Elyse Miller

Photo by Joe Vajgrt

How did you get started with all this??
I've been singing since I was a very little child, have always loved to sing, and I have a very musical family. My Dad fronted a band during most of childhood, so of course that inspired my dream of being a singer. I began writing poetry at an early age, perhaps 7 years old, and wrote my first song at roughly age 9. Around age 12 my dad started teaching me guitar. The original music I play now was mostly written in the past five years. Along the way I've had a few piano lessons and a plethora of excellent choir teachers.

What's the message you want to transmit with your music??
Let's all take care of each other and treat everyone nice. Non-violence. Non-discrimination. Down with sexism. Up with love. Up with tolerance. Take responsibility, embrace diversity, look after the environment. I want to make people think about things. I want to highlight how we can change the world to make it better.

What's your method at the time of writing a song??
I use varied approaches. Sometimes I have words first with a melody already set in mind. Sometimes it's just a chord progression I like and I'll start saying random thoughts over that to see what ideas fit the music. Usually I don't try to write about a specific thing. I just try to get out of the way and let the song write itself. That's the most fun.

What are your music influences??
John Mayer, my dad, Leslie Feist, Alanis Morissette, Death Cab for Cutie, Peggy Lee, Liz Phair, John Denver, Cat Stevens, Shania Twain, James Blunt, Linda Perry, Elton John, Iron and Wine, Tori Amos, Ani Di Franco

What plans do you have for the future??
I'll be releasing my second CD in October/November of this year. I'm also working on putting together a band for a new project.

Which has been the funniest prank you have experienced or took part in while on tour or after a show??
I am prankless.

If you were stranded in the middle of nowhere after a show or while on tour. The help is 65 miles away from where you and your band (If any) are, ¿Who would you send to look for help? And if while the rest wait, there's no food and the only way to feed yourself is by eating each other, ¿Who would you eat first?
We would all stick together. I really can't imagine eating anyone.

Which country you would love to play?
I'd love to play Australia because many of my favorite musicians are from there. Also, it would be a great reason to see the country.

With which bands you would love to share stage??
I would love to share the stage with all of the bands listed above and many more, I'm sure, of which I am not yet aware.

Are you OK, with the direction the band is going actually?
Yes, I feel like I am making good progress. Slow, but good. I am also very excited to branch out with the addition of new band members.

Check out more from Elyse Miller by going to: http://www.myspace.com/elysemillermusic