Elle Shimada

There are artists you label as experimental, and then there's Elle Shimada - 嶋田会希, whose sound and live show is unlike any other.

Tokyo-raised and Melbourne-based violinist, producer, and vocalist has rapidly gained acclaim for her emotive and genre-defying music. Masterfully blending catchy yet thought-provoking vocals with edgy production and layered string arrangements, Shimada creates emotive, cinematic, and other-worldly atmospheres that captivate listeners worldwide. As a driving force in Melbourne’s world-renowned independent music scene, her work has made a mark on the Australian arts landscape to become “one of the most exciting and innovative multidisciplinary artists in Australia” (VICE Magazine). Elle has been described as “monstrously creative” (Beat Magazine), a “fearless music maverick” (Fizzy Mag), “ground- breaking” (Tori Dinardo, former programmer, NGV),and as “redefining culture as we know it” (Vogue Magazine).

A genre-defying pioneer, Shimada instantly draws the audience in the zone with electrifying live performances that seamlessly integrate powerful choreography and music. With immense creativity, she effortlessly transitions between dance music of high production value and fearless vulnerability. Shimada is an artist to watch, continuously pushing the boundaries of music and performance.

Daughter Water is a collection of cinematic and emotive jazz compositions dedicated to the sisterhood. It is also the first body of work where my violin truly sings aloud and free.

I have always felt the most free with my violin. She knows my joy, tenderness, growing pains and the emotions words cannot express.

Much like my sisters do.

Each song on this EP is named after the women who became my family: Ren, Kim, Aakanksha, Fazah, Reem and I.

The limitless wonder I felt holding baby Ren. Kim’s unconditional and generous love. Aakanksha’s courageous determination. Reem’s quiet, ocean deep thoughtfulness. Fazah’s loud and infectious joy. And a freedom and joy that I am learning to cherish more in myself.

I wrote many of these violin melodies by the shore, oceans away from home. Whenever I feel alone, I go to the water - you’ll hear the waves throughout the EP.

RELEASES: LULLABY FOR THE RIVER IN MY BODY (second album, 2026) HOME ≠LOCATION (debut album 2022), FREEDOM (music video Feb 15 2024), ABOUT BLANK___ (2023), MONONOKE (2024), RESOLUTE (2024), HALF TRUTH (2024)

AWARDS: “Best Creative Asian Artist 2025” Golden Indie Music Award, 21 Australia’s best album - Guardian, Triple J Unearthed Top 50, Best Live Music Act AU (nominee), Creative Australia Grant

PRESS: Vogue (AU), VICE (print/online), Rolling Stones (AU), Notion, Culted, DJ mag, Mixmag Asia, Resident Adviser

FESTIVALS: SXSW Austin/Sydney, WOMADelaide, VIVID, RISING, Sun Cycle, We Out Here (UK), Magnetic Fields (India) + SUPPORT: Madlib, Obongjayar, Liv.e, Soichi Terada, Kamaal Williams, Alfa Mist +

RADIOS: 814l view on Let Him Cook radio set, Triple J unearth Highlight artist, BBC Music, Radio 6, LOT NY, NTS, Balamii, Worldwide FM, Hor, Seoul Community Radio, Bangkok Radio

TOURS: Songwriting tour 2024 (LA, NY, Seoul),15-date Asia tour 2023 (Indonesia, India, Malaysia, Thailand, Philippines, Singapore), Australia tour (2022), Europe Tour 2021, Japan tour 2029