fantasies With “medusa,” a Spellbinding Journey
PREPARE TO BE MESMERIZED — by Elthia's latest creation, "medusa," a spine-tingling single accompanied by her newly released music video. The track draws you into a world in which campers fall into the hands of a seductive, stone-hearted monster.
Known for her ethereal, dreamy style, Elthia's music weaves together fantastical elements, creating immersive character pieces and ghostly narratives. Drawing inspiration from iconic projects by Lady Gaga and Michael Jackson, her creativity had no limits as she brought this chilling monster tale to life.
From making elaborate costumes herself — including a 15-foot snake tail and a dress inspired by Iris van Herpen — to collaborating with friends on the video’s direction and choreography, Elthia's dedication to her art is evident in every detail. Following her viral debut single, "i love you but you make me cry," which generated millions of views and listens online, Elthia continues to enthrall her growing fanbase with her imaginative artistry.
Luna sat down with Elthia to discuss the creative process of the “medusa” music video, explore her design choices, and get a better look into her future projects. Read below to learn more about the dark, mythical world of Elthia and discover the artistry that defines her unique sound and vision.
LUNA: What’s your creative process when incorporating fantasy elements into your music?
ELTHIA: I love creating character pieces for my songs. "Medusa" was the first of this style, written about six years ago. I wanted a character who was unabashedly confident, with a humorous and bold element. For the music video, I made several costumes inspired by different snakes, including a sea snake outfit for a water scene. It was my first sewing project, and I also created a 15-foot snake tail with 3D printed scales.
LUNA: That's awesome — I love how much dedication you’ve put into creating the costumes. Your music often blends reality with fantasy. How do you strike a balance between the two?
ELTHIA: I blend reality with fantasy by incorporating my personal feelings into my character creations. For example, “little delights,” another single of mine, is about my relationship with my partner, but with fantastical elements. I create stories for my characters and express these through visual elements in music videos.
LUNA: I love how dedicated you are to aesthetics no matter what project it is. How involved were you in the scripting, direction, and choreography of the "medusa" music video?
ELTHIA: I wrote the story, inspired by Lady Gaga's approach to creating art she would be jealous of. I wanted to be a mythical half-woman, half-snake creature. The video was directed by Ryan Blewett, and the choreography was done by my friend Saundra. The costumes took about a year to create, but it was a labor of love.
LUNA: Were there any challenges in creating the costumes?
ELTHIA: The most challenging part was figuring out how to construct the costumes. The Medusa dress, inspired by Iris van Herpen, took the longest. I sewed 3D printed scales onto the dress, which took a year. The snake tail was also a big project, requiring collaboration with 3D printing artists. It was a lot of trial and error, but I'm proud of the results.
LUNA: Can you share any memorable moments from the "medusa" video shoot?
ELTHIA: The day of filming was incredibly stressful, but very rewarding. My community really came together to help - lots of my friends acted as campers and danced, and it was great to have their support in creating this music video.
LUNA: You mentioned that Lady Gaga inspired you, but I heard that Michael Jackson influenced you as well. How did he do so in this project?
ELTHIA: Michael Jackson was a genius. I wanted "medusa" to be like a child of "Thriller" and MGMT's "Electric Feel." "Thriller" inspired the brass line and vocal stacks, while "Electric Feel" influenced the bassline and outro. Visually, Michael Jackson's music videos as short films were a big inspiration.
LUNA: Your debut single, "i love you but you make me cry," went viral. What lessons have you learned since its release?
ELTHIA: "I love you but you make me cry" taught me to trust my gut and embrace experimentation. It encouraged me to keep evolving and trying new things.
LUNA: How do you handle the pressure of following up a viral hit while staying true to your vision?
ELTHIA: I create art for my 14-year-old self. I focus on making engaging and fun projects. For instance, I did a Wes Anderson-themed music video for "little delights" and a choose-your-own-adventure game for "omen." For "medusa," I made a true crime podcast series. I love being experimental and having fun with my releases.
LUNA: How has your sound evolved since your debut, and what can fans expect from upcoming projects?
ELTHIA: My sound has stayed in the indie pop space but is moving towards a darker, more dance-oriented vibe like "medusa." Fans can expect more of that style in future projects.
