By Nicholas Jason Lopez
With a style that fuses both her passion for poetry and modern-day music, Anna Elyse has firmly stomped her place in the industry, through anthems like “Trading Glances” and “Faster Than We Ran.”
A proud singer, songwriter and producer, Elyse drew inspiration from prolific figures like Neil Young, No ID, Mike Dean and Illangelo and hopes to provide listeners with that same positive energy that can happen when they find solace through emotional connections in music.
She graduated UCLA in California with a concentration in Creative Writing (Poetry) and also attended Audio Engineering School, where she took her experiences to help behind the scenes for Logic’s albums ‘Under Pressure,’ ‘The Incredible True Story’ and ‘No Pressure.’
Now with her career under a sole spotlight, The Music Bugle had the opportunity to chat with Elyse about her recent success and what’s next to come on her wave of momentum, which you can check out below.
Music Bugle – What was the moment that made you want to pursue music?
Anna Elyse – I don’t know if there was a specific moment. As long as I can remember, I wanted to be a part of music. It just took me a while to step into it. I spent a lot of time working on all the components behind it, like the engineering side, before finding the courage to do what I’d always wanted to do. There was a moment at a Dave Matthews concert when I was really young, where I remember being so caught up in the live show and songwriting and thinking, “This isn’t an option for me, I – have to, have to – do this.”
Music Bugle – What was your mindset behind the creation of your newest material?
Anna Elyse – It was a foggy morning at the beach that brought this song out of me. I started seeing these scenes playing out in the fog over the water and got this hit of gratitude for what this situation had brought into my life, even though it was kind of chaotic at the time. I think it’s important to live life and have those experiences that are extreme, bordering irresponsible. No matter what happens, it’ll make a great story and you can treasure the exciting parts of it forever.
Music Bugle – What makes you the most proud about where you are from?
Anna Elyse – I was always taught that we are all one. That we are all the same, no matter the religion you practice or don’t practice or where you’re from, what kind of life you came from, etc. – and that makes me proud.
Music Bugle – Who are you listening to right now, music-wise?
Anna Elyse – Jensen McRae, Lizzie McAlpine and Sophie Holohan.
Music Bugle – What’s a quote that motivates you to keep doing what you do?
Anna Elyse – “There is a vitality, a life force, a quickening that is translated through you into action and there is only one of you in all time, this expression is unique and if you block it, it will never exist through any other medium and be lost,” by Martha Graham. Another one is “You can fail at what you don’t want, so you might as well take a chance on doing what you love,” by Jim Carrey. Jim Carrey’s story about his dad really stuck with me. Also, just the idea that it’s “better done than perfect” and how important it is to have grit.
Music Bugle – Does social media help or hurt musicians?
Anna Elyse – It all depends. Mostly, I think it helps, but I know I struggle with being so open all the time. I’m more of a private person that just wants to create the best music I can, so it can be stressful. It’s just a tool like anything else. I do think it’s such a blessing that you can meet and communicate with people across the globe that just happened to stumble on your music who you wouldn’t have been able to reach without a label before. It’s just also important not to burn yourself out trying to keep up with someone else’s path.
Music Bugle – Where do you go when you need a break?
Anna Elyse – The beach, or nature in general. If I need a bigger break, it’s time to plan a trip to somewhere new.
Music Bugle – What’s something that you wish happened more in today’s music industry?
Anna Elyse – I think the music industry is heading into a better place, farther away from a few labels controlling everything and more into a crowd-sourced type of place. I wish things didn’t get so shady when it came to being credited or getting paid, so I wish it was a bit more of an honest environment on the business end of things.
Music Bugle – What has been your favorite show to binge lately?
Anna Elyse – I just finished ‘Jury Duty’ and the ending was so sweet. ‘Beef’ was really good too, definitely binged that one. Usually, my answer would be some sort of K-Drama.
Music Bugle – What do you feel is the next step for your career?
Anna Elyse – Releasing more music, collabing with other producers and musicians and playing some live shows!
