As 2025 closes, Elli arrives to Phonica’s Friends & Family mix off the back of a breakout year, one that saw her music embraced across Europe’s cosmic-disco and downtempo scenes and her live show land on iconic stages like Jæger. In conversation, she describes her world as part cinematic dreamspace, part crate-digger curiosity — a fusion that shines through this seasonal selection. Moving between ambient glow, cosmic synth voyages and warm, groove-led passages, the mix reflects the same tenderness, detail and wanderlust that shape her own productions, including the new projects and secret soundtrack she’s quietly crafting for 2026. It’s Elli at her most intimate: warm, reflective and open-hearted.
Hey Elli, thanks for joining us! Can you tell us about your mix and what the idea behind it was?
Hey Phonica, thank you so much for the invitation! Since it’s the December mix and Christmas is around the corner, I wanted to create something warm and cosy, the kind of soundtrack you’d have on while spending time with friends and family at home. The first half is more downtempo, and cinematic, and then it gradually rises into a more cosmic uplifting groove. It’s a blend of classics, recent discoveries, and I’m really excited to include my new remix for Lindstrøm!
What are your preferred methods for finding new music—do you still enjoy digging around in dusty crates, or do you prefer to buy online?
Absolutely, I’m still a dusty-fingers girlie, haha. I love digging through crates whenever I can. But I also spend a lot of time searching on Discogs and buying online. There are so many talented producers on bandcamp!
What are five records you couldn’t live without?
I don’t really have favourites…5? How about 50? so tough to choose!
Planetary Unfolding – Michael Stearns
Anything by João Gilberto and Madonna
Sade – Love Deluxe
Vangelis – Blade Runner
Gate of Dreams – Claus Ogerman
Eric Serra – Le Grand Bleu ( I always listen to it when I fly)
What has been one of your most memorable sets over your career?
This year has definitely been a highlight for me. My live set at Jæger club in Oslo, Norway, was a dream! I was very nervous to perform on that stage because Jaeger is the epicentre of Nordic disco, which has been such a big influence on my music, but the energy in the room was incredible, the crowd was so supportive, and they kept dancing. I will always cherish the memory of my Jæger debut! Also, my in-store at Phonica for my debut album release on Prins Thomas’s label Horisontal Mambo felt incredibly intimate. Both moments felt like big milestones.
What do you have up your sleeve for 2026?
Ohh so much! I’m working on a new project that’s more cinematic and soundscape, and at the same time I’m composing a special secret soundtrack. I also have some exciting new collaborations in the works, and most importantly I’m putting together my new Live show. I can’t wait to take it on the road and share it with everyone in 2026!!!!
Thanks Elli 🙂
Intro – Marcel Tourier – Images, 1ère Suite, Op.29: Clar de lune (Elli’s Edit)
Elli – In My Field Of Experience
Ashra – Deep Distance
Klaus Schulze, Pete Namlook – Psychedelic Brunch
Éric Serra – Soyooz Night
Enigma – Third of Its Kind
Giorgio Moroder – Irena’s Theme
Jerry Goldsmith – Love theme from Chinatown
Niko Tzoukmanis – Blue Valentine
Lindstrøm– Sharing an Orange (With Omar S On The Train From Minehead To London) (Elli Remix Unreleased)
Total Blue – Corsair
Elli – Just For Me & You
Gabe Gurnsey – Ultra Clear Sound
Courtney Bailey – New Journey
Supersempfft – Be A Man You Frog (Unreleased filter Version)
Bjørn Torske – Trøbbel på taket
Dionigi – Dome
Sidirum – Total Interior
Magnus International – Goober (Marius Circus Remix)
Prins Thomas – Heartbreak
Chris Rea – Josephine
