Elektra Kilbey
in Apple TV series
Shantaram
Photography Graham Dunn
Creative Director Deborah Ferguson
Interview Tessa Swantek
Some people have a quality about them as if they can slip through decades, even centuries, and never look out of place. Elektra Kilbey is one of those people. Kilbey can imagine herself roaming Roman bath houses, weaving between limestone-toned marble columns and seeing her reflection in glittering pools under stone arches, before slinking through to a futuristic world of sequined cosmos as Say Lou Lou’s “Everything We Touch” echoes through the air. Kilbey seems to hold an appreciation for the ambient, and like a Brian Eno soundtrack, she can modify viewer’s perceptions of a surrounding environment on screen, in her music, and fashion. The music she creates with her twin sister, Miranda Kilbey, under Say Lou Lou, and the music she loves have a cinematic feel- they set a scene and tell a story. So, it is no surprise that Kilbey has gravitated towards acting. In the Apple TV+ series, Shantaram, she finds herself in 1980s Bombay as Lisa Carter, a complex character struggling with addiction, objectification, and her own identity. In our interview with Kilbey, we talk in-depth about her character, freedom, upcoming music, and beauty!
Tank top Gigli at Tab Vintage Pants Helmut Lang at Tab Vintage Dress & boots Stella McCartney Earrings Celine by Phoebe Philo at Tab Vintage
Hi, thank you for the interview! I know that you create music with your twin sister. I’m also a multiple and have always thought that it makes you grow a lot of understanding for other personalities since you are born in such close connection with others. Do you feel this same way, and if so, do you think that quality has helped you in terms of acting?
Hello and thank you for having me! Definitely. Growing up with an identical twin sister, and 6 other siblings, forced me to share, sympathize, negotiate, collaborate and adapt on a daily basis. Plus my parents living on opposite sides of the world added to that as well, having to become somewhat of a chameleon and work on fitting in wherever I was.
Does creative expression in acting scratch a different itch for you compared to creative expression in music?
I find that creativity, whether expressed in words, photography, film, music, fashion, or art, is about storytelling, conveying a feeling. Music was the first medium I found I could do that with, but I think acting feels more natural to me somehow. Getting to inhabit different characters and use research and my own emotional memories to breathe life into them feels limitless to me: the possibilities are endless!
Tank top Gigli at Tab Vintage Pants Helmut Lang at Tab Vintage Dress & boots Stella McCartney Earrings Celine by Phoebe Philo at Tab Vintage
Now getting into Shantaram, first I want to congratulate you on the role- you did such a great job! The novel that the series is based on is highly praised for its vivid portrayal of life in Bombay in the 1980s. So, for a fun question first- if you could go back to any period of time in a certain country, where would you want to travel to?
I would love to go back to Ancient Rome, in its opulent heyday – the vulgarity, the drama, the politics and the decadence… swimming in a private bath house with beautiful tile and ceramic ornaments, drinking delicious wine, draped in the finest silk… The downside being I would probably be stabbed or poisoned by my own husband or child, after having been betrayed by my lover!
The series was filmed in Melbourne and Bhopal, right? Was there a moment when you felt most immersed in the setting that the series set out to portray?
Before the pandemic, we shot in India but due to Covid we couldn’t resume shooting there so we shot almost everything you now see in the series in Bangkok and Melbourne. But it was amazing that we got to spend time in India and lay the groundwork for understanding the essence of Bombay better, as it is the core and backbone of the entire story.
Top, skirt & shoes Patou Earrings Tab Vintage Dress & boots Stella McCartney Earrings Celine by Phoebe Philo at Tab Vintage
You play Lisa Carter, who I find to be such an interesting character because at least in the beginning of the series, she is so often defined by others around her- especially Karla and men who view her as an object of desire. When portraying Lisa, did you factor in how she was perceived by others?
Growing up in America in the 60s, I think Lisa was taught that her only currency in the world was her looks, instilling a sense of confidence in her body but lack thereof in her mind. So I felt that Lisa being forthcoming in wanting her physical self to be validated by others, but confused in understanding how to be truly loved was a way for me to unlock her.
For some of the series we see Lisa being taken care of and at one point Karla says to her, “You like being powerless because it makes you the center of the universe that you love to be in.” This concept of power is one that runs through much of Lisa’s storyline especially the power or lack thereof over her own body. Can you tell us a little bit about this aspect of her character?
I think Lisa feels comfortable operating within the trope of the damsel in distress, it relieves her from having to take care of herself and face mundane adult tasks, a Blanche DuBois type modus operandi.
Sweater, pants & shoes IRO Paris
Dress & boots Stella McCartney Earrings Celine by Phoebe Philo at Tab Vintage
In that same vein, freedom is a theme that runs through much of the series. Karla asks Lin what his freedom is, and he expresses that it is the right to choose. How do you think Lisa would define her freedom? For you personally, what is your freedom?
Hmm… Good question. Objectively, true freedom for Lisa would be independence from men, dope and Karla, finding a way to look after herself financially. But I think she thinks freedom for herself would be an endless party with zero responsibilities or obligations. For me, freedom is a state of mind, which sounds cliche, but I feel like old thought patterns, traumas and stories create a form of mental prison that we so often trap ourselves in, it limits our ideas, curiosity and love. Sometimes, when I am able to be free of that self-inflicted hindrance, I feel a relieving sense of freedom.
Getting back into music a bit and without giving much away, at one point Lisa leaves with “Something on Your Mind” by Karen Dalton on the record player which held significance for the scene. At the moment, what song would you play in the background to represent your life?
Oh, how I love that song and scene… And not to mention T. Rex’s “Cosmic Dancer” at the end of episode two. But to get back to the question…Hmm. It depends on the day. I relax the most when I listen to instrumental music, or music with subtle vocals. I love everything Brian Eno. Though when I’m driving, I like myself some dramatic storytelling, like Martha Wainwright’s “Factory” or Lucinda Williams’ “Fruits of My Labor.”
Dress & boots Stella McCartney Earrings Celine by Phoebe Philo at Tab Vintage
Since this interview is a ContentsBeauty cover, in Say Lou Lou, what image do you hope to represent through hair, makeup, and fashion?
We like to adapt the aesthetics of Say Lou Lou to whatever music we’re putting out at the time. It’s definitely something we enjoy thinking about, making how we look an extension of the songs we’re releasing and not leaving it as an afterthought. We have mood boards for everything!
Tank top Gigli at Tab Vintage Pants Helmut Lang at Tab Vintage Sweater, pants & shoes IRO Paris
Top, skirt & shoes Patou Earrings Tab Vintage
What can we look forward to next from you, in both music and acting?
Say Lou Lou will be back with a new single in November, the first one in 3 years!! We’re so excited and without sounding too pretentious, I think it might be our most sincere work yet.
Quickfire Beauty Questions:
Beauty muse?
Isabelle Huppert morphed with Amber Valetta
Go-to skincare routine?
Shitloads of SPF. Humidifier, air purifier, massaging and LED mask. No harsh exfoliants.
Go- to beauty products?
Eyelash curler, eyebrow gel and translucent highlighter.
Dress Stella McCartney Earrings Celine by Phoebe Philo at Tab Vintage
Photography
Creative Director & Fashion Editor
Interview
Makeup
Cedric Jolivet @ The Wall Group
Using Armani Beauty
Hair
Web Layout
Thank you