Elyse Haren is a one-woman army and the music behind the Aftermath. Their self-titled debut album was recorded on a shoe-string budget, sheer passion and determination. Mixed by Mark Needham (The Killers, Fleetwood Mac, Green Day), the Aftermath is now finely-tuned and available on iTunes. The press had this to say about Elyse: ”Armed with her distinctive vocals and unique knack for melody, she lets her passionate, musical spirit shine in every single track.” “The Ones Who Never Talk,” “One Photograph,” and “Shut Up and Listen” are just a few of the standout tracks that give a glimpse into the heart and soul of this talented singer/songwriter. Dave Schulz played keyboards on the record. Elyse’s determination and talent has put them far ahead of many up-and-comers.
Performing as one of the headliners at this Fall’s Donna Jam on Saturday night at Jovita’s, we wanted to get to know Elyse a little better and help introduce her to the rest of our lovely community of women who will be in attendance Saturday night!
LGA: Tell us a little bit about yourself, where are you from, and how you got into the music industry.
Elyse: ”A little about me… I’m a night owl, but not an all-nighter. I love bike riding, the rain, a great real-life TV mystery, good food and better company. I’ve always been a little fish in a big pond. I’m originally from New York City, but moved to Los Angeles when I was little because of life-threatening asthma attacks. Both my parents sing. My Dad attended the High School of the Performing Arts (The Fame School), so music runs deep through out my lineage. I danced and sang in musicals growing up, wrote poetry, and then after high school, I started writing my own songs.”
LGA: Who are you biggest influences? Is there any particular event or stage in your life or place you lived that really inspired you to get into music?
Elyse: ”Musically: Alanis Morissette, the Pretenders, Fleetwood Mac, Heart, U2, The Killers
Personally: Stevie Nicks, Dolly Parton, and Lucille Ball”
LGA: For those who haven’t heard your music before, how would you describe your style? What other artists past or present would you compare yourself to?
Elyse: ”Intense pop rock with the intimacy of a singer/songwriter. I’ve been compared to the best of the non-drippy girls of the 80’s and more modernly to Florence + the Machine.”
LGA: What is your favorite year in terms of music? Meaning throughout the decades, which year in particular do you think produced the best music to date?
Elyse: ”I’m going with 1977, which had “Bohemian Rhapsody” (Queen), “Dreams” & “Go Your Own Way” (Fleetwood Mac), “Hotel California” (Eagles), “Breakdown” (Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers), “Barracuda” (Heart) , “Maybe I’m Amazed” (Paul McCartney and Wings) and Billy Joel’s “Just the Way You Are”.”
LGA: What is the craziest show you have ever played?
Elyse: “Craziest show will definitely be one of the shows on the current tour with Dave Schulz. Stay tuned, but Greg Pajer (guitar) and I once played a MySpace Records show where we had to sit in tandem. It was like playing on a school bus!”
LGA: Besides music, what else are you passionate about? What are your other hobbies?
Elyse: ” I’m passionate about the environment, equal rights, suicide prevention, and helping the homeless. I volunteer at the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank, but after I saw a man strip-searched on the side of the freeway in LA, it occurred to me how everyone donates clothing, but no one donates undergarments. So, in the next year I plan to start a non-profit organization, which will provide clean underwear, boxers, bras, tanks, and socks to the homeless.”
LGA: Describe a typical week in the life of Elyse Haren.
Elyse: ”Typically my day starts with walking my Border Collie mut , Melrose, and a soy latte, and of course can’t forget to feed my hefty Orange Tabby cat, Harrison. Then I’ll move onto email and band biz stuff, most likely picking up the guitar for a break, somewhere along the way. I spend my days either recording in the studio, rehearsing with the band, writing new songs, or working as the band’s manager. I am always inspired to write on walks, so after Melly’s late night walk, I’ll usually come back inside and write at least a verse or chorus on the guitar or piano.”
LGA: Have you found that lesbians compromise a large part of your fan base? If so, why do you think that is? If not, why do you think that is?
Elyse: “I have found that lesbians compromise a decent part of my fan base and I hope it’s because I represent a real woman, who isn’t a size zero, who writes her own songs and plays an instrument.”
LGA: What is your impression of Austin, Texas?
Elyse: ”Austin feels like home to us. It’s the first place we ever toured outside California and it’s truly the best city for live music. The people of Austin are so unbelievably supportive of the independent music community and it gives me hope for independent artists everywhere.”
LGA: If you could spend a day with any musician past or present, who would it be and why?
Elyse: “I’d love to spend the day Freddie Mercury because he was an original. His songs, his voice, and you just know he knew exactly how to host a party.”
LGA: We all know that even straight girls have girl crushes. Who is yours?!
Elyse: ”Rihanna.”