Elisia Savoca: an Urban Pop Artist with an Alternative Twist

At NYGal, we love discovering new artists and sharing them with our readers. Our latest discovery is Elisia Savoca; a talented musician with ambition and hustle. Of course, after hearing her songs, we wanted to know more about her, so Elisia agreed to give us the 411 on her career, her music, and lend us a little insight on how she got to where she is now.

I was about 12-years-old and my neighbors started getting into bands and playing shows and I thought it was so cool. After that, I took my first voice lesson at Rock and Roll San Diego. I then joined camps that would put bands together. I became so happy and people started to notice me as a musician; that’s when I knew I wanted to be in music.

I remember once I started to jam with people I learned about my writing ability; I could just come up with things on the spot. People were like, ” oh shit you can do that?” and I was like, “hella ya”. I definitely learned how to freestyle.

I love that music can make you feel like you can reinvent yourself anytime you want; it’s pretty crazy. There’s something about music. I was always connected to it. My grandpa on my dad’s side figured out I could sing when I was 3, just before he died. He would always turn the music all the way up and turn it down when I was singing and try to embarrass me. But, my dad and mom are the ones who introduced me to the greats: Led Zeppelin, AC/DC, Stevie Nicks, Fleetwood Mac, Elton John, The Beach Boys, etc.

Yes, I have a notebook that I write my thoughts in and use some of those in my songs. I take a lot from my high school experience and drama.

But, not going to lie-  I take a lot from past relationships because I went through the ringer with that love stuff and I feel like young girls my age need to be heard and understood.

I hate the feeling of not being able to feel heard. People shouldn’t be shut down or ignored. People have the right to express yourself in any way they’d like.

My biggest inspiration is probably Logic. He taught me rhythm and cadence within my vocal structure and also influenced my writing. He taught me to write a story and paint a picture. Just the way he is as a person is so inspiring to me. He flew out 20 fans to listen to his unreleased album, and I thought that’s so amazing. I love that dude he’s a legend.

Amy Winehouse is also a big inspiration for me. I remember my mom showed me her when we were coming back from a trip and she was like,  “you should cover her.  You sound just like her.” Then when I checked her out and I was like, “wow, she is awesome”. She’s definitely someone I aspire to be musically because she was just so organic, which is rare. I feel like we don’t have a lot of organic artists nowadays because it’s all about who you know or money, which I don’t like.

Urban pop with an alternative twist. My next project is definitely that and I’m so excited to release it. I came from a jazz, pop punk, classic rock, and pop background. I was in many bands so I learned a lot from them and they definitely directed me and tapered my sounds. I would always have practice with this one band I used to be in and we would always jam after our practice and I felt like that’s how I definitely found who I was as an artist. Going to a jam session and coming up with stuff on the spot is how I figured out I was doing the right genre. And also the fact that I liked what I was doing; which is important.

Be different and don’t sign any sketchy contracts. I’ve had my fair share of sneaky contracts and people trying to change me. But, when I look at the business today, I don’t think it’s really like that anymore. People want to see the real you; they don’t want any phony.

Another thing is to find your management team and core group and just start working. You really have to work hard to get where you want to be. Once you work hard, you will succeed. I’ve been around the block with almost getting fucked over with people in the business, so you really have to keep your guard up and don’t hold back. Protect yourself from everything. If someone offers you a contract, get a lawyer.

Also, don’t let anyone pressure you into doing anything. YOU ARE YOUR OWN PERSON- remember that! If someone isn’t supporting your artistry then they aren’t the person for you. You might need a sense of direction in this business, but it doesn’t mean you need to change who you are.

I used to be in this band and I remember going somewhere and someone was like, “hey your Elisia right?” and I was like, “yeah,” and they said, “oh, I know you from playing that show,” and I thought it was awesome that someone actually recognized me. I want people to know that if you know me, approach me; let’s be friends!

Another interaction was online; this fan was talking to me about how he wanted to start making music and I thought that was amazing. He told me how he doesn’t know how to write songs and I taught him everything I knew and it made me happy that I could help someone out.

Circles is really cool because the producer and I had no idea that it would end up being released. I remember getting in the booth and writing all these melodies and it’s funny because at first, we had the mindset to make a pop song and usually when you say that it doesn’t happen. But, we were just so happy after writing it. I remember showing it my mom and she was like, “oh my god, you guys, this is crazy!” And we were like, “we know!”

Lose it was another fun song to write, but also the hardest because we couldn’t figure out a chorus for the longest time. I remember being in the studio with the producer I was working with and we were just so happy to finish the song.

Touch the Sky was also fun because I felt like I got a lot out and that I just wanted to get out- if that makes sense. The story is that I went on a date with this guy and he was just a total asshole, but I loved that for some reason. It was a weird situation and I talked to my friends about it and they went through the same thing, so then I just wrote a song about it.

Going on stage and playing to a sea of people.

Also playing new music to my friends and family and seeing their reaction; I remember showing my uncle a song I recently did and how happy he was. I want to make people feel things; that’s my goal.

Another thing would probably be getting into deep conversations with other musicians about music and just bonding on a spiritual level. Also jamming with people is so fun, oh my god, literally the best. I remember when me and my ex broke-up I just hit up my jam buddies and it made me forget about everything.

Dancing Queen by ABBA because it reminds me of when I was younger listening ABBA with my mom; it brings me to tears every time. My mom and dad tell me all the time that when I was little I used to cry whenever I would hear a beautiful song.

I cry to Logics Everybody album too; it’s just so amazing. I remember sitting in my room with the lights off listening to Logics album and crying because I felt like I was there; like I was transported to another world.

Another song that strikes me is Wild Have To Be 911 by Tyler the Creator. This song to me is like everything because sometimes people just won’t hit you up and you will feel lonely, but Tyler was trying to say in this song that it’s normal and I think that’s amazing in every aspect. Something that people might think is weird and turning it into a positive is awesome.

Paramore, Tyler the creator, Logic, Lady Gaga, GweStefanini, Amy Winehouse, Kendrick Lamar, Rejjie Snow, SZA, The Police, Sublime, No Doubt, Beyoncé and Queen.

But, honestly, people inspire me every day. We feel something every day and these artists listed are the ones that make me explore that feeling. Like, when I’m feeling sad I listen to Paramore because I can really get my angst out. And when I’m feeling like I want to write something, I listen to all of the people listed but most of all Logic, Lady Gaga, and SZA. When I’m feeling happy I listen to Tyler the Creator because he’s such a good soul and he’s really dope.

I see art as soul food. I’ve noticed a lot over the year about how music influences everything you do; like you might be listening to a song and not even notice the lyrics, but I swear if you start really listening to them they will probably relate to your current situation. Music is literal magic. Every time I’m in a situation or I don’t know what to say to someone I just send them a song and they totally get it.