Following months of anticipation, Atlas—the latest album by singer-songwriter DiElle—has finally arrived, marking a bold and deeply personal chapter in her musical journey. Known for her emotionally resonant songwriting and genre-blending sound, DiElle takes listeners on a heartfelt voyage through themes of travel, transformation, and homecoming. In this candid conversation, she opens up about the inspiration behind Atlas, the emotions woven into its songs, and the creative process that brought it all to life in record time. With honesty, vulnerability, and a clear passion for connection, DiElle shares what makes Atlas a true reflection of her artistic and personal growth.
Atlas, has been highly anticipated by your fans. What does this album mean to you personally, and how does it differ from your previous work?
I was just really excited about Atlas from the moment I had the idea. It was so authentically me, such an organic train of thought and I’m so happy to have been able to execute it in a relatively short time. Having worked on it only since March 2024 I think it’s the shortest amount of time from concept to relisation!
You’ve mentioned that travel played a significant role in inspiring this album. How did your journeys influence the themes of, Atlas?
The whole album is a journey, so I’m hoping that everyone who loves to travel and explore will find their own anthem somewhere. There are songs for setting out, songs for drifting from your path and songs for coming home. My love of wandering gave me all the ideas I needed to make it make sense I think.
The album explores deep emotional landscapes. What emotions were most prominent for you while writing and recording these songs?
Thank you. I think each song is a chapter in the story. A big journey for any of us will feel a range of emotions going on an adventure and I hope I’ve captured that. Wanderlust and Magic Carpet were my stories of yearning to travel and the excitement of setting out. Saffron Skies is about the bittersweet nature of having amazing experiences that you want to last forever and you know they can’t. On My Way Home is my song about the joy of coming back and celebrating with the people waiting for you. Each of these emotions will rise at different points for me.
Atlas, has a very intimate and personal feel to it. Was it challenging to be so open and vulnerable in your songwriting?
Some songs really were very personal and I knew that having a cowriter would help me keep that in perspective. True North is about losing my Nan who I was very close too, and I knew that I wanted to leave room for my listeners to bring their emotions if they wanted to, so working with Rosie Bell was invaluable in striking that balance. I’m really glad that people feel that it’s personal and intimate. I want to connect with people who are feeling the same things.
You’ve worked with producer Chris Wood on this album. How did his influence shape the final sound of, Atlas?
Chris is a fantastic producer and master bass player. Chris played all the percussion and bass on the album which some songs really needed, but we work really well together and treated it like a film score, so we carefully selected each sound – one synth for example – and stuck to that palette for all the songs.
You blend indie pop, folk, country, and adult contemporary sounds on this album. How do you decide which genre elements to incorporate into your music?
I’m really not great at genres and in my experience, different people will hear different things anyway. I call it acoustic singersongwriter but I know those other influences are there from what I listen to. I indulge in things that inspire me and that bubbles away under the surface I think. Then what comes out comes out for each song. I’m not consciously trying to blend genres but I’m happy to be told that’s what I’ve done. Haha.
Can you tell us more about the songwriting process for, Atlas? Did the songs come to you all at once, or was it more of a gradual development?
I did have the idea for the whole album all at once. It was on a train journey to Edinburgh and I’d been on a co-write the day before. I was feeling really creative and just love a long train ride! I’ve always loved to travel and had the idea that the album could be a journey from setting out to getting home again, a new person. Because the overall idea was clear, each little chapter broke down really nicely, and I knew which bits were missing as I worked through it. It was very satisfying and I had a bizzare faith that it would just all work out!
Is there a particular track on, Atlas, that feels the most special to you? Why does it stand out?
I lost my Nan a couple of years ago and True North was her song. We were very close and I was lucky to spend a lot of time with her in her later years. She was 100 when she passed and a well of wisdom. She was so incredibly strong and always so proud of me.I miss her immensely and I wanted to make sure we get the song right. Rosie Bell worked on it with me, and I’m very proud of the song. I think it does justice to an incredible female figure in my life.
The album’s title, Atlas, suggests a journey. How do you see this album reflecting the idea of both physical and emotional exploration?
Without wishing to be too morbid, the whole thing felt like a metaphor for life really. If Wanderlust is the birth or the beginning, Lessons Along The Way could be looking back at the end. It’s there if you want it to mean that, but it wasn’t my intention. I travelled a lot with a broken heart so I think Atlas the single was more clearly both – I was practically and emotionally on a journey, the fulfillment of travelling was healing. True North also was both – I drifted and wandered and whenever I felt lost my Nan would ground me, but I always wrote to her when I was travelling and looked forward to telling her about what I’d been up to when I got back. It was not intended to be an allegory for life, but the deeper meaning is there for those who want it. All the songs can be enjoyed at face value too I hope.
You’ve cited legendary artists like Joni Mitchell and Carole King as influences. How have these musicians shaped your approach to songwriting and performance?
I am under no illusion that I am in that league at all but to have that craftsmanship to aspire to is inspiring. Carole’s song craft is majestic and Joni’s bravery with her vulnerability, observation and poetry is second to none. There’s a huge amount to be learned just by listening to these artists – they both captured my imagination in my formative years anyway, and I felt like I knew them because of their songs. I wanted to connect with people like that.
Your music often balances vulnerability with empowerment. How do you navigate the delicate balance between these two emotions in your music?
I wonder if you can have one without the other? Moments of strength come from being faced by something that threatens you in some way I guess. I feel like they’re two sides of the same coin.
Atlas, has a raw and emotional quality, but there’s also an underlying sense of hope. How do you approach infusing your music with both light and darkness?
There have been times in my life when I’ve struggled to find the light and some of my past work probably reflects that. I think now I’m always looking for the light and appreciate it more because of the times I felt hopeless.
You’ve had a devoted fanbase for years, and your live shows are known for their emotional connection. What can fans expect from your upcoming tour, and how will the live experience differ from listening to the album?
The live show is just me, so I encourage the audience to sing and clap and stamp to recreate some of the mood of the album. I love meeting new listeners and my lovely audience who’ve been with me for years. We’re all in it together with my live show, and I like everyone to relax and have a good time. I wanted the album to be simple arrangements but polished so it’s a full listening experience for those listeners of mine who might never see me live.
This album feels like a reflection on your personal growth. How has the process of creating, Atlas, influenced your own journey as an artist and as a person?
I’m so proud of it, I can honestly say I think it’s some of my best work. I want to keep working on my craft and Atlas brings together a lot of things that have been incubating for many years I think. The opportunity to work with people who inspired me as a kid and make me better is a gift. For many years I struggled to collaborate, but this album has several successful collabs on it. It feels completely organic, authentic and an honest reflection of where I am in my life. I’ve learned a lot, still more to learn!
Looking ahead, what’s next for you after, Atlas? Will you explore new musical directions, or do you see this album as a stepping stone to something else in your career?
I’m looking forward to taking Atlas out on the road, and who knows where that will take me. I’d love to do some support slots and looking forward to some festivals this year. It feels like a summery album for sure. I’m developing a couple of live projects too – DiElle Unplugged, which will be a house concert style live music night in the studio where I recorded the album, very small audiences, completely unplugged. I’m also working with my friend and fellow artist Eve Williams on a project called Ladies Of Song where we celebrate female songwriters. This was Eve’s brainchild, and we have various guests and each play a cover of a song penned by a female songwriter, and original song of our own. We’ve done this online and plan to develop this live, both in Hampshire, where I live and in Northern Ireland where Eve is from. I love the grassroots music scene and music has always been about bringing people together for me. I’d also love to get out to the States – I’ve had very supportive fans out there for years and never managed to get over there for them. I’d love to do a double header indie tour with my friend and cowriter Chelsey Coy. I’m looking forward to spending some more time with my listeners and singing songs from Atlas together!
