Artist Interviews
Interview with Elle Vance on Country Single ‘Destined To Be’ & more
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?
Elle Vance: I’ve been writing stories and singing my whole life. But creating music didn’t happen until I was in my late 30’s. I wrote a book in 2017 titled “The Beauty of Life: 24 gifts & a song”. I felt compelled to add music to it because music brings beauty to life. So, completing this book is what motivated me to go down the rabbit hole of learning how to create the song I heard in my head. The song is called “The Beauty of Life”.
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?
Elle Vance: I was born and raised in Alberta, Canada. My hometown is dubbed “Oil City” and our sister city is “Cow Town”. It’s the Texas of Canada. It was IMPOSSIBLE to escape the country music scene. With that said, my country music taste was influenced by Dolly Parton, Kenny Rogers, Willie Nelson, Reba McEntire, and of course, our Canadian country sweetheart Shania Twain.
As a child, I recall treasured memories of singing, with my dad. Songs from The Beatles, Simon & Garfunkel, Cat Stevens, REM. I had older siblings/cousins that were listening to music before I was, so I was introduced to Madonna, Duran Duran, Billy Idol, Pink Floyd, Nirvana, The Chili Peppers.
And in an era where I was maturing into a young lady, I had found Neo-soul. That musical connection really helped me feel “soul” during a time that’s so confusing, taught me how to manipulate the muscles to my voice box and to sing softer than I do so with country. These artists include Erykah Badu, D’Angelo, Lauryn Hill, Floetry.
I feel like ALL the music I have listened to and sang to, throughout my life, regardless of genre, have molded me into the artist I am today.
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?
Elle Vance: That’s a great question. Of course, I would love to find success with my music. It’s my art and it comes from my soul. But life beyond music needs to be accounted for as well. I’m a wife and mother so my priority is to my family first. And to be honest, touring seems like I would miss my bed too much. My goal is to continue to keep telling great country stories, through songs, for other artists to find their voice to. I have no desire for “fame” and would be far more content as a ghostwriter. But… time will tell what avenue this journey takes me down. I’m not opposed to compromising certain aspects of my life to ensure the success of my art. As long as it doesn’t cause friction. Family First.
What’s the greatest concert you’ve ever been to or performed?
Elle Vance: : I think the most profound concert I was ever at was when I was 8 years old. My dad had taken my sisters and I to the annual Edmonton Folk Music Festival. It was then that I had seen the emerging Canadian artist k.d Lang perform on stage. She was singing, but I was more focused on her attire. I knew she was female because of her beautiful voice. But she was wearing a men’s tuxedo. I remember asking my father if she was a man or a woman and why she was wearing men’s clothing. It was that day that I learned that it’s ok to live outside the “box” society sets upon us.
Your latest release is ‘Destined to Be’, what inspired this track? What does it mean to you?
Elle Vance: : So, once upon a time, I was stuck in traffic outside of this old, popular Alberta country club, Barry-T’s. I was listening to country music on the radio and I thought to myself, “This song sucks. I can write a better song than this”. So I started to sing a country song based on my Alberta country environment and how I was destined to be a country girl. But I didn’t really know how to finish the song. And by the time we got moving, I figured “Meh, if it’s destined to be… I’ll finish the song some other time”.
Fast forward 10 years later, and in another country, my husband told me to listen to Beyonce’s new song “Texas Hold’em”. And while I was listening, I thought to myself, I can write a better song than this (not to knock her song, it was just the thought that came to my head). And, unbeknownst to me, my brain somehow recalled that moment in the car and I wrote the rest of Destined To Be with my husband inspiring the other ½ of my song. It’s a deeply personal song that I ended up sharing with my husband, US army officer, Major Eric Vance, on his birthday, last year. It was he who convinced me to share it with the rest of the world.
The music you create crosses genres, how would you describe your sound?
Elle Vance: : It really just depends on the genre. For instance, I feel country music is raw, gritty, wild… like the unpredictable land it is. It’s story-telling music and to sell the story, the listener needs to hear it come from your soul. So, my sound tries to match that. My voice, therefore, is more guttural, raspy, lower in range and comes more from the diaphragm. But, if I sing, let’s say Neo-soul, then I still sing with soul but it’s breathier, smoother, higher-range and comes more from the head. And it’s about the project and audience, too. For instance, because “The Beauty of Life” was attached to a book, I wanted the sound to be more universal. So, it’s not necessarily about having a “sound” more than it is about adapting your sound to your audience while still staying true to yourself, your voice, your message, your soul, your art.
You’re a woman of the world, living all around, with roots in Chili (via your parents), Canada, and now Texas. How does all of this add to who you are as an independent artist?
Elle Vance: : It adds a layer of flavor or “sabor”. Especially when you grow up listening to country music in mainstream society, and latin music inside the home. Along with whatever else was popular throughout the years. Singing country, I like to keep it sounding relatively country or country-rock, but I will always be adding Spanish flavor, in some way or another. Especially, debuting out of Texas, it’s important to acknowledge the Latin culture and how it has influenced the Texas country landscape. If my music comes from my soul then it has to reflect the Latina in me too. It’s a package deal.
What else are you working on? What can we expect to see and hear from you in the future?
Elle Vance: : Well, like I had mentioned earlier, I wrote this country song for my husband. And when I shared it with him, he was so impressed he asked me if I had it in me to write any more country songs. Living in Alberta and Texas as long as I have, in addition to being married to Mr.Country, you better believe I have more country songs to write. So I wrote and produced a country music EP album titled “Destined To Be”. It will feature 5 tracks, with each track reflecting life in Texas and inspired by my muse, aka my husband. If all goes well, I’m looking to release that album in the Spring of 2025.
Anything else you wish to say about yourself or your music? Any message for your fans?
Elle Vance: : Age is just a number. You’ll only get back what you put in. Don’t die with regret. And listen to “Destined To Be”, coming this Spring 2025.
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