“I can open trap to everyone, and do it in Catalan”, says Elan Dubois (Nou Barris, Barcelona, 2009), one of the youngest and most emerging faces of the Catalan music scene. Under the artistic name of ELAN, with only sixteen years old he already has two albums under his arm. His music fuses Catalan trap with influences of jazz, plugg and other styles, creating a proposal rooted in his language, his musical tastes and his classical music training, since he plays the double bass. He claims Nou Barris as origin and creative engine, and produces and records his music in his own studio (in his room).
How would you define yourself?
As a very diverse artist who can do many things at the same time. Apart from the double bass, I also play other instruments and I produce everything myself. I have this breadth of being able to do a bit of everything within a somewhat alternative Catalan trap, looking for my way of being and not that of others.
How did you start?
From a very young age I already had a great interest in music, which I have been able to develop at IEA Oriol Martorell, the only public school in the entire State that leads an artistic pedagogical project where dance and music are integrated with general education. But when I really started making my own songs it was during the pandemic, which caught me in a house in the Pyrenees. I was very bored. I was ten years old.
Who do you admire?
I listen to a lot of music and very varied. It's complicated to find someone I admire above the rest. I have many different influences, but I would highlight Biberon or Rosalía herself. I am totally eclectic. In the personal sphere, I deeply admire my mother, who, by the way, is a poetess.
Where have you performed?
In Nou Barris, which is my home and I claim it. The first concert was at Casal de Joves Guineueta. I always try to do things in my neighborhood. I have also performed at Espai Jove Les Basses and at Festival Boca, at Paral·lel 62, where in addition to going on stage I was part of the youth council that prepared it, an experience which I enjoyed very much and which taught me many things.
What is the stage of your dreams?
On the stages where I have played classical music all my life (Mozart, Vivaldi…) there is always a very big separation between the musician and the audience, and that made me very nervous. With my project, however, I feel a real connection with people, with low and close stages. I could say the Camp Nou, but it wouldn't be true to myself. A place like Razzmatazz would be a great honor. I would like to open trap to new audiences. For those who don't know it much yet, it has many possibilities: it can expand, break structures and become more melodic. In my case, classical training allows me to make it cleaner and more polished than that of other more urban artists.
