Love Feels Right

Interview by The Heat Seekers

Elysé is a singer-songwriter and guitarist known for her low, sultry voice, and her soulful lead guitar licks. She has displayed her talents through television appearances, nightclubs private parties, publications, tours, and in the recording studio.

She has performed and recorded with notable, actor/musician Gary Farmer (Reservation Dogs, Pow Wow, Highway, Dead Man, Smoke Signals), Jabbo Stokes (Jabbo Stokes & the Jive Rockets; Tommy Shaw’s first band before STYX), Mike Turner (Mike and the Micros), Mark Elmore (Smokey Creek, opening band for the Oakridge Boys, Stadler Brothers), Danny Yates (former lead guitarist for James Brown backing band), Ross Childress and Stephen Wines (founding member of Collective Soul, 2Broke Kings), Charlie Floyd (former Nashville recording artist), Charly Lowry (former American Idol alumni), Brant Leeper (John Mayhall and the Blues Breakers, Coco Montoya), and David Turner (Nothing But Groove).

Her debut first single, “Love Feels Right”, releasing in May of 2023 will feature local New Mexico talent: frontman of “Nothing But Groove” David Turner on guitar and vocals, Mikey Wright (The Voice) on guitar, Kim Stone (Spiro Gyra) on bass, Chuck Lucero (Music Producer) on Drums, John Elias (Harry Connick, Jr. and Don Henley) on saxophone, Robert Muller on keyboard, and Vicente Garcia on harmonica.

Elysé lives and works from her home studio in New Mexico as an oil painter and full-time musician. She is currently a member of two bands; Gary Farmer & the Troublemakers, Nothing But Groove, and her own self-titled band, Elysé.

This year, Elysé signed a deal with Sony Music’s The Orchard to distribute her music worldwide.

The Heat Seekers: Tell us a little bit about yourself?

Elysé: I am a musician and visual artist from Santa Fe, NM. I had the unique experience of living in an old established Santa Fe neighborhood that was full of characters and artists of all realms; sculptors, glass blowers, writers, puppeteers, scientists, and concert pianists to name a few. Our neighborhood was unique in that all of us kids on the street were raised by the whole community and were heavily influenced by their eclecticism and their individual crafts. I discovered art in many different forms from a very early age and attribute my artistic voice to that experience.

THS: Which people or books have had the most influence on your career and why?

Elysé: I am very fortunate to have been presented so many influential people in my life and career, however two people immediately come to mind; Gary Farmer and David Turner. Gary Farmer is a famous Indigenous actor and musician whose career has spanned over four decades. I have recently had the good fortune of being one of his newest members of his band, “Gary Farmer and the Troublemakers.” As an Indigenous actor, he has battled being typecast into stereotypical 19th Century Native American roles of which he has refused to play from his own morals and respect to his culture. I have always admired the fact that he has continually refused to compromise his integrity and vision to make it big in Hollywood. Gary has inspired me to maintain my own artistic integrity. David Turner is my songwriting partner with 40 years in the business as the opening act for everyone from Lynyrd Skynyrd to B.B. King. He has worn many hats in the business from recording, producing, publishing, and engineering to being one of the most soulful and heartfelt guitar players of all time. He is the one person in my life who has gifted to me all his years of trial and error and experimentation as an artist. I am currently going through a major life transition, both personally and musicially. David has been my mentor and teacher through this process and has given and continues to give me every resource available to set me up to succeed. That level of kindess and generoisty is a gift and one to be treasured if you are fortunate enough to find it.

THS: In your opinion, what would you say is the #1 key to success?

Elysé: Passion. You have to love what you do in order to be continually successful and for it to inspire others. Passion gives you the motivation to never allow failure to be an option.

THS: Talk about the biggest failure you’ve had. What did you learn from it?

Elysé: I have always had a propensity towards being naive. I have had a tendency to give all of myself to the wrong people. I have learned that trust and respect has to be earned rather than given. I have learned that you are able to touch so many more lives by expending your energy on those that are able to recieve what it is that you are trying to give.

THS: What advice can you give other individuals who want to follow in your footsteps?

Elysé: My advice would be persistance and taking advantage of every opportunity that comes your way. So often in life we are either impatient to pass the finish line and or scared to succeed. Persistance. Persistance. Persistance.

THS: You have shared the stage with many talented individuals. Please share 1-2 of your favorite stories with us.

Elysé: I have shared so many wonderful experiences with other artists, but one of the most rewarding experiences was in the beginning of my career when I had branched out into the fashion world. We had a benefit for the musicial organization, “Playing for Change.” One of their first publicized videos was a cover of “Stand By Me.” For those that are not familiar with their organization, they are a global nonprofit organization offering creative opportunities for marginalized and at-risk youth. They find musicians from all over the world and have them play a song virtually together. As a proud New Mexican, when the song pans to the Twin Eagle Drum Group from Zuni Pueblo, we had our Native American drummers and flutists play virtually on stage for the organization. The idea that for that one moment, the one thing that unites us all as human beings regardless of our division is music. It is the Universal language and we were making art together as people of the world no one race, creed, or religion. Very beautiful experience.

THS: What does a typical day in your week look like?

Elysé: I wouldn’t classify anything in the life of an artist as “typical.” My life is always changing, it is the nature of my business. My job entails everything from songwriting, photoshoots, marketing and promotion, graphic design, performing, practicing my craft, styling and wardrobe. The list goes on...

THS: What keeps you going when things get tough in the business?

Elysé: I am an Artist. It is a calling not an occupation for me. I have no choice, but to carry on and create.

THS: What is the best advice you have received?

Elysé: Stay true to your own artistic voice. You lose your voice, you lose your passion.

THS: What projects are you currently working on?

Elysé: I have teamed up with my songwriting partner, David Turner and his band “Nothing But Groove” to record my new debut album. This May, we release my first single with Sony Music’s The Orchard. On May 27th and 28th we will have our first public performance in Albuquerque, NM.

THS: What’s your all time favorite album and musician?

Elysé: I am a music appreciator of all kinds. Tough to narrow down to one. Although, I would say that one that has inspired me the most musicially as well as personally is Stevie Ray Vaughan. Casa Allegra, the neighborhood I grew up in Santa Fe had an open space behind our home where the Paolo Soleri Amphitheatre was located. I always credit SRV as the first concert I ever attended. My family and I sat on our porch in amazement. THAT was the moment I knew I wanted to be a guitarist and a musician.

Follow Elysé at: @theycallmeElyse

Booking & Interviews: dave.designprint@gmail.com