Interview with Country Artist Elyse Saunders on New Single ‘Dirt’, advice to succeed & what’s next

MuzicNotez: First off, it’s an honor to be doing this interview with you, thanks for taking the time to sit down with us. What motivated you to start creating music? What age did you begin?

Elyse Saunders: Thanks so much for having me! Music has always been a part of me since as long as I can remember. I had a natural ear and passion for music since I was a little one and wrote my first song when I was around 5 years old. My mom was an at home hobby-songwriter and seeing her express herself that way was super inspiring to me. I’ve always been amazed by incredible singers and performers and thought that one day, I would like to do that too, but didn’t have a clue how. I began singing in competitions as a young teen, which lead me to finding my very first mentor and producer. I learned a lot and then had some amazing opportunities happen, including the recording of my very first album in Nashville. Because I was still so green and it all happened so fast, I took a step back to develop my work, but was just so grateful that pursuing a life of music was now a reality for me. From then on I had grew my chops by surrounding myself with more mentors and people that I looked up to and just by putting myself out there, doing the work and being a sponge.

Who were your musical influences, idols, or bands growing up that have helped mold you into the musician you are today? Or helped mold the music that you create?

Elyse Saunders: There were so many, for different reasons, but I’ve always looked up to big icons like Garth Brooks, Shania Twain, Sheryl Crow and Dolly Parton. They have such distinct voices and are incredible entertainers and writers. I also listened to a lot of modern country like Taylor Swift and Carrie Underwood while also being influenced by artists from other genres that my parents were listening to like The Eagles and Celine Dion. Truly, I love all types of music and it all impacted me in some way and probably why I write for other genres as well. Those were just some of my early heroes that inspired me to follow my own dreams as a country recording artist.

What’s the ultimate goal you want your music to achieve, or for you to achieve in your career as a musician? Any particular message you wish to send?

Elyse Saunders: The ultimate goal is to reach as many people as possible with my music and have a successful and sustainable platform that positively impacts people on a large scale. Between Nashville and Canada, my music is now expanding into Australian country radio and digitally to other places in the world. I’d love to do a lot more touring through out Canada and the U.S and then other parts of the world. I believe that my mission is to bring authenticity, positivity, empowerment, connection and hope to people through my music and platform. As much as it’s important to me to do what I love to do, I will feel most fulfilled if my music, my voice. message and platform can help people.

What’s the greatest concert you’ve ever been to or performed?

Elyse Saunders: I’ve watched a lot of amazing concerts and each of them are so special. I recently saw Jelly Roll play at CMA fest and I’m blown away by the messages he shares with his audience. He’s using his platform for so much good and it really inspired me! One of the best concert’s that I’ve ever performed, so far, was in my hometown at our hometown festival Musicfest. It’s where I grew up watching so many other incredible artists and to step onto that stage to perform was a pretty powerful moment for me. It showed me how far I’ve come, reminded me of the work I did to get there, and then to see familiar faces in the crowd of many people who believed in me along the way, was super special. A moment I won’t forget!

You’re latest release is the single ‘Dirt’, which has been a big hit! What inspired this track, and what does it mean to you?

Elyse Saunders: I love to write songs with double entendres and I like to shed light on lots of life topics, “Dirt” does both of those things! The song inspiration comes from own experience of struggle and healing by making light of a situation that I know we all go through and have also been guilty of in some way. I wrote “Dirt” with David Madras and Sam Davs and it was actually so much fun to write it with them! The song is inspired by small town stories but connects to a much bigger topic and ultimately, we all have our own dirt to work on and god is the only one that gets to judge that dirt – haha.

You have been awarded female artist of the year by many, climbed the top of charts, been labeled as future star by iHeartRadio and more. How does it feel to see all of your hard work pay off and your dream in music becoming realized? What’s your journey to here been like?

Elyse Saunders: Oh wow, it’s an amazing feeling! I don’t take these moments lightly as it’s been a pile of work to get here. Making music is never about the accolades, but in the industry we work in, it all counts towards building a sustainable career.

To know that the sacrifices and hours are paying off feels like a relief and so exciting too because it means that my music is making a positive impact. The momentum is giving me the grease to keep working towards more bucket list moment and lifelong goals.

My journey is like many other successful artists before me, has been about putting in over 10 years of paying my dues, developing my chops, becoming stronger as a human, a creator and learning about the business. I didn’t go to school to learn these things, I did it by learning from others, trial and error, a lot of online research, a lot of personal financial investment and the guts to keep going when there were more no’s than yes’s.

As an independent artist, you’ve found a lot of success. What do you think is the best piece of advice for other artists out there looking for similar success?

Elyse Saunders: Develop your craft, embrace the business. Always let your why and your purpose be the reason that no’s will never stop you. Believe in who you are, keep learning, keep growing. Persistence pays off!

What else are you working on? What can we expect to see and hear from you in the future?

Elyse Saunders: I have new music coming down the pipeline that is recorded, and ready to be released at a future date. I’m always songwriting for myself as well as other artist projects, there’s a lot more shows in the works and I’m always looking for new opportunities and new ways to expand!

Anything else you wish to say about yourself or your music? Any message for your fans?

Elyse Saunders: Thanks so much for the chat today and thanks to anyone that’s taking the time to check out our interview. Please follow me on my socials to be a part of the journey, there’s lots more to come and I’d love to have ya part of it! Let’s keep on dream diggin’.

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