Meet Mikaela Elson | Singer Song-writer, Performer, and teacher

We had the good fortune of connecting with Mikaela Elson and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Mikaela, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking.
I believe that risk is necessary to excel yourself distinctly in the spaces you wish to be in. I am always inspired by artists that are BOLD and take risks. I always self-examine why someone touched me with their creativity and I realized the biggest risk was the one they took on themselves to step into their creativity as genuinely as possible. The genuity lends a new perspective for an audience. Taking risks allows you to be genuine to yourself, which has led me to the career I have today.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I am a vocal artist and composer. I am always curious about creating unique melodies to compliment my storytelling with warm and extended harmonies. It’s important to me to be as authentic as I can with my music while inviting the audience in. I think that’s what sets me apart from other musicians; I lean into the feeling, rather than my chops, to me that’s just ego. Music is meant to be felt below the surface, it’s so magical. I’ve been so excited about taking more risks musically. I’ve been playing in bands and collaborating for awhile and recently I decided to take a leap into my solo work. It’s really connected me with new friends and creatives I wouldn’t have met if I kept going in the direction I was. I got to where I am professionally by being persistent with my craft. I’m constantly looking for ways to better my technique and extend my harmonic knowledge. My curiosity leads me to a lot of interesting places because I trust myself to take me where I need to go as an artist. I really put in the work once I graduated high school, so I had a bit of a late start, but I stuck to it. I went to Junior college, transferred to a University, took a couple years off and got my Masters, so I attribute some of my success through my connections in College and colleagues I hit it off with. I always have tried my best to get as involved as possible during school and a lot of that led to professional work in the Los Angeles music scene and beyond. When you go to artists’ shows you admire or perform outside of school that just opens a whole new world of connections and opportunities, especially if you have your own music to account for. Although, I have had many amazing opportunities and now starting to find my stride, I also didn’t have the most cookie cutter path in my career. I’ve been taking care of myself since I left high school and was a single mother during my early 20’s. I luckily had my aunt, uncle, and cousins to help me while I took professional gigs and finished school. That was one of the most difficult points in my life, but it really took a village. I wouldn’t be where I am now if I didn’t have my community back in Riverside, CA before I moved to LA back in 2018. I overcome those challenges because I’ve always believed that being a full-time artist/musician is the only future I see for myself. My experiences shape my music and who I am today. I haven’t had the easiest life, but I’ve always been my own rock. Self-resilience and belief can lead you very far. I still feel like an emerging artist, even though I’ve been performing for over a decade! Everyone has their own path and I just want people to know that. I want the world to know that they aren’t alone. My aim is to make music that can relate to a wide audience and allow them to feel seen as I am always going to be authentic and genuine through my music.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
If my friend was visiting for a week, lets say Saturday-Saturday, I’d say Sunday morning we’d get brunch at Beethoven’s Market, then hit a matinee 35mm film at Los Feliz theater. After the movie, I would go walk around Skylight bookstore and eat at House of Pies before heading home for the evening. For unique and great eats, I’d spend a day in Alhambra checking out vintage clothes at Rockin’ Vintage, eat at 101 Noodles, and browse records at St33t Records. I love hikes through Griffith Park and stopping at the observatory once you reach the top. Other fun fitness activities is Kinship for hot yoga in Highland Park and a coffee and snack at Kindness & Mischief across the street. For a fun night of dancing, I love Motown Mondays at The Short Stop. For Tuesday nights I’d go to jazz nights at the Melody Lounge. I love going to museums and I especially love the African American Museum, Hammer museum, and Jeffrey Deitch Gallery. Throughout the rest of the week I’d be sure to eat breakfast at Friends & Family and a late night snack at Fred 62s (their milkshakes are amazing). It is a must to get tacos at Ave 26, then go for a long walk around LA Historic park. If there is a show lined up with Rare Candy, I’d take time to go check out the up-and-coming artists of the LA music scene.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I’d like to thank KUCR 88.3fm, Elliot Fong, Franz, We Make Noise, bedcrumb radio, and California Institute of the Arts.

Website: https://www.mikaelaelson.com

Instagram: @mikaelaelson_

Image Credits
Brandon Smith
Pete Aragon