Biography

San Francisco-based Ellie Stokes is a singular soul and artistic siren calling for us to reconnect with nature and reclaim our strongest selves. A self-proclaimed “flailing dinosaur trapped in a young person’s body,” Stokes shatters norms, defies expectations, and transcends the pains of our earthly plain. Channeling psychedelic cabaret dreampunk into her performance alter-ego, Grooblen, Stokes’ healing work braids themes that are reflective, surreal, pensive, and whimsical. Inspired by musical artists Fiona Apple, Frank Zappa, Jeff Buckley, and Genesis, critics have compared her work to “the intimacy of Joni Mitchell and intensity of K.D. Lang” (The Other Side Reviews) for her masterful connection with audiences. Her work is a tangled testament to overcoming the ripples of traumatic experiences — sounds that soften and reset our rigid self-restriction as a trauma response to harmful experiences. Evolving from a single-artist to a tight trio, Grooblen’s signature style is enhanced through left- turn arrangements and the silliest banter you can darn well imagine.