Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Elaina DeVoss. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Elaina, so many exciting things to discuss, we can’t wait. Thanks for joining us and we appreciate you sharing your wisdom with our readers. So, maybe we can start by discussing optimism and where your optimism comes from?
I think I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t naturally bubbly and optimistic. It’s ingrained in me. Life can definitely get hard, and I’ve had my fair share of difficulties. I’d say the biggest thing for my optimism is that for the last 4 years I’ve been really focusing on gratitude. On days where I don’t feel best, I make sure to be extra thankful; for things like the sun, my job, my health, and my cats. I also listen to a playlist daily that is full of positive vibes and affirmations, those songs then get stuck in my head. Then I’m left walking around for the rest of the day singing about how I am worthy, or how money comes easily and frequently. I also know that God never gives you anything that you can’t handle. I think about how the struggle that I’m going through currently, God is trying to prepare me for an even bigger battle ahead. It’s safe to say I’ve been looking inward and upward the last few years, and the outcome of that is a great sense of optimism. My mom always said, I can do anything if I set my mind to it.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
I’ve always been interested in music since I was a little girl. I remember getting a karaoke machine one Christmas and standing out on the deck for hours singing to my cat. I’d sing at the fair, put on concerts for my family, and when I was in the seventh grade I won a talent show. I even beat out an eighth grader which was a big accomplishment for me at that time.
I taught myself to play the guitar by looking up chords for songs I knew how to sing. The first two songs I ever learned on guitar were “The Only Exception” by Paramore and “I Will Always Love You” by Whitney Houston. Then I started building my cover catalog. I’d sing at a few open mic nights and dabbled with trying to write songs, but never really took it seriously until 4 years ago. Like most songwriters, heartbreak was the driving force that propelled me into songwriting. I was heartbroken, and writing it out in the most honest and vulnerable way was my only catharsis.
I had written the first song I ever felt proud of, and not only that but I felt like I was able to finally express myself. There was something soothing about having a finished product that exactly explained what I was feeling. While it took about 4 hours to write the song, it would be 4 years later that I finally released it to the public.
The last time I did one of these interviews, I spoke about how my single was coming out very soon. Not only was I not ready then, I just wasn’t even really inspired to release music when I knew I wasn’t working on it. I had gotten a new job, and really focused a lot of my time the last few years trying to get a handle on that. But I can finally say that my first single, “Heart So Black” is on all streaming platforms. It came out on October 1st, and I couldn’t be more proud of finally having something to showcase myself. It means even more to me how close I hold the song to my heart. I hope you like it as much as I do.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
My advice for the people just starting out their journey is to keep at it and keep practicing. I am always learning new things and getting better at my craft because I am constantly singing and playing my guitar. Practice makes perfect.
As far as skills or qualities that have helped me on my journey, I’d say one of the things that helped me out the most was my work ethic. I’m a pretty hard worker, when I want to be. So when I practice or write its for hours at a time. I usually record my practice sessions too, that way I have a visual log of the progress I’m making. That really helps on days when I’m frustrated and feeling stuck, because I can go back and look at how far I’ve come.
When it comes to emotions, its safe to say I have a lot of them. My sign is a cancer after all. Being an emotional person hasn’t always been that helpful in the past. It has some perks, but its also gotten me into a lot of trouble. A benefit that I never saw coming when I started focusing on my inner self was that over time (and some therapy) I became in tune with my emotions. I am able to understand my emotions and unpack the root of them much quicker. I feel like being in tune with your emotions is essential when you’re the kind of songwriter I am.
I would say that I’ve developed a thick skin over the years. Coming into my own voice and being vulnerable in my music has really helped with that. At the end of the day haters are gonna hate, so you just gotta be the best version of yourself you can be. That sounds corny, but its true. One of my affirmations is “the version of me other people create in their minds is not my responsibility.” You can only change your actions, not how people perceive them. So go on living your best life!
Is there a particular challenge you are currently facing?
The number one challenge I am facing right now is fear. Fear of failure and fear of rejection, I think those fears come naturally when you are the one sharing your feelings all the time. Everyone wants to fit in and be accepted. The same goes for artists, I am literally putting myself out there for you in the rawest form and hoping that you’ll like it. There’s a little voice in the back of my head that sometimes pops up and tells me I’m not good enough. The only way I can counter that is to keep going. Keep pushing, and keep telling myself that I’m loved and successful. I also remind myself that’s the devil talking and God only wants me to succeed. You just gotta sit yourself down give yourself a little pep talk.
I am working on a project right now that I’m pretty sure goes against all of the things that the music industry wants from an artist. But I’ve never been one to be put in a box. It could be the worst idea ever had, or it could be the best idea ever that puts me on the map. That is pretty scary to think. But the thing is, I’ll never know unless I try.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eeelaynuh/
Image Credits
Dakari Shea Gregory Hennessy Ranee Vespi Heather Dichirico
