by mariah estran
photo by loz
Singer-songwriter Elena Erin has always been interested in music. She moved to New York and began pursuing music business and her own artistry. During that time, she observed the ruthless nature of the entertainment world. Moments that became self-reflective as she began feeling further from her childhood roots.
Her debut album Holy Tender Artist taps into those stories. “The whole album came from growing up in this really religious family,” she explains. “I think a lot of me felt there was something no longer holy about me. After I had pursued the whole music thing in New York, all my tenderness was gone.”
However, through those times of reflection, the album concisely documents her confidence in empowering lyrical writing. “As I homed in on the craft, who I am starts coming out in the songs,” she says.
Elena Erin took the time to give us more insight into her album. She tells us about her inspirations, working through the pandemic, and the meaning behind specific tracks.
Your track “Almost Famous” describes growing up and pursuing your dream. How has music guided you into figuring out who you are as an individual?
Elena: “I think it was a way to express myself and put my emotions into words. As a kid, I wrote a lot — a lot of which was copying what other artists were doing. As I homed in on the craft, who I am starts coming out in the songs. That happens more and more every year.”
I feel like there’s a reason behind “Almost Famous” being the first track on Holy Tender Artist. Why did you want to open with this song?
Elena: “The whole album came from growing up in this really religious family. I moved to New York and ended up doing music. Throughout my life, what I was pursuing was the music industry and music business. I think a lot of me felt there was something no longer holy about me. After I had pursued the whole music thing in New York, all my tenderness was gone. I had to be badass, cut-throat.
I also questioned my artistry a lot. Sometimes it felt like it didn’t come naturally to me. So, the whole album describes that, and it goes back to my roots growing up. It describes that opening story of where my mindset was at the time and where it is now.”
The album explores vulnerable moments, and it’s tender-pop atmosphere allows that to shine. What were some of your musical inspirations along the way?
Elena: “I think a lot of them would be various singer-songwriters. I’ve always loved Lorde’s writing. She would say things in a way that if you had read it or heard it, you’d be like, ‘That’s not going to work.’ By the tenth time you hear it, you’re like, 'This is such a clever way to do it.'
I grew up with a lot of old country music. I’ve always loved that type of storytelling. I feel like there’s been a surge of singers-songwriters that are raw and honest in their writing. Someone I like lately is Julia Wolf. I got a lot of inspiration from saying what’s on my mind without worrying about how it will be perceived or if the story is being told right.”
You wrote most of these songs during the pandemic. Would you say those secluded times aided your songwriting and creativity?
Elena: “It’s the reason I was able to write such good music. I think it’s the best music I’ve written in my life thus far. It was the first time I could stay home for a week straight and work on music.
I’d wake up early in the morning and be nonstop all day — writing and writing. There were no social distractions or anything to distract me at all. I found it very empowering and creative.”
What song on the album is your favorite?
Elena: “There is a song called ‘Mayhem World.’ I think that’s my favorite because it’s been with me the longest. I wrote it pre-pandemic, it describes me and the person I was seeing. It felt like we were so perfect for each other but jaded by the world and had all these different masks on.
The whole idea of ‘Mayhem World’ was that there's so much mayhem in the world that it destroyed us. That one feels very dramatic — it has a depth to it that I like.”
How’s the story going to be shown in the music video?
Elena: “I’ve done some videos that have storylines and everything. I wanted to express these stories in small intimate ways, verses showing the whole story played out. Which is why ‘Almost Famous’ is made in my bedroom — that’s the landscape I would be in.
This one is set in a bar in London. One of the lines of the song is: ‘Nobody knows what it’s like to hold me closer, nobody knows what it’s like to hold you closer.’ Me pining after this person, but also knowing that this would never work.
So, I walk into a bar, order a whiskey, and I sit there on my phone, singing this song as I process all these emotions as they are happening. Then when I’m done drinking my whiskey, I leave and walk out.
It’s like you’re sitting there, experiencing the feelings in the song with me.”
What can we expect from you next?
Elena: “I have another visual for ‘Für Elise”’ coming out. Then I have a Christmas song I wrote last year that I like. So, I’m going to try to get it produced and out for Christmas this year. Hopefully, we’ll have an Elena Christmas track.”