- Hi Elise, can you tell me a little bit about yourself before you became a country singer?
Well, its been so long now its hard to say! Haha. I started playing guitar when I was 11 and writing songs when I was 12 and never stopped since. I think from very early on I realized songwriting was something I was crazy about and it has truly always felt like a part of who I am.
- Who are some of your musical icons?
Lucinda Williams, John Prine, Neil Young, Stevie Nicks, Debbie Harry, Jenny Lewis, Tom Petty, Jason Isbell… the list could go on for awhile!
- How did you get your start in country music?
I remember being an 8 or 9 years old and sitting in front of the TV for hours watching CMT country music videos. I wasn’t even always sure what they were singing about but I knew I loved it. (Then I would go dance around my room with a CD player listening to Faith Hill’s “This Kiss” and think about the boys I liked!) I just loved the lyrics in country music so much. The simplicity, the honesty. I definitely think that when I started writing songs at age 12 those elements in country songs were something I incorporated in my own writing. Over the years I have experimented with playing rock music, and more indie music, but I feel like there are elements of country music always beneath my songs. You know how they say country music is 3 chords and the truth? When I write I try to say something real and honest in a simple easily digestible fashion, and I learned that from country music.
- Where do you see yourself in the next 5 to 10 years in your music career?
Hopefully still putting out records I am proud of and selling out shows in theaters across the US. (And other countries as well!) I have two bucket list musical goals- 1) to play on a late night television show, 2) to headline the Ryman in Nashville.
- Is there anything new coming up with your music for 2017?
Right now I am starting the plans for where I am going to make my next record! Other than that I will be on the road a bunch this year still touring off my recently released record “The Token”.
- If you could sing a duet with singer or group who would it be and why?
Hmm… good question! Thats a tough one! I think it would be really cool to sing a duet with Taylor Goldsmith of the band Dawes. I really love the vibe or that band and think he is a really incredible lyricist.
- What is one accomplishment that you are most proud so far in your music career?
This past year I released, “The Token”, on Thirty Tigers label in Nashville. One of my childhood dreams was always to get a record deal. This was the first record I was able to record with a producer and have it released with a label, so that has felt pretty amazing.
- If you were not a singer what do you think your career would be?
A crazy woman! haha. Honestly writing and singing is what keeps me sane. Without it I don’t even know what I would do with myself! I would probably be a kinda kooky art teacher in a middle school somewhere.
- If you had to give advice to an up and coming artist or group what would you tell them?
Make music that you are proud of and fuck what other people think. Make music that is real and feels good to you and don’t worry about pleasing others. What’s the point of doing it in the first place if its not out of a true effort to make art you love? Be yourself and be authentic. Work hard. Put yourself out there. Get out of your comfort zone.
- What is one of your favorite quotes?
“Life is far too serious to take seriously.”
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