Inspired #0035 - UV
In celebration of the release of her striking ethereal indie single, ‘Wilt’, UV (Marina Elderton) takes us on a journey through her musical and personal inspirations.
Who are you top three musical inspirations?
That's a hard one to pin down! I've been obsessively drawn to different musical figures at different stages in my life, so really it's a never ending journey. I'm a monogamist, constantly listening back to the same album or track at a time. Warpaint's first album 'The Fool' hit me like a whirlwind. They're a supremely talented group of musicians and their songs conjure these rich worlds that you can completely lose yourself in. Their music was a light during dark times for me, and one of the best bands I've encountered live. Aside from that, Nick Cave and Cat Power have also had a big influence, both in their music and honesty as artists/ humans it seems. There's a rawness to Cat Power's earlier work (Moon Pix & You are Free) that never fails to move me, and Nick Cave and Warren Ellis' soundtracks are also some of my favourite pieces out there. But there are so many more I can't even begin to condense here!
Is there a certain film that inspires you?
Hands down, Buffalo 66. Vincent Gallo (director/ actor) is a controversial figure, but this film is a masterpiece in my opinion. The main character is pretty much a psychopath- he kidnaps a woman and forces her to pretend to be his girlfriend to impress his dysfunctional family- but somehow you still feel the greatest tenderness for him. You can see the influence of John Cassevetes in this work, also one of my favourite filmmakers. We live in a time where moral boundaries have become hyper sensitive, so it's interesting to me when people dare to explore the truth of the darker side of human nature. It's a safer space to do this within the parameters of film than in real life I guess. I'd argue that's what art is for in many ways!
What city do you find the most inspiring?
I visited a small town in India called Pushkar last year which was pretty magical. Pushkar is centred around a holy lake, which is almost like a mini Varanasi with people wading into the water to purify themselves and lighting candles. Legend has it that the lake was formed from a lotus petal dropped by the god Brahma- Pushkar means 'blue lotus flower'. My child was also conceived during this trip (I'm 7 months pregnant at the moment), so India has extra significance to me!
Who is the most inspiring person to you?
My mother inspires me everyday. She passed away recently, but she was truly one of the kindest people I was lucky enough to know. She always saw the goodness in others and had a fearless belief in other people's abilities. She made you feel clothed in love when you were around her. A quiet power. She was a talented writer and was working on a novel just before she died, but she didn't manage to finished it sadly. We will publish it in her honour one day I hope.
How would you like to inspire people?
I think we can all inspire each other if we tune into the reality that every human is a great mystery, full of layers. Sometimes this is clouded by modern pressures, and we become a little docile. We start to place emphasis on things that really don't matter- status, appearance, money etc. It's hard for artists nowadays to battle the need to survive with the need to express and create. We have also been bred on legends, but I think our generation need to make peace with the possibility of being a nobody in life! As a woman there are often surface level pressures you are faced with- it's hard to resist the pressure to look a certain way or be the coolest kid on instagram. The figures that inspire me always cut through these things. I would like to present the same message through my work. It's just about pure instinct and not hiding from your truest self. Life is too short!
Interview feature by Karla Harris
‘Wilt’ is taken from UV’s upcoming debut EP, which is due for release July 19th and will coinicide with UV’s debut London performance at Old Parish of St Pancras, London.