Taylor Magazine love finding new talent, especially ladies who are beautiful and driven. So, when we came across Vanessa Elisha we were instantly hooked and needed to know where she came from! The answer? Australia. And guess what genre she sings? R&B. This unique combination has got her making waves across the world and with her already having well over 1 million plays on Soundcloud, she has successfully created an exciting buzz about her and her music. We spoke with her about her musical style, favourite TV show and her highlights as an artist so far.
Taylor: We’ve just heard ‘Down For This’ and absolutely love it! What’s your favourite thing about this song and making it?
Vanessa Elisha: I love the hardness of the beat in juxtaposition to my vocal. There’s something sexy and soft, yet dark and eery about it.
Taylor: For those who haven’t heard of you yet, who is Vanessa Elisha and why is she different?
Vanessa Elisha: Essentially I’m an R&B singer song-writer. I’m different because no one else has my perspective or writing style but me. I’m also a bit weird, so that has always made me different.
Taylor: What’s your sound/musical style like?
Vanessa Elisha: It definitely has its roots in R&B but can venture into different realms of future music. I don’t like to limit myself by genre.
Taylor: How did you get into music?
Vanessa Elisha: I knew that music was what I wanted to do since I can remember. But I can say it took me a while to build the courage to pursue it.
Taylor: Was there ever another career option for you?
Vanessa Elisha: Yeah, I actually went to university and got a degree, but I knew I wouldn’t follow that path. I always had this fear of releasing and performing my music, it consumed me at one point. But I got my degree, put it aside and basically told my family I was going to devote 100% of my time to music from that point on. I was shy, that’s probably what held me back the most, but I told myself to get over it, and I did.
Taylor: Who are you listening to at the moment?
Vanessa Elisha: Missy Elliott’s Supa Dupa Fly album from ’97. When I was younger my brother and I would listen to 90s R&B even though it was past our time, we were too young for it, yet we were drawn heavily towards it. So now I’m revisiting it and appreciating its genius.
Taylor: In your own words, describe where you would want to be in 5 years with your music.
Vanessa Elisha: Hopefully I’ve survived the industry and I’m still doing what I love to do. I definitely want to be in LA, working on an album… maybe my second album and touring the world.
Taylor: How long have you been singing and writing music for?
Vanessa Elisha: I’ve been singing my whole life. The first song I wrote from memory was when I was 7. But I would say I’ve been writing properly for the last few years.
Taylor: Okay, serious stuff now. TV show you can’t stop watching?
Vanessa Elisha: Oooohh damn, I’m a TV addict. Right now I’m re-watching Lost, I actually wrote a legal thesis on it at University that I came across recently – so yeah, I’m nerding out on that at the moment.
Taylor: Favourite thing to eat.
Vanessa Elisha: Chocolate.
Taylor: If you were stuck on an island, what three things would you take with you?
Vanessa Elisha: After watching Lost I’m not trying to be stuck on an island! But… Music, chocolate and Netflix.
Taylor: Even though you’ve already got a great following, this seems like just the beginning for you in terms of your career and what you hope to achieve. What’s the most important thing for you as an artist?
Vanessa Elisha: Yeah definitely just the beginning. I think it’s important to work on things that I genuinely love and never give up that sense of control over my music that I feel now.
Taylor: Social media is huge now and it seems like its been instrumental to your success. What’s your favourite thing about using social media?
Vanessa Elisha: Just to hear that I might have a few “fans” out there is kind of crazy to me. I still find it hard to grasp onto that concept.
Taylor: How much do you use it to connect with fans or for future opportunities for your career?
Vanessa Elisha: I try to reply to everything, I love it and use it as much as I can. Producers usually find me through Twitter, its been the vessel for a lot of collaborations.
Taylor: What’s been the highlight of 2015 for you so far and what do you hope to achieve by the end of the year?
Vanessa Elisha: The highlights have been the release of my first song of the year and putting my live show together. I hope to have 2 EPs out by the end of the year and start my tour – it’s gonna be a big one.
Taylor: Favourite thing about being in the music industry?
Vanessa Elisha: Doing what I love to do.
Taylor: Any negatives/downfalls you’ve experienced or heard about in the industry?
Vanessa Elisha: Not really so far – I’m my worst critic, so as far as the creative process goes, that’s probably the hardest thing right now.
Taylor: What’s been your favourite experience so far as an artist?
Vanessa Elisha: Going to LA and meeting a bunch of inspiring people has probably been the biggest highlight, I’ll be back over there in a couple of months.
Taylor: Lastly, give us some words to live by or your words of wisdom.
Vanessa Elisha: Live your life for you, do what you love, not what you think you’re supposed to do.
