This time, we get to know Elizmi, a London artist with influences ranging from Ella Fitzgerald to Arianna Grande. Winner of the ASSI Gold award for the best songwriter of the year 2021, and performing across the globe, Elizmi says, "I want to inspire people. I want someone to look at me and say, "Because of you, I didn't give up". That is what I do every day, not giving up. My new track is about that listen, and feel inspired, and that you are not alone."
The track "Waste no Time" is featured in the New Artist Spotlight Family of Playlists.
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1. Tell us a little about where you are from and what you are currently doing.
I am British, born in Chatham, Kent. Grew up in Murcia, Spain. I now live in Kent again on the Isle of Sheppey. I have my own songwriting business; we are currently upgrading to an agency for entertainers, namely DJs, singers, dancers etc.
2. What inspired you to start playing and making music?
I started singing at 8 as my parents were very supportive. I then joined an amateur theatre group and my love of the stage began.
At thirteen we moved back to the UK. I had a very hard time fitting in, was bullied, and called weird at school. I began to write songs to help myself to express my feelings. I decided then at 16 to go to college to study music.
𝟯. Who are your biggest influences?
I was totally into Ella Fitzgerald and Nina Simone when I was young. I still love them but have been influenced by more contemporary artists such as Arianna Grande, Khalid, Rihanna, Kehlani, Sam Smith, JLo, Adele, and Jorja Smith, to name a few. I love to mix up my genres when writing.
4. What are your goals in the music industry?
Some years ago, I would have said be famous, but to become famous, you have to be so lucky, and so I want my new business venture to become huge while I wait.
After the covid restrictions were lifted here in the UK, gigging the main way I was funding my music and living expenses, was basically gone. most of the bookers I had worked with were no longer in business and so I had to go find my own gigs. I am now my own booker and help up and coming Dj's, artists and models to get work.
5. Tell us about your creative process when you make new music.
Right, it normally starts with a mood, namely, finding some referencing tracks that go with that mood. For instance, my last track, Waste no Time, is about feeling worthless and unproductive. I will use the reference tracks to lay down my chord progression and melody; as my base track, I use logic. I will then write my lyrics, sometimes, especially with a song that has a big message I have had lyrics in my head for a time, so melody and lyrics come simultaneously. Then an amazing producer and I put together all my ideas, as I am not that good at producing and rubbish at mixing and mastering.
6. What is your all-time favorite song?
Pump it _ Black eyed peas, I remember it from my childhood, It's a real feel-good song and I remember wishing to be able to sing like Fergy
7. What is the best advice you have either given or received in terms of music?
I would give this advice; Life is a bitch every day, so we might as well get up and fight back. I have suffered mental health problems with having to cope with anxiety and tremor for years and have had to self-motivate to get my tracks done.
Getting up and fighting back is how I got to where I am today.
8. Proudest accomplishment?
I have many, Singing my Debut single at a Beverly Knight concert, being nominated for a songwriting award for the Artemus Film and Music Awards, where I was flown to LA for the red carpet event, getting a number one on the PR 100 Chart above Gabriel ( the 90’s pop/rnb singer). and winning ASSI Gold award for the best songwriter of the year 2021.
9. Just for fun! What's been your most embarrassing moment so far?
Probably when I kept replying to people in Spanish when we first moved back to the UK. Although English was my first language I spoke Spanish most of the time when we lived in Murcia, I thought in Spanish too so coming back to the UK was a bit strange, Spanglish was a real embarrassment when you're 13 and trying to make friends. !
𝟭0. Tell us about your lowest and highest points in music so far.
The lowest point, having my first couple of tracks distributed by a record label who then would not take them down once the contract had finished. This took almost two years over the five they had for distribution.
My high point is now finding a great business partner and setting up my new venture. Having to get up and go to my office every day is a great boost to my mental health. I have suffered mental health problems in the past.
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