An Interview with Ella Jay Basco and the Sibs

An Interview with Ella Jay Basco and the Sibs

I had the opportunity to meet up with Ella Jay and the Sibs a few weeks ago, and got to talk all about music, and their journey. Ella is a phenomenal singer/songwriter, and formed her band with her two younger siblings Deuce and Emerson. I first saw them perform at an event Ella put together called Feminine Energy. Enjoy their interview below…

How did the band come together? Was it a specific moment or gradual?
Ella Jay Basco and the Sibs didn’t form overnight. Instead, their journey unfolded gradually, marked by a series of live performances, collaborations, and late-night practices that have helped shape their unique sound over the years. The band’s roots trace back to 2020, a pivotal year for Basco, who was simultaneously debuting in her first feature film, Birds of Prey while launching her music career. As she explored her musical identity, achieving accolades like her MTV spotlighted music video “Bubble Tea“, Basco realized that performing with a live band was essential. And after maintaining a solo career, collaborating with artists Drea Rose, Casey Dunmore, and Ruby Ibarra, Basco recruited her very own siblings to perform those songs live with her!

Her parents even went on to gift her younger sister, Emerson Basco, an electric bass one Christmas, followed by an electric drum kit for her brother, Deuce Basco. With her siblings now on board, Ella began writing more songs and rehearsing with them, transforming Deuce’s bedroom into a rehearsal space, and upgrading their musical instruments along the way. What started as a family affair quickly grew into a full-fledged musical venture. The trio began playing venues across Los Angeles, including iconic spots like Hotel Café and the Bourbon Room. They’ve also worked with musical legends No Doubt, performing with them at a MUZAK organization performance in 2023, and opening for Yo La Tengo at a Kamala Harris fundraiser in 2024. Additionally, the band has performed at Basco’s very own fundraiser event titled FEMININE ENERGY: the female fronted concert night with proceeds donated to a local women’s shelter, Alexandria House. The Sibs have taken many feats and they aren’t stopping now!!

What are some of your musical influences, and how do they shape your style?
Ella Jay Basco and the Sibs draw from a wide range of musical influences, blending both contemporary and classic sounds to shape their style. Their current inspirations include artists like Tyler, The Creator, Beabadoobee, Boygenius, Lil Yachty, Faye Webster, Rex Orange County, TV Girl, and The Wasia Project. Their musical roots also run deep in past decades, with nods to No Doubt, Fiona Apple, Björk, Veruca Salt, Yo La Tengo, Radiohead, Nirvana, and A Tribe Called Quest. Raised on a rich diet of music, the siblings’ eclectic taste has been further enriched by attending numerous concerts, festivals, and live shows over the years, which has had a lasting impact on their sound.

What’s the best part of working with each other, and what makes your band unique?
The standout feature of Ella Jay Basco and the Sibs is the long-established dynamic between the three siblings. While sibling bands have made their mark in music history, the connection between Ella, Deuce, and Emerson is particularly special, shaped by their close age gap and years of shared experiences with music. This familial bond translates seamlessly into their live performances, adding an authentic chemistry to the stage that audiences can feel. Of course, no group dynamic is without its challenges. As with any close-knit trio, they have their sibling-like arguments. But it’s precisely these moments that often help to shape their sound and refine their connection as musicians. Ella also likes to connect to audiences through her songwriting and relatable lyrics about teenage experiences growing up in LA.

What’s on your tour wishlist, or is there a venue or city you dream of playing in?
For Ella Jay Basco and the Sibs, the dream is as much about hometown pride as it is about international aspirations. As Los Angeles natives, the trio has set their sights on iconic local venues like the Hollywood Bowl, the Wiltern, and Greek Theatre (the list goes on) where they hope to one day stand on stage and share their music with a hometown crowd. These venues represent the places where they’ve witnessed musical legends and where they envision themselves one day leaving their own mark.

But the band’s ambitions stretch beyond the City of Angels. As a half-Filipino, half-Korean group, the siblings are deeply connected to their cultural roots and dream of taking their music to the very places that shaped them. They envision playing for the audiences in the Philippines and Korea, sharing their sound and stories with people in their ancestral homelands.

If you could perform on any major festival stage, which one would it be?
If Ella Jay Basco and the Sibs could perform at any major festival, Coachella would without a doubt be at the top of their list. In 2023, the band had the unforgettable experience of attending the iconic festival together for the first time as audience members, and it left a lasting impact. The trio recalls how eye-opening it was to witness the diverse array of musical acts across various genres, each bringing something unique to the stage. From the large-scale productions to the intimate performances, the sheer variety and creativity of the festival were truly inspiring. Performing at Coachella, they say, would truly be a dream come true.

(Interview and Photos by Denise Johnson)

Ella Jay Basco on Instagram
The Sibs on Instagram