Photos & Written by: Orchee Sorker | July 17, 2024 | Nashville, TN
In the heart of Nashville, where the sound of music fills the air, Meg Elsier's journey as an indie-rock artist shows the city's vibrant and supportive indie/DIY scene. From her early days in Massachusetts, Meg's path to music was paved with a diverse array of instruments, from piano to flute, and eventually, the guitar. In high school, she realized her true calling was in music, a realization that was catalyzed by her experiences in the school's jazz band and musical theater productions. These formative experiences were pivotal in shaping Meg's growth as a performer. They provided her with the opportunity to confront and eventually overcome her stage fright, a common hurdle for many aspiring artists. Meg's advice to those struggling with similar fears is both practical and encouraging: "I spent so many years waiting to perform until it wasn't scary anymore and that just didn't happen for me. I think the only advice I really have is that it doesn't get less scary, but it gets easier and becomes more fulfilling and worth it."
Meg's debut album, "spittake," is a deeply personal project that showcases her evolution as an artist. The journey of creating the album was filled with self-discovery and the expansion of her musical vocabulary. The process of writing and demoing the songs herself was a revelatory experience, with moments of clarity and connection that she describes as "the one time in my life that I feel everything click into place." The challenges faced during the album's creation, such as the physical demands of working with aerial silks for the "iznotreal" video, were balanced by the joy of collaborating with close friends to bring her musical worlds to life. The result is an album that not only reflects Meg's growth but also invites listeners into her unique sonic landscape.
Meg's live shows are a dynamic blend of emotional intensity and fun, a reflection of her desire to connect with her audience on a deep level. Meg reflects on the emotional exposure that comes with sharing her art. Her hope for her audience is that they feel understood and not alone, that they are energized and moved by the experience. She wants her shows to be memorable, leaving a lasting impact that resonates long after the final note has been played. "I want people at my shows to join me where I am and hopefully all connect. I want them to feel understood and not alone. I want them to feel in their bodies and just move or feel whatever pops up for them. I want them to feel energized enough after my show to go out to a second location, you know? I want it to be one of those shows where you leave really feeling something!"
Fashion and visual art play a significant role in Meg's artistic expression, serving as an extension of her music and performances. They allow her to convey her artistic vision in a multifaceted way, complementing her music with visual narratives that reflect her inner world. Fashion, in particular, helps Meg to express complex emotions and thoughts, providing a visual language that can communicate feelings that words sometimes cannot. "I’m an incredibly visual person just in general. I feel like I can see a lot more factors in music than necessarily hearing them. I can see the scenes in my head when I write a song, or I can envision and remember a scenario that helps me actually figure out what I was feeling. I feel like I can express so many things through visuals and fashion."
Through her music, performances, and visual art, she continues to carve out her unique space, inviting listeners into her world with open arms.
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