New Wave

COSMO: How did you move from a strong folk and acoustic rock influence to what we hear from La Roux today?
Elly: Me and Ben realised we wanted to do something different with our songs, not for me to be just another singer-songwriter on a guitar. It coincided with me listening to more electronic music and going out raving. We didn't like the demos we had so we started again.

COSMO: La Roux is clearly influenced by Yazoo, David Bowie and all-round 80s pop. How has La Roux progressed from the typical synth-pop heard during the 1980s?
Elly: I think our beats are modern. We're also influenced by people like Clor, the Knife and Sebastian Tellier.

COSMO: If you had a choice, who would you sleep with: Vince Clark, Philip Oakey, Stephen Luscombe or Glenn Gregory?
Elly: Vince, I think!

COSMO: And what has Joni Mitchell taught you about men?
Elly: Joni Mitchell taught me a lot about words and poetry and melody, but not so much about men! It's difficult to tell with her, I think she put them on a bit of a pedestal, but she was exasperated at the same time.

COSMO: Talk us through the hairstyle…
Elly: Loads of mousse, wax and tons of hairspray! I never meant it to go this far… honestly

COSMO: Does your style affect your music or does your music affect your style?
Elly: The two are inextricably linked I think. I wanted to create music with a strong visual identity so I think they both inform each other.

COSMO: Your UK no.1 single, 'Bulletproof' focuses on distrust and letting go. Who is this song about?
Elly: That's for me to know and for you not to find out… Basically though, it's about knowing you're fucked and in love, but being defiant about not getting hurt again.

COSMO: UK media say you're one of the new feminist voices who are redefining the music industry. How do you feel about that kind of responsibility towards young women being placed on your shoulders?
Elly: I never set out to be a role model, but if there are girls who look up to me for not being blonde and covered in tango then that's great. There have been far too many negative role models for far too long. To be honest, I think I'm more responsible than a lot of women who find themselves in a position to influence people.

COSMO: Does being labelled as "Girl Power without the girly frills and lace" bother you? How do you feel about it?
Elly: Have I been labelled as that? I can't stand the term 'Girl Power' but I don't have a problem with people seeing me as a strong, hardworking and empowered woman. 90s Girl Power was all a bit 'get your tits out and then slap the bloke who letched at you', wasn't it?

COSMO: What's next for La Roux?
Elly: Some sleep please? Some time off? Please? Seriously though, we've got a UK tour coming up which I'm really looking forward to.

Author: Lindi Brownell