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Kings Elliot

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Kings Elliot
"Born Blue" album cover---Release date: September 26, 2025
"Born Blue" album cover---Release date: September 26, 2025
Background information
Birth nameAnja Gmür
Born (1994-09-05) 5 September 1994 (age 30)
Altendorf, Switzerland
Genres
Instrument
  • Vocals
Labels
Websitewww.kingselliot.com

Anja Gmür (born 5 September 1994), known professionally as Kings Elliot, is a Swiss-English singer-songwriter based in London. She signed a record deal with Universal Music Group 2021 and released three EPs. She won Best Breaking Act at the 2025 Swiss Music Awards. Her debut album Born Blue is set to be released in September 2025.

Early life and education

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Born to an English mother and a Swiss father, Elliot grew up in Wilen bei Wollerau (Freienbach) and Altendorf, Schwyz in Switzerland. She also had a stint living in Pfäffikon.[1] After saving up money, Elliot moved to London in 2015 and took classes on pop songwriting at a music school.[2]

Career

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Elliot auditioned for the 2008 season of MusicStar, but was rejected for being too young. Later in 2013, she made the first round of The Voice of Switzerland in its first season.[3] Upon moving to London, Elliot started playing in pubs while working day jobs, many of which had to do with music (ticket collector at venues, night receptionist at a music studio, etc.).[2] Her debut single "Colour" was released in 2019 under the moniker Kings (stylised as KINGS). She supported Lewis Capaldi on tour.[4]

During the COVID-19 lockdown, during which she began uploading songs to social media, rebranded to Kings Elliot and released the single "I'm Getting Tired of Me".[5] She now prefers to go by Kings Elliot, as she kept her name to herself for a period of time to give her the courage to express herself through her music.[2]

In 2021, Elliot signed a record deal with Universal Music Group (Decca, Vertigo and Verve/Verve Forecast),[6] through which she released her debut 5-track EP Chaos in My Court that December.[7] Radio SRF 3 named Kings Elliot Best New Talent. Her song "Dancing Alone" went gained prominence when it was shared by actress Reese Witherspoon. Elliot was nominated for Best Talent at the 2022 Swiss Music Awards[8] and performed at the event alongside George Ezra.[9]

Elliot had gigs at the 2022 Montreux Jazz Festival and Gurtenfestival and on the programme Inas Nacht. After opening their Bern concert, Imagine Dragons invited Elliot to support the North America part of their Mercury World Tour with Macklemore starting late summer.[10][11] Elliot's second 5-track EP Bored of the Circus was released in September 2022.[12][13] She also contributed to the soundtrack of the video game The Callisto Protocol with the song "Lost Again".[14]

The following year, in 2023, Elliot supported Stephen Sanchez on his North America tour[15][16] and Lana Del Rey at BST Hyde Park. Elliot released her third 6-track EP I'm Not Always Sad, Sometimes I'm Angry in 2024.[17][18] Elliot returned to the 2025 Swiss Music Awards, winning Best Breaking Act.[19]

Announced in March 2025, Elliot's debut album titled Born Blue is set to be released in September 2025, followed by headline UK and Europe tour dates.[20] The album was preceded by the singles "Starcrossed", "Love and Landslides", and "The Promise".[21][22]

Artistry

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Elliot grew up listening to her mother's records, particularly Queen, as well as mid-century Disney animated film soundtracks,[23] finding herself drawn to the "eerie melancholia" of "When You Wish Upon a Star", for example.[24] She also recalls Emilia leaving an impression on her.[25] Lyrically, Elliot makes mental health a central theme in her songwriting and aims to destigmatise the topic, having struggled with her mental health in the past.[26][27]

Personal life

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Elliot has openly talked and sang about her struggles with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD), anxiety, and depression[28].[29] She is a member of the LGBT+ community. She owns four bunnies that she deems as her emotional support, and as can be seen on many of the covers of her singles, the bunnies are largely present. Her fans are largely referred to as "sick puppies", an affectionate name that Kings Elliot has given to herself, and in turn had inspired others to break the stigma of mental health and do the same. [2] [30][31][32]

Discography

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Albums

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  • Born Blue (2025)

EPs

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  • Chaos in my Court (2021)
  • Bored of the Circus (2022)
  • I'm Not Always Sad, Sometimes I'm Angry (2024)

Singles

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  • "Colour" (2019) (as KINGS)
  • "I'm Getting Tired of Me" (2020)
  • "Dancing Alone" (2021)
  • "Bitter Tonic" (2021)
  • "Call Me a Dreamer" (2021)
  • "Lost Again" (2023)
  • "It's My Birthday" (2023)
  • "Never Be Mine" (2023)
  • "Like I Was Never Here" (2024)
  • "Enough" (2024)
  • "I Hate the Sun" (2024)
  • "Starcrossed" (2025)
  • "Love and Landslides" (2025)
  • "The Promise" (2025)

Other

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References

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  1. ^ Arbenz, Anouk (8 February 2021). "«Kings Elliot» mittlerweile international bekannt". Schwyz Kultur (in Swiss German). Retrieved 4 February 2023.
  2. ^ a b c d Alm, Rachel (17 January 2023). "Interview: Kings Elliot finds strength in vulnerability". Riff. Archived from the original on 20 January 2023. Retrieved 4 February 2023.
  3. ^ Rosner, Yasmin (24 March 2015). "Zürcherin lässt für Musik Karriere Job & Freunde hinter sich". Schweizer Illustrierte (in Swiss German). Retrieved 20 January 2019.
  4. ^ Williams, Pip (8 March 2019). "Kings follows Lewis Capaldi support slot with anthemic debut single "Colour"". The Line of Best Fit. Retrieved 28 May 2025.
  5. ^ Kent, Matthew (20 November 2020). "Kings Elliot shares breathtakingly devastating debut single "I'm Getting Tired Of Me"". The Line of Best Fit. Retrieved 4 February 2023.
  6. ^ "Kings Elliot Creates "Chaos in Her Court"". Swiss Music Export. 10 January 2022. Retrieved 4 February 2023.
  7. ^ "Foundations: Kings Elliot". Clash. 6 December 2021. Retrieved 4 February 2023.
  8. ^ "Discover Kings Elliot, your new favourite popstar". Women in Pop. 24 June 2022. Retrieved 4 February 2023.
  9. ^ "George Ezra and Kings Elliot to perform at the Swiss Music Awards". Zug4You. 3 May 2022. Retrieved 4 February 2023.
  10. ^ Major, Michael (31 March 2022). "Kings Elliot to Support Imagine Dragons on 20-City Us Arena Tour". BroadwayWorld. Retrieved 4 February 2023.
  11. ^ Wasylak, Victoria (22 August 2022). "Live Review: Kings Elliot inches closer to her crown at Fenway Park". Vanyaland. Archived from the original on 23 August 2022. Retrieved 4 February 2023.
  12. ^ Major, Michael (16 September 2022). "Kings Elliot Releases Sophomore EP 'Bored of the Circus'". BroadwayWorld. Retrieved 4 February 2023.
  13. ^ "Interview: Kings Elliot releases her second EP 'Bored of the Circus'". Women in Pop. 19 September 2022. Retrieved 4 February 2023.
  14. ^ Krueger, Jonah (17 November 2022). "Kings Elliot Shares Origins for Callisto Protocol Song: Exclusive". Consequence Sound. Retrieved 4 February 2023.
  15. ^ "Kings Elliot Called Me A Dreamer In Chicago". Musaholic. 28 February 2023. Retrieved 12 May 2025.
  16. ^ Broderick, Jay (26 February 2023). "Kings Elliot and Stephen Sanchez "Wow" the Toronto Crowd". Shutter 16. Retrieved 12 May 2025.
  17. ^ "Track By Track: Kings Elliot - 'I'm Not Always Sad, Sometimes I'm Angry'". When the Horn Blows. 5 November 2024. Retrieved 12 May 2025.
  18. ^ "Kings Elliot Unleashes Emotive Power with New EP 'I'm Not Always Sad, Sometimes I'm Angry'". She Bops. 1 November 2024. Retrieved 12 May 2025.
  19. ^ "Rusch-Büeblä, Kings Elliot und Linda Elys holen Award". March 24 (in Swiss German). 28 May 2025. Retrieved 4 June 2025.
  20. ^ Ohryn, Taylor (24 March 2025). "Kings Elliot Announces her Debut Album 'Born Blue' & Headline UK/EU Tour this Autumn". Hashtag. Retrieved 12 May 2025.
  21. ^ "Kings Elliot – Starcrossed". Wonderland. 21 March 2025. Retrieved 12 May 2025.
  22. ^ "Kings Elliot Unveils Heartfelt New Single "Love and Landslides" Ahead of Debut Album Born Blue". House of Solo. 12 May 2025. Retrieved 28 May 2025.
  23. ^ Magnocavallo, Fabio (23 September 2022). "Kings Elliot". Equate. Archived from the original on 24 September 2022. Retrieved 12 May 2025.
  24. ^ Willingham, Jonas (20 September 2022). "Kings Elliot chats summer tours, 'Bored of the Circus', and Disney's melancholia". Melodic. Retrieved 4 February 2023.
  25. ^ Finucane, Rachel (21 May 2025). "Exclusive Interview: Kings Elliot Was Clearly Born Blue". The Honey Pop. Retrieved 28 May 2025.
  26. ^ "Kings Elliot And Her Sad Puppies Club, Four Bunnies And New Sad Girl Anthem". Bowie. 27 September 2022. Retrieved 4 February 2023.
  27. ^ Williams, Keegan (7 April 2022). "Kings Elliot Riding High After Release of Personal Debut EP, 'Chaos In My Court'". Outfront Magazine. Archived from the original on 7 April 2022. Retrieved 4 February 2023.
  28. ^ Lauzon, Nicole (2021-01-15). "Indie Pop Artist Kings Elliot Opens Up About Mental Illness On New Single "Dancing Alone" | Dusty Organ". Retrieved 2025-06-25.
  29. ^ Padin, Malvika (23 September 2022). "Kings Elliot". 1883 Magazine. Retrieved 4 February 2023.
  30. ^ "Music: Kings Elliot returns with new single Dancing Alone". Diva. 15 January 2021. Retrieved 28 May 2025.
  31. ^ Kings Elliot (29 June 2024). "Happy London Pride to all my queer babies and allies 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️ Last year I was singing with u all on the main stage & this year I'm in bed being a sick puppy... but I will be raising a glass regardless 🍷 Pride is a protest, and even though we have come so far as a community thanks to the brave people before us, but there still is a long way to go and I'll be fighting for equality until my last breath. Love always wins. I Love You My Angels!!! Happy Pride!!! 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️". Retrieved 12 May 2025 – via Instagram.
  32. ^ "Kings Elliot". Spotify. Retrieved 2025-06-25.
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