She’s only 17 but Elen Levon certainly isn’t wasting time. In May 2011, she inked a record deal with Ministry of Sound and Imprint label NUFIRM and now just a month later, this superstar-in-the-making is unleashing her debut single ‘Naughty’ on the world. It’s a fact that’s still blowing her mind.
“It’s absolutely crazy!” she says excitedly, “I can’t believe how fast it’s all happening.”
A pumping, jumping electro-pop knock-out featuring Aussie MC Israel Cruz on the bridge, ‘Naughty’ is a sizzling introduction to the talents of this singing/dancing sensation.
“I think lately girls are afraid to express their fun side and their inner bad girl,” she says about the song. “It’s about letting go and not caring what other people think. Everyone has two sides to them…”
As crazy as it sounds for someone so young, the spotlight’s been a long time coming for Elen. The Sydney native started dancing at the age of three and singing at seven. Inspired by idols like Madonna, Michael Jackson and Beyonce, the young Elen took singing lessons almost every day and performing became her life.
“It’s always been a passion and there’s never been anything else I’ve wanted to do.”
Well, except for some acting and modelling too. Yep, this ambitious all-star does that on the side. Forget being a ‘triple threat’, this girl’s a quadruple threat and she’s channelling it all into her music.
“I love acting because I think it’s also important to act on stage,” she confesses. “It’s where I get most of my ideas and creativity from and I think it’s important to be not only a performer but also an entertainer.”
She got her chance to do exactly that earlier this year, laying down guest vocals on a track by future Ministry Of Sound labelmate Israel Cruz called ‘Save My Life’. She blew everyone away.
“She nailed it in one take,” Cruz recalls about their first encounter. “It sounded more amazing than I thought it could.”
Having made records with everyone from Wynter Gordon to Lil Jon to Jessica Mauboy, the artist/producer doesn’t impress easily, but Elen proved an exception.
“She’s actually what I’ve been waiting for to come out of this country,” he adds. “Australia’s always had pop artists, but not one that’ll cross over in US - she fills that void. A lot of female artists don’t really dance, but Elen is amazing at both… and she’s just 16, which is incredible.”
Not long after, she got her baptism of fire on the big stage in April, joining Israel on the Supafest festival around the country, alongside headliners like Snoop Dogg, Taio Cruz and Nelly. In addition to singing ‘Save My Life’, she also got to premiere ‘Naughty’ live.
“It was really great and the crowd was awesome,” she recalls, glowing. “I guess you’re always going to have that adrenaline but I wasn’t too nervous. I love the stage and every time I get on it, I feel like it’s my home.”
Elen’s planning more live shows later this year, but for now, it’s all about getting ‘Naughty’ and taking her first single to the world. At just 17, she knows she’ll be likened to Justin Bieber and Selena Gomez, but she says she’d be stoked to be included in the same breath as the teen stars.
“When you come out, you’re always going to be compared to other artists. So if I get compared to them, that’s cool. I’d like to be in that part of the world.”
“Plus I’m really happy to be starting off at a young age because I think you learn something new every day and I’m still learning. Getting into the industry this early has been great for that.”
And while she’s literally the new kid on the block, this natural-born performer’s already got ambitious plans for the long term.
“I want to be one of those artists that the fans can grow with and everyone can relate to the music,” she says. “I don’t want to appeal to just one age group. It’s not about the fame for me - I want to be around for a while.”
