Elkka: The UK's Soulful Electronic Architect

Elkka is the electronic music alias of London-based producer, DJ, and label head Emma Kirby. Her sound, a deeply emotive blend of house, breakbeat, and ambient textures, has established her as a vital voice in the UK's contemporary dance scene.

Early career

Emma Kirby began her musical journey not behind the decks but in front of a microphone, with early interests in singing and songwriting. The pivot to production came later, driven by a desire for greater creative control, leading her to adopt the Elkka moniker. Her initial releases in the mid-2010s, including the 2016 EP Every Body Is Welcome on Technicolour, showcased a nascent talent for crafting warm, atmospheric club music.

Breakthrough

Elkka's profile rose significantly through a series of well-received EPs and a relentless touring schedule as a DJ. A major breakthrough came with her 2021 single Burnt Orange, a euphoric and melancholic house track released on the esteemed Ninja Tune imprint. This release, praised for its emotional depth and intricate production, broadened her audience and solidified her reputation as a producer of note within the electronic genre.

Key tracks

Burnt Orange - This 2021 single on Ninja Tune became a defining track, merging uplifting piano house with a wistful vocal sample to widespread acclaim.

I Just Want To Love You - A earlier highlight from her 2020 EP Euphoric Melodies, it exemplifies her skill at weaving soulful, chopped vocals into driving, textured grooves.

Together - This collaborative single with Coco Cole captures the inclusive, joyful spirit of her DJ sets and her label's community-focused philosophy.

Beyond her own productions, Elkka co-founded the label and collective femme culture in 2017, a platform dedicated to promoting women and non-binary artists in dance music. This entrepreneurial spirit runs parallel to her creative output, defining her role in the industry. Her 2022 DJ-Kicks mix compilation for !K7 Records served as a masterful curation of her influences and peers, further demonstrating her refined musical vision.

Artists exploring similar terrain of emotive, sample-savvy UK electronic music include Kelly Lee Owens, who blends techno with ethereal pop sensibility. HAAi shares a command of psychedelic, rhythmic club constructions. The textured, atmospheric work of Bicep also resonates with Elkka's sonic palette. Furthermore, Logic1000 operates in a similar sphere of warm, sample-based house music.

Elkka's music, from her early EPs to her Ninja Tune releases, is featured across a range of electronic and alternative radio stations. Listeners can find her tracks in the rotations of specialist electronic music shows, independent radio stations, and online streams dedicated to cutting-edge club sounds.

The music of Elkka is available to hear on radio stations featured on our website. Explore the stations available on onairium.com to discover or listen to her catalog of soulful electronic productions.