Ellie Darby-Prangnell

Student — Essex

01Profile

A Ellie Darby-Prangnell Photo

03Interview

Name, where are you from? 
I’m Ellie Darby-Prangnell from Harlow in Essex.

What do you do? 
I’m a Student at Brighton University studying Fashion Communication, I also created my own zine called Look Deeper.

Describe your style in three words? 
Whatever looks cool.

What’s the best gig you’ve ever been to?
I don’t know if this was necessarily the best gig ever but I saw Liam Gallagher with my dad and my friend last year and I was very unwell the week of the gig and almost ended up in hospital. I have no idea how but somehow like the day before the gig I made pretty much a full recovery and made it to see LG. It was amazing and felt like an actual miracle that I was there. It was electric.

If you could put any three bands in history on a lineup?
That’s a difficult one, I’d have to say defiantly The Beatles but their later stuff like 'Revolver', 'Magical Mystery Tour' and 'Sgt Pepper's'. 'Tomorrow Never Knows' is my all-time favourite. The Mamas & The Papas would also be up there would love to hear 'California Dreaming' live. Really hard to pick just one more but probably Fleetwood Mac.

Which subcultures have influenced you?
I’ve been inspired by many different subcultures over time. My dad has always been really interested in the mod scene, so growing up around the mod look and music has defiantly rubbed off onto me. I also take influence from the punk DIY ethic and gender fluidity of dress. I’m really into northern soul music, I do also get a lot of inspiration from the '90s rave scene although less from the music and more from the visual side of it. I guess they have all influenced and inspired me in different ways/aspects of my life.

If you could spend an hour with anyone from history?
That’s a tough one! David Bowie is an absolute icon to me, in terms of fashion and music but also just the way he was. There was an interview of his I saw where he was talking about what he thinks the impact the internet will have on the world, and he got it spot on. I just think he would be such a cool person have a chat with.

Where is your favourite independent venue?
Presuming Eds in Brighton is such a cool place, it’s a coffee shop that you can get a pint in and they also host gigs there. One of my favourite places in Brighton.

Your greatest unsung hero or heroine in music?
I don’t know if she is particularly unsung but I never really hear people talking about her, Brittany Howard. Her music is incredible both as a solo artist and when she was in Alabama Shakes. My favourite track by her is Tomorrow.

04Playlist Notes

The first track you played on repeat?
'Rehab' by Amy Winehouse, I remember going into HMV when I was like 7 and buying her 'Back to Black' album, it's still one of my all-time favourites now.

A song that defines the teenage you?
I changed a lot through my teen years so it's hard to pick one. Maybe 'Champagne Supernova' by Oasis, I don’t know why but it just reminds me of lots of different moments from my teens and hits me in the feels.

One record you would keep forever?
'Let It Be' by The Beatles.

A song lyric that has inspired you?
“Life is what happens to you while your busy making other plans”

From 'Beautiful Boy' by John Lennon.

A song you wished you had written?
I’m no songwriter but I think 'Iron Sky' by Paolo Nutini is such a powerful song that would be proud to have written.

Best song to turn up loud?
'The Night' by Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons.

A song people wouldn’t expect you to like?
I mean people might expect me to like it because they know I love old school music but there is this song called 'We’re Gonna Change The World' by Matt Monro, my dad played it to me and it is such a bop! Whenever I play it to people, they don’t get it, they are like why do you like this lol? But it's such a happy song it makes me want to get up and go start a revolution.

A song to get you straight on the dance floor?
I love a boogie me so most songs would, maybe 'Dancing Queen' by Abba. Such a classic, always gets your friends, your mum and your nan up for a boogie.

Best song to end an all-nighter?
'New York, New York' by Frank Sinatra, it always gets everyone up and puts people in good spirits.

Any new bands you’re into at the moment?
There are some smaller bands that I’m really into at the moment like The Night Café, Nature TV and Marsicans.

03Interview

Name, where are you from? 
I’m Ellie Darby-Prangnell from Harlow in Essex.

What do you do? 
I’m a Student at Brighton University studying Fashion Communication, I also created my own zine called Look Deeper.

Describe your style in three words? 
Whatever looks cool.

What’s the best gig you’ve ever been to?
I don’t know if this was necessarily the best gig ever but I saw Liam Gallagher with my dad and my friend last year and I was very unwell the week of the gig and almost ended up in hospital. I have no idea how but somehow like the day before the gig I made pretty much a full recovery and made it to see LG. It was amazing and felt like an actual miracle that I was there. It was electric.

If you could put any three bands in history on a lineup?
That’s a difficult one, I’d have to say defiantly The Beatles but their later stuff like 'Revolver', 'Magical Mystery Tour' and 'Sgt Pepper's'. 'Tomorrow Never Knows' is my all-time favourite. The Mamas & The Papas would also be up there would love to hear 'California Dreaming' live. Really hard to pick just one more but probably Fleetwood Mac.

Which subcultures have influenced you?
I’ve been inspired by many different subcultures over time. My dad has always been really interested in the mod scene, so growing up around the mod look and music has defiantly rubbed off onto me. I also take influence from the punk DIY ethic and gender fluidity of dress. I’m really into northern soul music, I do also get a lot of inspiration from the '90s rave scene although less from the music and more from the visual side of it. I guess they have all influenced and inspired me in different ways/aspects of my life.

If you could spend an hour with anyone from history?
That’s a tough one! David Bowie is an absolute icon to me, in terms of fashion and music but also just the way he was. There was an interview of his I saw where he was talking about what he thinks the impact the internet will have on the world, and he got it spot on. I just think he would be such a cool person have a chat with.

Where is your favourite independent venue?
Presuming Eds in Brighton is such a cool place, it’s a coffee shop that you can get a pint in and they also host gigs there. One of my favourite places in Brighton.

Your greatest unsung hero or heroine in music?
I don’t know if she is particularly unsung but I never really hear people talking about her, Brittany Howard. Her music is incredible both as a solo artist and when she was in Alabama Shakes. My favourite track by her is Tomorrow.

04Playlist Notes

The first track you played on repeat?
'Rehab' by Amy Winehouse, I remember going into HMV when I was like 7 and buying her 'Back to Black' album, it's still one of my all-time favourites now.

A song that defines the teenage you?
I changed a lot through my teen years so it's hard to pick one. Maybe 'Champagne Supernova' by Oasis, I don’t know why but it just reminds me of lots of different moments from my teens and hits me in the feels.

One record you would keep forever?
'Let It Be' by The Beatles.

A song lyric that has inspired you?
“Life is what happens to you while your busy making other plans”

From 'Beautiful Boy' by John Lennon.

A song you wished you had written?
I’m no songwriter but I think 'Iron Sky' by Paolo Nutini is such a powerful song that would be proud to have written.

Best song to turn up loud?
'The Night' by Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons.

A song people wouldn’t expect you to like?
I mean people might expect me to like it because they know I love old school music but there is this song called 'We’re Gonna Change The World' by Matt Monro, my dad played it to me and it is such a bop! Whenever I play it to people, they don’t get it, they are like why do you like this lol? But it's such a happy song it makes me want to get up and go start a revolution.

A song to get you straight on the dance floor?
I love a boogie me so most songs would, maybe 'Dancing Queen' by Abba. Such a classic, always gets your friends, your mum and your nan up for a boogie.

Best song to end an all-nighter?
'New York, New York' by Frank Sinatra, it always gets everyone up and puts people in good spirits.

Any new bands you’re into at the moment?
There are some smaller bands that I’m really into at the moment like The Night Café, Nature TV and Marsicans.