COLOMBIAN MUSICAN ELSA Y ELMAR ONLY MAKES MUSIC THAT AMAZES HER
With a sound this unique and true to her Colombian culture, Elsa y Elmar is ready to not only be mainstream in the Latinx landscape, she’s ready for her music to touch the world. Blowing up online before many knew her name, we sit down with Elsa to learn all about her journey and what’s up next for her!
FEATURE INTERVIEW:
TELL US ABOUT HOW YOU WERE DISCOVERED?
I was never discovered; I discovered myself. My story is not like that of the singer-songwriter performing at a bar who is found by a relevant person. My story is more like that of a girl from a small town in Colombia who has always been obsessed with writing, making music, and creating art.
I discovered myself through the internet, where I started to upload my music on Soundcloud. Little by little, strangers found my music, which was magical to me. In 2013, with the help of a friend, I self-released an EP and began working under a fake name as my “manager,” writing to media and other artists. My journey has been one of hard work and paving the road for my music and career.
If I had to say someone “discovered” me, it was Carla Morrison. She read an email I sent her and shared my music on Twitter!
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR SOUND?
My genre is Elsa y Elmar. It’s my own. Sometimes I call it spiritual pop, a game of words that helps me describe the emotional yet easy-to-enjoy quality of my sound and lyrics.
Basically, I make and have always made whatever music feels right.
HOW IS YOUR MUSIC DISRUPTING THE LATINX SOUND?
My music has huge ambitions. I truly believe there is a place in the mainstream Latinx landscape for music like mine. I believe that staying true to my gut, my vision, my sound, my lyrics, and my creative interests while working towards becoming a part of the Latinx pop community is, in itself, a disruption.
WHAT IS YOUR SONGWRITING PHILOSOPHY?
Songs need to amaze me. While creating a song, it needs to excite and surprise me. I have a very visceral reaction to music, and I know perfectly well when a song is worthy of being written.
WHAT LYRIC FROM YOUR LATEST SINGLE HITS CLOSEST TO HOME?
“VISTO,” is my latest single, and a lyric that hits close to home is “todo lo que había previsto y en tus planes ya no existo” (“everything I had predicted and I don’t exist in your plans anymore”).
HOW DO YOU COORDINATE YOUR FASHION SENSE?
As with songwriting, I also have a visceral reaction to fashion. Outfits and pieces just have to feel right and “natural” to me. In the past, I used to be persuaded by other people’s opinions on my outfits, but as a creative and personal decision for this PALACIO era, I made sure I would only wear what felt comfortable, innovative, and fun. I am very irreverent with fashion. I can wear luxury brands with TIANGUIS pieces, and that’s what makes it very Elsa.
WHAT IS ONE THING YOU ALWAYS KEEP IN YOUR PURSE, LIPGLOSS OR LIPSTICK?
Always clear lip gloss.
WHO ARE YOUR SHEROES?
Celia Cruz is one of my sheroes. She was such an icon in every sense of the word. Also, my mommy and my grandma are my sheroes. They are great examples of hardworking and honorable women.
WHAT IS NEXT?
Working hard to have the best album release possible! PALACIO is coming out on August 30th.
I’m also about to begin curating and rehearsing the live show of the album <3!
TEAM CREDITS:
Editor in Chief: Prince Chenoa (@princechenoastudio)
Feature Editor: Taylor Winter Wilson (@taylorwinter)
Photographer: Ana Lorenzana (@analorenzana)
