With a folk-rock sound that takes on an extra edge live, Elle Kay is a Nashville-based singer-songwriter from Washington, DC.
Her 2022 EP, “hi my name is,” spins musical stories about enduring friendships, a life’s romance lived in one night, and the influence of John Lennon in her own music journey.
Elle is a classically trained vocalist majoring in songwriting at Belmont University. She loves and is heavily influenced by Fleetwood Mac and iconic singer-songwriter, Joni Mitchell.
Get to Know Elle Kay
Describe one of your earliest musical memories in detail:
One of my earliest musical memories is deciding to sing by myself at my 4th grade talent show. At the time, I had a huge crush on this boy in my class and I decided that the best way to express that emotion without having to tell him was to sing “Teardrops on My Guitar” by Taylor Swift in front of the whole class. This moment solidified music as my primary form of emotional expression.
What are your top 3 all-time favorite albums and why?
My top three albums are “Rumors” by Fleetwood Mac, “Tea for the Tillerman” by Cat Stevens, and “Blue” by Joni Mitchell. I love these three albums in particular because they all tell awesome stories in a really beautiful way. As a songwriter, I gravitate to beautiful poetry, and these three albums are full of it.
Name a song of yours that you love and tell us what makes it special:
One song of mine that is special to me is “Imagine That“, written with Nicci Funicelli and Shayon Daniels about the life, legacy, and assassination of John Lennon. We were so excited about the idea of getting into John’s head and writing from his imagined perspective. The energy in the room was magical.
What’s one of the most memorable moments in your career thus far?
My first headlining show in Nashville at The Well Coffee House. This show was exciting because the lineup included close friends of mine, and it was such a beautiful experience to perform with and for some of my best friends. Music is a vulnerable thing; it was special for me to perform the emotional melodies of my heart in such a supportive and loving environment.
Is there anything left on your bucket list as an artist?
As far as I’m concerned, the journey has just begun. I strive to continue to find a community of music lovers who find comfort and solace in the stories I tell, and embrace life’s highest highs and lowest lows together as real people.