Conversations with Elysia Way

Today, we’d like to introduce you to Elysia Way.

Hi Elysia, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My name is Elysia (E-leesh-uh) Way, I’m 24 years old, and I grew up in Colchester, Vermont. There’s a lot that comes to mind when I think about my story.

One thing I know for certain is that music has always been at the center of it. I remember we would always order take-out the nights my dad had band practice growing up. I also remember always wanting to go. Watching him play drums with his band definitely influenced my love for music. As well as Hannah Montana, of course.

I started taking guitar, piano, and voice lessons when I was 11 years old at a family-owned music store called The Contois School of Music. I was soon asked to join the C.S.M. band, a cover band made up of both VT professionals and students, in an effort to promote music education.

Now, it was me who had band practice and music lessons multiple times a week. From 2012-2017, I performed with the CSM band all around the state at events, concerts, and even weddings. It was a unique experience, that provided an immense amount of opportunity for a young girl with big dreams living in a small state.

Throughout grade school I remember days I would watch the clock, waiting for the bell to ring so I could go home and finish a song I was writing. That feeling is part of the reason I knew I’d end up pursuing music in some form or fashion. Going to college was always a part of my plan, but I didn’t necessarily want to study music. I discovered the music business program at CU Denver during my junior year of high school, and from that moment on, I had a gut feeling it was the path I was meant to follow.

In 2018, I graduated high school and promptly relocated to Denver to begin my studies in the music business. It was here that I delved into recording and producing my own music, specifically discovering my love for intricate vocal arrangements. November 2018 marked the release of my debut single, “Show Me Your Mind,” followed by my first EP, “Sincerely,” in March 2020.

My relationship with my first EP is complex, but I appreciate how it played a pivotal role in honing my artistic identity. After its release, I took a step back and began engaging in collaborations with producers and artists nationwide to continue experimenting with my sound.

I graduated from CU Denver in May of 2022 with a B.S. in music business, and ever since, I’ve been building my own little life here in Denver. I think a lot about my own definition of success and how I’m already living so many dreams I once had back in VT. I like to think working full-time as a store manager and staying up all night making music is just me living the best of both worlds. My most recent song, “Aimless”, dropped in February and acts as the lead single off my upcoming sophomore EP.

We all face challenges, but would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Like many creatives, my journey hasn’t been the smoothest. The decision to pursue music and relocate to Denver was a huge obstacle. It wasn’t just an emotional challenge but also a financial one, as it meant turning down a full-ride scholarship to the University of Vermont and shouldering a considerable amount of debt. However, it was a crucial step towards following my passion and discovering my purpose.

I encountered numerous personal challenges growing up, yet it wasn’t until I distanced myself by over 1000 miles that I truly grasped their profound effect on my mental health. Come to find out, this is a pretty common experience for individuals with PTSD, which I was formally diagnosed with within the early months of 2019. There are definitely some heavier topics and stories from my life that I will eventually dive a bit deeper into through my music.

I tend to lean on the optimistic side and strive to view any obstacle thrown my way as an opportunity for growth. I truly appreciate the hardships I’ve faced as being integral to my own artistic journey and for strengthening the bond I have with music.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar with what you do, what can you tell them about what you do?
Over the past five years, I’ve worked extremely hard to get to a place where I don’t need to rely on anyone to release my own music. Up until 2018, I was used to being in a band and being surrounded by helping hands, so much so that I vividly remember having this “wow, so this is really all in my hands now” moment at the start of my freshmen year. It was a scary thought but a very motivating one.

While I studied the ins and outs of the music industry in college, I was teaching myself how to record my own vocals, as well as produce and mix my own music. We may not hear as many horror stories as we once did regarding an artist signing a bad contract with a record label, but it still happens, and it is why I have put a lot of work into gaining the skills and knowledge necessary for me to maintain creative control over my music career.

I am currently wrapping up my sophomore project, Aimless, as well as some super unique music I’ve been making with my dad’s band, now called ERTH. All will be available on streaming later this year.

We’d love to hear what you think about risk-taking.
This is going to sound incredibly corny, but I think following your dream is always a risk worth taking.

I think a lot of people, if put in my position, would have chosen the full-ride scholarship over going to the school that offered them little to nothing yet aligned with their dreams. I don’t necessarily blame them, as it can be extremely hard to not let external factors, such as money, relationships, or societal norms get in the way and influence your direction in life.

I suppose I see it as; I’ve got one life, and in the grand scheme of things, a very short window of opportunity to follow the dreams I have. There is no question I’ll take whatever risks come my way if it means continuing to follow a path of authenticity.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.elysiaway.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elysia.way/?img_index=1
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/elysiawaymusic
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Elysiawaymusic
• Other: https://songwhip.com/elysiaway/aimless