Coming from Gympie, Queensland, exciting emerging indie folk artist Elke Louie is stepping boldly into the spotlight with the release of her debut single Killing Time on November 7—and it’s the thrilling first taste of her upcoming EP arriving in early 2026! Blending raw emotion with delicate storytelling, Elke brings an intimate acoustic warmth to her music, creating songs that feel both deeply personal and instantly relatable. Killing Time dives beautifully into themes of stillness, loneliness, and the quiet ache of waiting, all shaped by her genuine experiences growing up in a small town where days often felt like they were simply drifting by.
The single was recorded at Mantle Records with Clare and Lawrence of Those Folk, marking an incredible milestone as Elke’s very first time in a professional studio—a transformative moment that pushed her creatively and strengthened her trust in the power of collaboration! Already turning heads through her impressive work with established artists like Jen Mize and Clare Quinn, Elke is rapidly carving out her own unique place in Australia’s thriving indie folk scene.
Today, we’re absolutely thrilled to have Elke sit down with us to share the heart, growth, and inspiring journey behind Killing Time. This is just the beginning for this talented artist, and we can’t wait to see where her music takes her next!
Listen to Killing Time
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What inspired you to write “Killing Time,” and what story or emotion does the song convey?
Killing Time was a collaboration between myself and Clare Quinn of Those folk, we wrote ‘’Killing Time’’ at a songwriting workshop called the Songmuster in my hometown Gympie. The idea of the song was that life in our small-town can feel like you’re just going through the motions of life or Killing time as there was little to do in Gympie growing up. This song ties into the themes of the EP, exploring feelings of loneliness and isolation within the boundaries of a small town.
How does “Killing Time” reflect your growth as an indie folk artist?
This song made me push my collaborative boundaries and made me learn how to share the intimate experience of songwriting with someone else. Learning from Those folk, established folk artists, they widened my scope of the intricacies of folk music.
Can you describe the songwriting and recording process for this single? Any memorable moments?
Killing Time was the first song I recorded in a studio, so I went into it with very little idea about what I was doing, my producers Clare Quinn and Lawrence Meynard were so amazing and helped me feel comfortable in the space.
What themes or messages do you want listeners to take away from “Killing Time”?
Definitely the universal struggle of finding meaning in moments of uncertainty, for me, the song captures the quiet ache of waiting, especially in a small town.
How do you blend acoustic warmth with storytelling in your music, especially in “Killing Time”?
In Killing Time I wanted the acoustic sound to feel as honest as the story itself. The warmth of the guitar creates that sense of closeness, like you’re right there with me while I’m telling it. Keeping the production simple let the emotion and storytelling shine through naturally.
How has your experience performing solo and with your band Hugo and the Hive influenced your music?
Playing with my band, Hugo and The Hive, feels like home. It’s where I found my confidence and learned to trust my voice. We’re more than just a band, we’re family. We write together, share ideas openly, and support each other in everything we do. They’re a big part of why I can balance my solo work without feeling overwhelmed.
What can fans expect next from you? Are you planning more singles, an EP, or a full album?
Yes! I’ll be releasing my debut EP early in 2026, with several singles set to come out in the lead-up to the full release, I’m very excited!
How do you see your music evolving in the coming years?
I have always been a bit of a perfectionist when it comes to my songwriting, so I’m hoping that after the first five songs come out that I will have some newfound confidence to be a bit more messy in my songwriting, I hope I can one day push out five songs a week without fear of judgement from myself.
What do you enjoy most about being an emerging artist in Australia’s indie folk scene?
Meeting and being able to write songs with and around other Folk artists, it’s inspiring to be surrounded by people who care so deeply about storytelling and connection through music. Being part of that feels really special.
