Meet Elica Atienza

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Elica Atienza. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Elica below.

Elica, so great to have you with us and thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts with the community. So, let’s jump into something that stops so many people from going after their dreams – haters, nay-sayers, etc. We’d love to hear about how you dealt with that and persisted on your path.

Between switching majors, rebuilding my confidence, and stepping into the music industry with my younger brother, Elsian, I realized that people will always have something to say, especially when you’re doing something different.

At the beginning of Elsian’s music career, we were really building everything from the ground up. There was a lot of outside noise, but at the end of the day, those people weren’t there during 3am studio sessions, long nights planning shows, or times when we had to push through setbacks. So when milestones happen, like signing with 88rising or selling out headline shows, they feel meaningful not because they prove anyone wrong, but because we know exactly how much work, intention, and heart it took to reach them.

A lot of my persistence comes from grounding myself in my own growth. I’ve lived through moments where I felt completely unsure of my path and have questioned myself more times than I can count. What keeps me going is remembering why I’m doing all of this. I’ve seen firsthand how much joy and purpose comes from betting on yourself and the people you love. The wins, big and small, will always matter more than any negative comment. I’m focused on becoming the version of myself that my younger self needed, someone who dreams big, takes risks, and keeps moving even when life gets heavy.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

My name is Elica and I am from Oak Harbor, Washington. I graduated from the University of Washington in 2024 with a Bachelor of Science in Health Informatics & Health Information Management, and along the way, I also built a career in the music industry.

I manage my younger brother, Elsian (LCN!), and together we’ve grown his journey from small local shows to signing with 88rising, selling out headline concerts, and now touring across the world. Being part of something from the ground up, shaping his vision, coordinating shows, building partnerships, and creating opportunities that once felt impossible, has been a very meaningful part of my life.

Outside of music, I am passionate about the intersection of technology and healthcare. I hope to one day take that curiosity even further and work for a company like NASA. I’ve always had an interest in space, and the idea of combining my analytical background with something as limitless as space exploration feels incredibly rewarding. I love the idea of having more than one path and allowing my career to evolve and expand as I do.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

Adaptability was essential when I shifted from nursing to health informatics, and later when I stepped into the music industry. Life doesn’t always follow a straight plan, and being open to change allowed me to explore opportunities I never even knew existed. My advice is to not be afraid to pivot. If something no longer aligns with who you’re becoming, give yourself permission to adjust.

Initiative also played a huge role. Whether it was researching new majors, reaching out to advisors, or planning shows, so much of my growth happened because I was willing to try first and figure things out along the way. I learned that you grow the most by doing, and not by waiting for the “perfect timing.”

Lastly, resilience is what carried me through the harder moments. Feeling lost during my early college years, navigating challenges of the music industry, and working through personal setbacks all taught me something and pushed me closer to where I needed to be. I’ve learned that difficult moments aren’t a sign to stop, they’re a chance to pause, regroup, and reconnect with the bigger picture.

At the end of the day, your journey doesn’t have to be traditional or linear. The best thing you can do is stay curious, stay open, and trust that every step is shaping who you’re becoming.

Do you think it’s better to go all in on our strengths or to try to be more well-rounded by investing effort on improving areas you aren’t as strong in?

There is value in both, but I personally believe you should go all in on your strengths while still being aware enough to improve the areas that could hold you back.

When I switched majors in college and later stepped into the music industry, I learned quickly that my strengths — communication, organization, and taking initiative, helped move me forward. Those qualities pushed me to reach out to advisors, build relationships in the music world, and coordinate shows and opportunities for my brother. When I poured energy into the things I was naturally good at, doors opened that I never expected.

At the same time, I acknowledged areas where I wasn’t as strong. For example, when I first started managing Elsian, I balanced school, work, life, and helping with his career. Little by little, I learned to delegate, ask for help, and come up with ways to make things more manageable. I’m still learning, but that growth has made a huge difference in how I show up myself and my work.

I’ve learned that it’s best to lead with your strengths and build just enough skill in your weaker areas. When you lean into what you’re naturally good at, you grow faster and with more confidence. When you face the parts that challenge you, even just a little, you expand your capacity.

That balance is what shaped my journey, knowing my strengths, being honest about where I’m still learning, and giving myself permission to grow in both directions.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://instagram.com/elica.sa
• Linkedin: https://linkedin.com/in/elicaatienza
• Other: LCN! Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/artist/3ZJgVLQXKogqP64D9c7ULt?si=TKlUOKNHR9uqNCY1H-WGPQ

Image Credits

Casiano Atienza