Killing Heidi has seven nominations for the coming ARIA awards. Do you remember going into the press room at last year's ARIA awards? And no one knew who we were?
(ELLA): Yeah, I remember people thinking, "Who are these kids in the funny clothes?'' We had one song out this time last year (Weir). Now we're about to release our fourth single and we've had all this success. I'm really chuffed that we've been able to come this far in a year. I feel that having us back to play at the ARIAs is a pat on the back from the industry, as well as the nominations. It's recognition that we've done well and worked hard.
Did you ever worry about saturation earlier this year? People were starting to call you Over-Killing Heidi . . .
It was way Over-Killing Heidi. We played every capital city twice within a few months. We were everywhere. But I think we needed to do it. You have to get the name out there and get people interested.
Did you get sick of yourself?
Oh, yeah. Well, not so much myself, but the constant Killing Heidiness. Overkill is a very dangerous thing for bands. I don't want to be so accessible. I want Killing Heidi to be something that's a bit mysterious. When we came out there was an air of intrigue because nobody knew who we were or where we came from. Now everyone's suss on the Killing Heidi thing, but I still want there to be something alluring.
You're only 17. How are you coping with growing up in public?
It is weird, but in a way it's nice. You can document your adolescence. I'll be able to show my kids photos of me in the paper when I was a teenager. It'll be special. You have to look at it in a good way. It'd be bloody hard to fight against it.
What are you planning for your 18th birthday?
I'm torn between a big party out in the country, because of my country upbringing, or doing the Melbourne thing because I live in the city now. I might have to have two parties.
Have you bought a car yet?
I really want to drive, but I haven't even got my Ls yet. I've got contact lenses so I can at least take the driving test. I'm so short-sighted. I don't like wearing glasses. Glasses never look good on me. I look like a nerd, even with the most expensive glasses.
Do you still see Ella look-alikes?
Sometimes. I've come to the conclusion that it's just flattering. If I can be some kind of image-changer, that's cool. I thought I was a trend-setter in grade five when I got an undercut and everyone else got one.
Do you still see yourself as the Anti-Britney?
It's definitely time to be an antidote to her; it's much needed. I saw a split screen recently with Britney, Jessica Simpson, Mandy Moore and Billie and they're all identical, like clones. I'm happy to put a different option out there.
How will the next Killing Heidi album sound?
I wrote Reflector in high school -- it's about that stage of teenagedom. The next one will be more mature, because I'm maturing, but I think there'll still be an angsty feel. I'm only 17, I've still got that in me. I think it'll be more relaxed, not as urgent as Reflector. I'm over that. I'm not in high school any more and I don't have those pressures on me. This one will probably be about the pressures of the outside world.
But without talking about riding in limos and hanging out with Courteney Cox?
No! People don't want to hear about "today I made a video''. I'm not interested in hearing people sing about that fantasy rock-star thing, either. That's boring.
Are you sick of the songs on Reflector yet?
I'm not. I thought I would be. You just get better at playing them. That's the challenge. When we release Weir in America we'll have to play it all over again there. We'll probably be playing Weir until we're 30, so you can't get sick of it.
At the moment, the band tour only in small bursts because you're 17. Will that change when you turn 18?
That's my choice. It's not just because I'm under age. I'm scared that when I'm 18 it'll be like, "Let's go away for months on end.'' I miss my parents, my friends, my boyfriend, my normal life. I get a bit weird without some normality. It's an abnormal industry. It suits the rest of the band. I like to travel, but it's still weird to me. You don't live anywhere, you get asked for your autograph by strangers.
You are pretty recognisable.
Yeah, we're like the Wiggles. You can tell who we are straight away. We've got a look.
Would you ever cut off your dreads?
Definitely, I'm sure that'll happen. You just have to be strategic about it, do it when it would be a good time for an image change. The video for Superman/Supergirl is a departure. The previous clips have been a bit more fantasy based, very bright and crazy. This one is a bit more real, a bit more personal and behind the scenes. I think people are ready for an non-dressed-up Killing Heidi, an un-Killing Heidi Killing Heidi. More organic.
What will buy with your first royalty cheque?
I might get a cool car, an old one, and fix it up. I hate new cars. I want one with personality. Then I really want a motorbike. I want to ride with Vanessa Amorosi. I want her to teach me. I went to motorbike shops on the weekend and they were saying how Vanessa had been in there getting stuff. She beats me to everything!
