KMC recently attended rising singer/songwriter, Ella Galvin’s first NYC solo gig at The Bowery Electric. Now we have the opportunity to chat with her about her experience launching a career in the music industry. Ella is planning on releasing her very own single in the next upcoming months so be sure to be on the lookout!
Q: How did you get started in music?
EG: My family had a piano in our house growing up so it was kind of always a thing incorporated
into my life. There are pictures of me playing piano that I definitely do not remember so I got
started very young I guess lol. I would always sing along to songs but my first memory of
singing was in elementary school. We would have a talent show every St Patricks day & I
remember consistently singing Hannah Montana/Miley Cyrus songs ever year. Parents told me I
was good so I just continued I guess. My passion of music & performing really reached a new
level when I joined a band in high school.
Q: How would you describe your sound?
EG: I would describe it as Jazz, Pop, Soul but I am definitely still experimenting. I think it’s
something I will figure out as I learn more about music production.
Q: What is it about music that makes you feel passionate?
EG: I love the way that people connect to music so individually. It reaches you when you need it most
& you can fall in love with a song or artist because you connect to it so much. I’m passionate
about how music makes people feel and love the fact that everyone interprets songs differently.
Q: What artists influenced you and your music style the most?
EG: Amy Winehouse and Stevie Wonder are probably my biggest influences. I’ve also always loved
Lady Gaga & the way she has gone back and forth with jazz and pop styles. There are jazz songs,
pop songs, singer songwriter songs & disco music on my Spotify profile so who really knows
lol!
Q: If you could open a show for any artist who would it be?
EG: I feel like its hard to say since I’m still figuring out my sound! But I love Remi wolf.
Q: Do you have any pre-performance rituals to get rid of nerves (if you get any)?
EG: Not really! I just make sure I feel good about how much I’ve rehearsed & feel confident in what
I’m wearing so I can really perform my best. I am also Buddhist & will chant before shows 🙂 —
I’ve been having some crazy migraines lately too so I’ve gone back to drinking Pedialyte & on
Thursday one of my bandmates said “I don’t know if I’ve ever seen you without a Pedialyte” so
maybe that has become a performance ritual hahah.
Q: Describe your creative process when you write new music.
EG: I’ll usually start with a phrase of lyrics and build off of whatever that phrase is about. If I get
stuck I will journal & just think more about the subject of the song. Challenging myself to fully
finish more songs though – getting past writing a verse and chorus is sometimes tough for me
especially since I have limited time working a 9-5.
Q: What is your favorite song you have released and why?
EG: So hard to say but I think my favorite release has been the Beatles Sessions album I sang on.
Recording music is often really stressful but recording this was such a fun process & I felt like I
could really try anything with my voice; at some point on the album I’m singing in a super low
male-sounding opera voice. It also was just so fun recording with such experienced artists who
are now close friends of mine <3
Q: What is your main goal in your music career?
EG: I really just love love love to perform and have fun dancing to the music stage – so cliche but I
feel like I am meant to be there when I am performing. It just feels right I guess.
Q: What’s the biggest highlight of your career thus far?
EG: Playing my first solo gig! Seeing my name on the bill is really really REALLY rewarding after
being a part of different bands & having to compromise on song choices or writing styles.
Q: Who are your favorite artists/bands right now?
EG: Remi Wolf, Lizzy McAlpine, Dominic Fike & just became a big fan of John Batiste. My friends
are all huge Harry Styles fans too so I guess I kind of became one.
Even though a lot of pop music comes down to a very simple 4 chords when stripped of
production, it is easy to listen to and enjoyable. Listening to those songs and playing them on
guitar or piano myself helps me become a better songwriter – I just have to work on the music
production part!
Q: What is your dream venue to perform at?
EG: I would love to play Webster Hall. I have seen a lot of my favorite artists there so it has a really
special place in my heart.
Q: What’s your motto or some advice that you live by?
EG: I’m a huge fan of manifestation and goal setting so I really believe in the fact that you can do
anything if you believe in yourself. Hard work & opportunity will meet at the right time 🙂
Q: How do you balance your music with your other obligations?
EG: This is something I struggle with a lot. Working a 9-5 makes it really hard for me have energy
left for thinking super creatively. I have been waking up at 7am during the week though so that I
have two hours to myself to journal & be creative 🙂
Q: Do you have any social issues that you’re passionate about?
EG: Definitely DEFINITELY not happy with the recent abortion situation & will never understand
the purpose of guns being legal.
Q: If you could change anything about the industry, what would it be?
EG: Well I wish learning music production wasn’t so complex hahaha but I think it is really important
to pay artists more; Spotify only pays artists $0.006 per stream. The cost of recording a song &
producing it to a level that is professional costs hundreds of dollars & a lot of the time artists are
struggling to pay those costs on top of everything else. Sometimes I wish I could just quit my job
and work on music but that unfortunately isn’t fiscally possible for me right now.
Q: Do you have any advice for someone wanting to start a career in music?
EG: I would say just try to get as much exposure as possible & ask for help from others in the music
world. Posting on every social media platform you can is important for exposure & I should
probably take my own advice and do that too haha – but reach out to people; reach out to music
journalists, reach out to photographers, reach out to producers & instrumentalists because you
will always learn something from them – even if its that you don’t want to work with them,
you’re better songwriting alone etc.
Q: What would you tell someone who’s struggling with their mental health?
EG: I would say, if a task takes less than 10 minutes, do it. Doing small tasks sometimes I make to do
lists of things I absolutely have to/will do; like eating lunch, making my bed, completing the
work day, attending a meeting etc. It feels good to cross things off & slowly builds your
confidence if you are having doubts in yourself.
