Get to know FEM du lit
Photo Credit: Victoria Luna
The experience of being Black and queer is the central theme of STIGMATA, the debut album by Seattle-based artist FEM du lit. It begins with delicate guitar plucking over the sound of the ocean and slowly unraveling vocal harmonies. The solo project of Francesca Eluhu (vocalist of Seattle psych neo-soul band Day Soul Exquisite), FEM du lit acts as composer, songwriter and executive producer on the album. They interweave R&B, alternative and electronic soundscapes; the music created with the sole purpose of healing the emotional damage caused by judgement, homophobia, capitalism and assault.
Read our conversation with FEM du lit below, where we discuss the sound of STIGMATA, musical influences and inserting their values and beliefs into the music.
For anyone who hasn’t listened to STIGMATA, how would you describe it?
For those who haven’t listened to STIGMATA, I would describe it as deep, witchy electro-soul. It’s hard to cage it into one genre–it pulls from R&B/ Soul, Alternative/ Indie music, and so much more to mold it into a new sound I like to call “New Era”. If artists like Stevie Wonder, Sade, Ms.Lauryn Hill, Flying Lotus, Blood Orange, Cesaria Evora, and Fela Kuti all had a child; it would give birth to the New Era. Heavy bass sounds, hushed but melodic vocals, paired with drums rhythms spanning from the originators of Afrobeat, jazz, and house music.
The album is about the stigma behind being Black and queer. I use the latin etymology of the word to pull at the religious context behind homophobia in the African diaspora, and highlight the occult motifs interwoven throughout the 13-song full-length album. There’s a lot of political commentary reflecting on colonialism, sexual assault, environmental assault, and end-stage capitalism. Pretty heavy stuff. It’s deeply personal and I hope listeners can feel that; like honey for a wound or lacerated spirit.
When did you start making music?
Music continues to be one of the greatest loves of my life. My mother told me I was dancing to music in the womb; a lifelong companion. I started writing and producing music with the intent of pursuing it professionally in 2021, after starting my record label La fem records. But I’ve been writing melodies and lyrics since I was a child.
What were your biggest influences while making this record?
I would say some of my biggest influences for this album were Stevie Wonder, the Isley Brothers, Edith Piaf, João Bosco, Nina Simone, The Sweet Enoughs, Blood Orange, Liv.e, Ms. Lauryn Hill, Lady Wray, Moses Sumeny, Lianne La Havas, Salami Rose Joe Louis, Luedji Luna, Mayra Andrade, Mereba, Radiohead, Eduardo Mateo, Acidslop, Aaliyah, Y La Bamba, April + VISTA, and so much more.
STIGMATA blends a variety of genres together, creating a cohesive and unique style. How did you find your artistic voice?
I’ve been curating my music taste for longer than I’ve been a musician. For a long time, I was striving for a sound that I didn’t yet have the skillset to create. It took time leaning into my strengths and ironing out my weaknesses as a musician to familiarize myself with my voice. Playing in my band, Day Soul Exquisite, has been a huge part of my artistic development. You can improve a lot in the company of friends and loved ones. After that, I figured out what were the pillars of beliefs and values that I wanted to communicate through the music. I studied poets like Sonia Sanchez, Audre Lorde, Maya Angelou; I read political essays from Baldwin, Frantz Fanon, Toni Morrison; and I closely listened to musicians who influenced movements–Nina Simone, Bob Marley, Fela Kuti. And I let the emotion behind my personal truths pour out and shape the music. Stylistic things came later after I became more comfortable with my sound. And I had friends help me paint a whole apocalyptic universe for the album.
As an independent artist who wears many hats–writer, producer, musician, etc.)--what do you find most rewarding?
I find the recording process to be the most fun. I love being in the studio. Creating music from just a mere whisper in your head, and then seeing it materialize in real life is so thrilling. The most rewarding thing is seeing someone else mouth the words, hum the melody, or having someone share how the album has impacted them. Some of my favorite music carried me through really dark times in my life, so being able to provide that for others is an absolute gift. To know your music truly resonates with someone, perhaps in different ways than you initially set out to do, is really fulfilling.
What do you hope to accomplish with your music?
I hope to enact real change, and make music that reflects the times through storytelling and oral history. I want to give voice to movements and heal people with music. I want to communicate revolutionary messaging to nourish people in the end times. I want to practice arcane magic.
Hannah Frey's second full-length album Lucky Girl is a heartfelt tribute to her life-changing move to Chicago in 2021. She found a thriving, supportive indie music community there that influenced her artistry. Recorded live with her band, the album captures the joy of collaboration and the magic of a city that promotes creativity. Frey draws inspiration from strong female songwriters, blending introspective lyrics with a communal spirit. Learn more about Hannah Frey as we discuss recording highlights, vulnerability in songwriting, the records that shaped her musical taste and more.