Interview with Country Artist Elle Vance on Album 'Destined To Be'

Interview with Elle Vance on her New Country Album ‘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 started at age 39, when I wrote a book of short prose called “The Beauty of Life:24 Gifts and a Song”. It took me a while, because the book is published in 3 languages (English, Spanish & French-Canadian). So translating the song, while keeping the same melody, was a little challenging. Notating it was another challenge, but I really wanted the reader to be able to have the score available, if they wanted to play along via piano and/or guitar. The book is currently available, in all 3 languages, on Amazon with the song “The Beauty of Life” streaming online on all major music streaming platforms. Additionally it’s available on my website.

MuzicNotez: Since our last interview, you released your debut EP ‘Destined To Be’, which we love, and it’s doing great! What inspired this release?

Elle Vance: My husband. He loved the single “Destined To Be”, which I had written to him, as a gift. He was really impressed with the song writing and style and encouraged me to write an EP album. Each song on the album is a reflection of him. He is, most definitely, my muse.

Website: Elle-Vance.com
Facebook.com/profile.php?id=61573847555912
Instagram: @elle_vance_1

MuzicNotez: You’ve been working hard to get that EP out, how’s it feel to finally see it out there and being so well received?

Elle Vance: It feels great, but it’s definitely a learning curve. The music industry is a different ball game from 10 or 20 years ago. It’s all about navigating not just the radio industry, but the internet streaming industry too. Not to mention the extensive promo work that’s done on multiple social media platforms. Being an indie artist means having to focus a lot on the marketing side of music and it can feel overwhelming. But, you live and learn.

MuzicNotez: You have roots from all over the world, from Chile to Canada, and now in Texas. How does that all influence your unique country sound?

Elle Vance: Well, being raised in the Canadian prairies, I don’t have the country twang that’s so recognizable in traditional American country music. Nor would I want to sing that way, because I want to keep my sound authentic to who I am. And because my husband was the inspiration for this album, I wanted it to reflect not just his country style but his affinity to an edgier sound. He’s an army brat that grew up in Germany, and heavily influenced by 80’s rock and metal. I grew up very influenced by my Chilean community within Alberta (the Texas of Canada), so I also wanted to reflect that in my songwriting. So Spanish words and singing about Spanish culture was added, which definitely reflects the Hispanic lifestyle you would find in Texas, especially in San Antonio. Ultimately, I ended up with an album that’s more of a fusion of Country, Country-Rock, Country-Pop and Outlaw Country. But I wanted Country to be the underlying foundation, even if it’s not what one would call “traditional country”. If anything, the album definitely reflects Texas culture.

MuzicNotez: Being a mother and wife, how do you balance family life with your music career?

Elle Vance: Good time management is key. I’m a stay at home mom to a 7 year old boy that is now in the school system, so that gives me more flexibility during the day to do things like song-writing, marketing, etc. And my husband is awesome! He doesn’t give me a hard time if I don’t have certain “housewife” duties done by a particular time. He knows I do my best to stay on top of everything. And as long as he’s eating good, gets good loving and has a happy wife, then he makes it pretty easy to juggle being a mom, wife, musician, marketing manager, etc. He is not only my muse, but my biggest fan and a wonderful support system, which is crucial.

MuzicNotez: What is your music creating process like? Do you have a home studio, or record elsewhere?

Elle Vance: Once I’ve written the lyrics and have the melody down, I’ll send that to my partner-in-rhyme, Jesse Bourbon. We both work on the music to accompany the lyrics, working on the sound and atmosphere I want to project. He will record music at his studio and when it’s ready, he will come to my place to record vocals in my home studio. Or I’ll go to his studio to record vocals. We both have families, so we do our best to accommodate each other’s schedules. From there, we do post production edits, add background vocals, mixing, mastering. And voila… music is made.

MuzicNotez: Do you write your own music? If so, what’s that writing process like?

Elle Vance: Yes, I write my own lyrics and music is collaborated with Jesse. First and foremost, I’m a storyteller. So each song is a story about what my experiences are within my new life in Texas. For instance, “Destined To Be” is about how I met my husband. “Boot Porn” is based on a true story that stems from my husband’s addiction to cowboy boots. He has an insane collection of exotics. “Mr. Bandido” was born from 1- The Bandidos forming in Texas and 2-an argument I had with my husband. It’s like, why get so mad at me when you’ll just say sorry later when you want that good loving? It’s also inspired by a Bandido I met in Canada, long ago, that was completely enamored with me (but that’s another story). “Sweet Texas Heat” is a dedication to my new home state, Texas. And Texas is all about hot weather and great food… especially BBQ. And lastly, “Road To Nowhere” is inspired by being stuck in traffic. My husband constantly complains about his commute, as does everyone in Texas, so I wanted to finish the album with a song that had the listener appreciate their time in their car/truck and to reflect on life instead of reflecting about the traffic jam. I wanted the music to give a nostalgic vibe and so placing it at the end of the album, kind of gives the listener the opportunity to reflect on their life & change the music to something that takes them down their own memory lane. Ultimately, each song was inspired by my husband, but is a reflection of Texas.

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

Elle Vance: Right now, I haven’t had much of an opportunity to work on new music because I’ve been so busy marketing the album while being a wife and mom. But I was thinking that my next album would be less of my reflection of Texas living and more about what happened in my life before moving to Texas. A glimpse into the diary of my life and the relationships and situations I experienced that has molded me into the woman I am today. Something much more personal with songs that listeners can relate to. But… baby steps. Right?

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

Elle Vance: Yes, thank you for joining me on this musical journey. I appreciate everyone of y’all. My debur album “Destined To Be” is now available on all major music streaming platforms and my website. Also, make sure to join my IG (Elle_Vance_1) and Facebook (Elle Vance – Official) to catch more behind-the-scenes as I travel down this musical country road.