Ben Madden

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Elana Stone's ‘Permanent Limbo’ Is A Look At Digital Relationships

Elana Stone. Photo supplied.

Elana Stone has spent the last six years on tour as part of a myriad of different bands. However, her new single Permanent Limbo is a return to her early days of being a solo artist, and it’s her first solo release in five years. Permanent Limbo is a fun look at how relationships and technology have become irreparably enmeshed. There’s more ways to connect with people online than ever. Ufortunately, that makes establishing a meaningful, longlasting connection that much harder.

Hidden beneath the veneer of what is a hugely danceable track is a certain truth all musicians come to face at some point. Being on the road for so long means those you left behind fade away, and there’s not much you can do about it. Elana’s also part of All Our Exes Live In Texas, and has toured the world with them, as well as featuring in Missy Higgins and John Butler Trio’s backing bands. It’s an exciting life, but not one that necessarily lends itself to forming long-term relationships at home.

That’s not to say the song is gloomy, however. It’s honest. Humans are increasingly able to traverse the globe (and have more opportunity than ever to do so, 2020 notwithstanding). Success does come at a cost, and Elana acknowledges that. It’s not meant to make you feel sorry for her - quite the opposite. It’s simply aural catharsis for both the artist and the listener. Sometimes circumstances don’t work out the way you intended. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with that.

Speaking about the song, Elana says it was a joy to make Permanent Limbo. "I am so excited about this release because it's fun and danceable but it has its roots in a story of love and loss. It was cathartic to write and it will be cathartic to release and share during this moment of historic uncertainty. It is essentially a danceable electronic pop anthem to accompany the merging of humans and technology and potentially the end of life as we know it.”

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Being a musician comes at a cost. Permanent Limbo is a description of that cost, and is a purging of the feelings of guilt and loss that have resulted from a career spent on the road. If Elana has anything else she’d like to get off the chest, I’d love to hear it. Permanent Limbo will get your hips moving, and the gears in your brain turning. To me, that’s the sign of a bloody good song.