Ella Langley | This Past Weekend w/ Theo Von #651
Quick Read
Summary
Takeaways
- ❖Ella Langley's new album, 'Dandelion,' symbolizes growth and detox, intentionally following her previous record, 'Hung Over.'
- ❖She co-produces her records, co-directs music videos, and designs her stage sets, maintaining full creative control.
- ❖Langley fought her label to keep a 'talking part' in her hit song 'You Look Like You Love Me,' which they initially believed would be the worst-performing track.
- ❖The mental game of the music industry is the hardest part, requiring intentional time away and self-care to avoid burnout.
- ❖Langley's family recognized her singing talent early; she learned to read from singing hymns in church.
- ❖She is direct support for Morgan Wallen's tour, playing at Bryant-Denny Stadium, the first concert there in 33 years.
- ❖Langley prioritizes creating songs with 'big singing choruses' for audience engagement, recognizing listeners' desire to participate quickly.
Insights
1Artistic Authenticity Requires Fierce Advocacy
Langley's label initially believed her song 'You Look Like You Love Me' would be the worst-performing track on her record, specifically wanting her to sing a 'talking part' instead of speaking it. She fought hard to keep her original artistic vision, demonstrating the necessity of an artist's conviction against industry pressure. This song later became a hit.
Langley states her label wanted her to sing the talking verses in 'You Look Like You Love Me' and predicted it would be the worst song, but she 'just fought them really hard on it.'
2The 'Dandelion' Album Concept: A Journey of Growth and Detox
The title of Langley's new album, 'Dandelion,' is a deliberate conceptual choice. She discovered that dandelion tea is a liver detox, which perfectly aligned with her previous album, 'Hung Over.' This sequence symbolizes her personal and artistic growth, moving from a state of 'debauchery' to resilience, much like dandelions, which are often considered weeds but are resilient and spread by the wind.
Langley explains finding out dandelion tea is a liver detox, connecting it to her previous album 'Hung Over,' and how dandelions are 'resilient' and 'spread on the wind,' reflecting her personal growth.
3Mental Health and Burnout are Major Industry Challenges
Langley openly discusses the significant mental toll of a demanding music career, highlighting the need for 'recluse time' and 'recharge.' She contrasts her need for rest with other artists like Laney, who seem to 'go and go and go,' acknowledging that everyone eventually faces burnout. This emphasizes that even successful artists must prioritize mental well-being and set boundaries.
Langley states, 'The mental game for me is definitely the hardest part of this job.' She mentions needing 'recluse time' and getting 'IVs' and 'petting animals for peace' to recharge, unlike artists who 'just goes and goes and goes.'
4Maintaining Creative Control in a Collaborative Industry
Despite working with a large team and a label, Langley insists on having her hand in every aspect of her art, from co-producing her record and co-directing music videos to designing her stage sets. She values a collaborative experience but asserts her final say, rejecting the 'this is how it's usually done' mentality to ensure her output truly represents her.
Langley states, 'Every bit of what I do, I have my hand in it. I'm co-producing the record... writing stuff for the music video, co-directing that... making the set list for the show.' She also expresses disdain for the phrase 'this is how it's usually done.'
Bottom Line
The music industry's rapid ascent can lead to a 'boom moment' where artists feel compelled to accept every opportunity, even at the cost of their well-being, due to fear of losing momentum.
This pressure can lead to severe burnout, impacting long-term career sustainability and artistic quality if not managed proactively with strategic scheduling and boundary setting.
Develop specialized management services for rapidly growing artists that prioritize sustainable scheduling, mental health support, and strategic 'no's' to protect the artist's longevity and creative output.
Lessons
- Prioritize mental recharge time: Schedule 'recluse time' and breaks to prevent burnout, even during peak career periods, as sustained creativity requires mental and emotional reserves.
- Champion your artistic vision: Be prepared to advocate fiercely for your creative choices, even against industry 'experts,' as your unique perspective can be your greatest asset.
- Foster a collaborative but controlled team: Build a team that supports your vision and allows for collaboration, but maintain ultimate creative control over all aspects of your artistry.
Notable Moments
Langley recounts being 'saved twice' at a 'Judgment House' during Halloween, a Christian haunted house designed to scare people into salvation. The experience was so impactful that she sought salvation again, much to her father's amusement.
This anecdote highlights the intense, often emotionally manipulative, tactics used in some religious settings and Langley's impressionable nature as a child, revealing a unique aspect of her Southern upbringing.
Langley describes the awkwardness of fans asking for selfies during personal moments, like mid-meal or even in the bathroom, and the challenge of maintaining composure while feeling 'weird' about the sudden attention.
This illustrates the loss of privacy and constant public scrutiny that comes with fame, offering a relatable glimpse into the less glamorous side of celebrity and the mental adjustments required.
Langley shares a story about performing 'What I Want' with Morgan Wallen, where she was so nervous she consistently messed up the lyrics. During their last performance, Wallen also messed up the words, which Langley found hilarious and liberating, as it meant he could no longer tease her about it.
This moment humanizes both artists, showing that even seasoned performers experience nerves and make mistakes, and highlights the camaraderie and humor that can develop between touring partners.
Langley reveals she impulsively cut her own bangs 20 minutes before a show because she liked how her hair framed her face after taking off her cowboy hat. The result was 'so bad' that she had to 'full send it' for her upcoming record cover art, leading to her signature look.
This demonstrates her spontaneous and fearless nature, and how a seemingly small, accidental decision can lead to a defining personal and artistic aesthetic.
Quotes
"If you don't do it, you're going to hate your life for your whole entire life."
"I'm just not afraid to take a chance on something, whatever it wants, I want. If I want to do it, then I just know like I'm going to do it."
"I'm definitely my toughest critic... Very rarely do I walk off stage and I'm like I was amazing out there."
"You know yourself the best and your artistry and like at the end of the day, I'm the one that's going to have to do that interview. I'm the one that's going to have to sing that song every night."
"I hate that phrase. I hate well this is what you would usually do. I was like well I don't give a rat's ass what you would usually do. I do not want to do it like that."
Q&A
Recent Questions
Related Episodes
The Joe Budden Podcast Episode 918 | The Friendship Show
"The JBP crew navigates a 'friendship show' theme while dissecting Offset's shooting and alleged gambling debts, Kanye West's controversial performances and apologies, and Brandy's candid revelations about her creative split with Rodney Jerkins."
Trevor Wallace | This Past Weekend w/ Theo Von #633
"Comedians Trevor Wallace and Theo Von discuss the unique challenges of being a content creator, the mental toll of touring, and societal shifts, from Mr. Beast poaching talent to hypothetical military OnlyFans accounts."
Black Infertility Struggles. Vaping Risks. Aging Myths. What Doctors Want You to Know #SecondOpinion
"This episode unpacks the disproportionate impact of infertility on Black women, the hidden dangers of vaping for teens, and strategies to embrace aging gracefully by challenging societal myths."
Justin Timberlake Didn’t Want This Out
"A former diehard Justin Timberlake fan dissects his recent DUI bodycam footage, arguing that his celebrity privilege and refusal to 'eat it' made a minor incident appear worse."