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Where are you and your band from?
I am from Melbourne, Australia but have been playing music in NY for the last year. I often play with different musicians depending on where the gig is – it’s super exciting and fun for me to get to play with and learn from lots of different people with varied musical backgrounds. In Melbourne, I played and recorded with Melbourne musicians, in NY I play with mostly NY based musicians, I played in Pennsylvania last month with local musicians and later in the month I’ll be playing with musicians in Connecticut.
What type of music did you hear the most growing up?
When I was really young, I listened to a lot of music from musicals (Les Mis was/is my all time favourite), an oldies station on the radio (the only one my parents would let me listen to) and then when I discovered RnB and soul music, I listened to a lot of that!
What made you first realize you wanted to pursue a career in music?
I think I always knew that I wanted to pursue a career in music but I felt confined within cultural and social expectations to pursue a career in a “more stable” industry. I went down the expected path of my community for a while, studying both Law and Biomedicine, but wasn’t fulfilled in the way that I knew I would be if I was working in an area I was passionate about. I’m lucky that I have a very strong internal gage, and I can feel my passions in my gut and my entire being. Deciding to follow my gut and passion was a really amazing and liberating choice!
What sets you apart from other bands/artists today?
That’s always a really hard one to answer! There are so many talented people in the music industry! The music that I create is very authentic to who I am and represents my truth – and I think that’s a really important way to set yourself apart!
For those who have never seen or heard your music before, how would you describe your music for the public audience?
If you threw soul, pop and RnB into a giant pot, added some sixties flavoring and seasoned with the energy of funk-master musicians, you’d get Elsie an The Vibe. My music is the audible, artistic version of the complex workings of my mind and soul.
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If you had to categorize your music, what genre would it best fit?
Soul/RnB
Are there any stories surrounding your songs that you’d care to share?
My debut track, Riverside, is about my experience with cancer when I was 18. It was a very confronting time for me, but I always believed that I was going to be okay. The song embodies my defiance in the face of the diagnosis. It’s one of my favourite songs on the EP, and definitely one that I have found has resonated really strongly with people.
Another song on the EP that is very personal to me is Naked. I wrote that song when I first started playing my songs to other people. I had always written songs just for myself and so the idea of exposing my deepest thoughts and feelings was very confronting. The song is about my struggle with this and finding the strength in vulnerability.
What do you do with your time away from music?
Since I’ve been in New York I’ve just been soaking up the city! There’s so much to do and see here! Back home I am a primary teacher (in the US – elementary teacher) – I really love working with kids.
Any upcoming shows/tours/news?
Lots of shows! Lots of news! This month I’m playing at various venues around the city (Queens Night Market, Groove, Pianos), at the Jersey Shore Festival in NJ and at Cafe Nine in CT.
I recently released my debut track, Riverside, off my upcoming EP which has been doing really well, and the second single Just Don’t has just come out. I’m actually doing a single release show for Just Don’t at Groove on May 13. Then the full EP release is July 8 and I’ll be doing a release show in Melbourne, Australia.
You can find all the information at facebook or Instragram @elsieandthevibe
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