London-based indie folk band 'Daughter' (2)

Since last 2 weeks, I mentioned to a band "Daughter", the London-based indie-folk trio of Elena Tonra (vocals, guitar), Igor Haefeli (guitar) and Remi Aguilella (drums). So, I would like to continue talking about them and definitely want you guys to know more about this prodigious band.

If you're longing for the age of innocence, you can probably relate to Elena Tonra. Along with her London-based Daughter bandmates Igor Haefeli and Remi Aguilella, Tonra creates heartstring-plucking songs with dramatic lyrics and melodies. On the surface, Tonra’s voice is delicate, beautiful, and pure. But listen closely and you’ll find lyrics that broach dark subjects like death, darkness, heartbreak, and infidelity: “Hate is spitting out of each other’s mouths,” she sings, “but we’re still sleeping like we’re lovers.”

Initially, Tonra was doing a solo project but she didn't enjoy being a solo artist or anything like that. She was feeling limited in her own abilities. She met Igor in the course which meant that Daughter would be more than just a voice, and care would be taken with texture and melody. "I got a bit bored of just me and my guitar," as Tonra said. They started jamming, and they found that they worked really well together. They had a similar idea, musically, of where we wanted things to go. They knew Remy from the course as well. It was a natural way to meet people: college. After the first EP, they were a three-piece. Then they made The Wild Youth and then they've made an album.

If you thought that the band was all about cosy folk, Daughter are about to change your minds. If this is folk, it's the fucked-up and fucked-around-with variety. Not too much, though – it's not the avant-garde side of experimental, just a little moody and electronics, brooding and ambient.

Tonra, who writes the lyrics, started writing when she moved to a new school. She felt like she didn't fit in and quite lonely. So, that's where it all started. When she wrote a song, it's not a specific day-to-day account, like a diary entry. All of the songs are definitely a part of her and what she's been thinking; her opinion and her interests. A lot of songs come from how she feels about things. And of course, it's been an influence for her on some writing, whether it was family or a friend. That definitely influences if you start channeling emotions through writing.

By the way, the band's name Daughter came from Tonra. She just thought about this word. She didn't want the band to be under her name but to be known as a collaborative project. She found the word Daughter and she thought it was an interesting looking word. It looks quite strange and looks like it's spelled incorrectly. It might refer to vulnerability, reminisce of childhood, femininity and stuff. But it works for them. (and I like it! XD)

The trio started in 2010 and have since traveled the world, with a couple critically acclaimed and award-winning albums under their collective belt. Their debut album "If You Leave" not only went silver, but also hit the Top 20 in the U.K. In 2016, Not To Disappear also netted them critical acclaim. This year, they released the soundtrack album "Music from Before the Storm" which they made songs and music for the narrative adventure game "Life is Strange: Before the Storm". It seems that the band tread more experimental waters than ever, with electronic layering adding a new sense of urgency to their sound.

You can listen to the songs from the game right now!! See the tracklists of the album below.