With music that has been compared to a Tarantino movie, 16-year-old Billie Eilish is a young artist that doesn’t just write songs but tells a mysterious story with every lyric. Growing up performing in the Los Angeles Children’s Choir, Eilish’s creative career began at an early age that gives her the steady platform she stands on now.
Ellish first became well known on the Internet at age 13 after posting a song, “Ocean Eyes”, she and her brother wrote and produced for a dance class assignment. Using the music sharing site known as SoundCloud, Ellish sent the link to her teacher and woke up the next morning to dozens of notifications praising the song. “Ocean Eyes” compares falling in love to falling off a ledge under “napalm skies”. That being said, Eilish has gained a following through her distinctive sound and cryptic messages that hold a variety of meanings to listeners.
Two years later, “Ocean Eyes” has over 100 million plays on Spotify and is featured on Eilish’s debut EP don’t smile at me. Now with collaborations with artists such as Khalid and a song on the popular television show 13 Reasons Why soundtrack, it is hard to come by a teenager who doesn’t know the name “Billie Eilish”. As a symbol of pop culture, Eilish expresses her eclectic style through music, fashion, and social media presence.
While on tour, Eillish teamed up with 101X to perform an intimate set at an art exhibit, The Fomo Factory, located in downtown Austin. The event at The Fomo Factory consisted of a Q&A session and live lounge performance by Eilish and her brother, Finneas.
The creative set up made this performance all the more memorable. Located in an outdoors nook of the exhibit, pink roses hung from the ceiling and scattered across the floor of a makeshift stage. Eilish sat on a swing as she sang, swaying back and forth while whispering the lyrics “You should see me in a crown”, a single released earlier this year.
Eilish’s set at The Fomo Factory seemed to be a symbolism of the singer herself. The rose petals scattered across the stage resembled the sound of Eilish’s soft, delicate vocals. However, Eilish’s bright blue hair and colorful sweatsuit reminded viewers of the creativity and self-assurance that she portrays in her songs, as well as her everyday style.
Although she has yet to release an album, Eilish has the following that artists twice her age dream of having. Eilish’s raw talent, connection with fans, and an unapologetic sense of self have proven to be major aspects of why she is such an icon for fans of all ages.
Photo Credit: 101X Staff // Kamryn K.
