The wonders of a cover track never cease to amaze. Giving beloved classics a new face as they are dragged into alternative genres and subjected to different tempos, voices and more, the track’s hope to excite listeners and pay homage to renowned artists simultaneously. And, one artist that proved all of the above is Elise LeGrow, who made a name for herself by effortlessly covering the work of others. But now, looking to lend her soulful tone and powerhouse vocals to a project packed full of tracks that masterfully portray her personal narrative, Elise unveils her new album, Grateful.
“My first album was composed entirely of cover songs, so Grateful is radically different in that these are my stories and my melodies,” explains Elise when speaking on her new album. “I feel liberated, and more myself on this album than ever before. The productions are also a lot more modern, featuring sampled drums, synths and vocal effects that I haven’t played with in the past.”
Upon the release of her latest project, the artist got candid with Wonderland on how her childhood spent in Toronto impacted her sound and her hopes for the future of live music. Head below to enjoy our interview with Elise LeGrow…
Hey Elise, how are you? How has 2021 been for you?
I’m doing well! I’ve had a lot of positivity in 2021! I moved into a new apartment in a new city, I’ve spent lots of time with friends and family, and I’m very excited about my new album!
A lot of artists were impacted by the pandemic, was your creativity affected?
Definitely. The pandemic caused me a lot of grief with tours cancelled and recording postponed. For a long time, I couldn’t see the light at the end of the tunnel, and it’s hard for me to feel inspired when I’m depressed, so I wasn’t doing a lot of creative work at the beginning. But eventually, I dusted myself off and got back to work!
How did you first get into music, what sparked the interest?
My mum says I began singing as a toddler. There is music in my blood – my grandfather was a jazz musician, as is my uncle to this day. I spent my childhood binging on 90s pop radio and my mother’s old rock, soul and RnB records. I think all those influences are evident in my songwriting.
Where are you from? Do you think your hometown impacted your sound in any way?
I’m from Toronto. Detroit is just down the road from us, and the Motown sound has influenced me greatly. The Martha Reeves and the Vandellas anthology is by far my most played LP.
Now you’re about to drop your second project Grateful, talk us through your mindset approaching this project?
My plans for Grateful were completely upended by the pandemic. We were supposed to be in the studio with my band in May 2020, and the album was released in September last year. But life is unpredictable, and plans have to change, and you just keep going. The whole process has made me a more patient and optimistic person. I intend to bring those mindsets into the next stages – releasing, promoting and touring the album – all of which present distinct opportunities and challenges in 2021 / 2022.
How do you think it differs from your first?
My first album was composed entirely of cover songs, so Grateful is radically different in that these are my stories and my melodies. I feel liberated, and more myself on this album than ever before. The productions are also a lot more modern, featuring sampled drums, synths and vocal effects that I haven’t played with in the past.
