La Roux originated as a musical duo comprising singer Elly Jackson and producer Ben Langmaid. Following their split in 2014, La Roux became Jackson’s solo project. Born Eleanor Jackson on March 12, 1988, in London, United Kingdom, she is the daughter of actress Trudie Goodwin and actor Kit Jackson. Her grandfather, Anthony Bernard, was the founder of the London Chamber Orchestra and the first musical director of the Shakespeare Memorial Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon. Jackson received her education at Pimlico School, Sydenham High School, and Royal Russell School.
Jackson’s initial musical inspiration stemmed from folk artists such as Carole King, Nick Drake, and Joni Mitchell, whose records she discovered in her parents’ collection. Her early exposure laid the groundwork for her evolving musical style.
As a teenager, her tastes shifted dramatically toward electronic and rave music. Influences during this period included Depeche Mode, Prince, Madonna, Jenny Wilson, Gerry Rafferty, Michael Jackson, Eurythmics, The Knife, and David Bowie—artists who would later shape her synth-pop aesthetic.
In 2010, Jackson curated a volume of Sidetracked, a compilation series spotlighting electronic artists and their musical inspirations. Her edition featured a diverse mix of tracks by Joyce Sims, Fever Ray, Japan, and Tears for Fears, underscoring her wide-ranging musical taste and commitment to the genre.
Elly Jackson is known for her staunch rejection of traditional beauty standards and gender norms. Her distinctive androgynous fashion sense became a hallmark of the La Roux brand. Despite some industry pressure to conform to more feminine aesthetics, Jackson has remained firm in expressing her identity on her own terms.
The name "La Roux" reflects this fluidity. A blend of the French terms le roux (masculine) and la rousse (feminine), it loosely translates to "the redhead," a nod to Jackson's naturally reddish hair. The mixed-gender phrasing parallels her nonconformist approach to identity and style.
Jackson and Langmaid began collaborating in 2006, initially working on an acoustic project called Automan. La Roux’s debut single, “Quicksand,” was released in December 2008 through Kitsuné Music, a French independent label known for promoting emerging electronic acts.
Her second single, "In for the Kill," released on March 16, 2009, garnered significant attention. The track attracted notable remixes by Skream and Skrillex, emblematic of La Roux’s influence in the dubstep and electronic music circles. The song charted at number two on the UK Singles Chart, further solidifying Jackson’s prominence in the synth-pop and electronic scene.
On June 21, 2009, La Roux released "Bulletproof," which debuted at number one on the UK Singles Chart. The success of the single brought international recognition.
