16-year-old, Eastern Pennsylvania Alternative pop artist Estelle Fox found a connection with music from a very young age with a piano front and center.
Video clips of Kelly Clarkson, Katie Perry, and Taylor Swift captivated Estelle. She glued herself to the screen absorbing the art of performance by indestructible, commanding, and highly celebrated female musicians. At 10 years old, an unexpected change in piano coach heard Estelle sing and encouraged her to let her stunning voice be heard. It was this lightbulb moment that gave Estelle the creative blossoming to pursue her dream of singing and songwriting. Her talent was unleashed.
Estelle took the lead role of Veruca Salt in the school production of “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory” highlighting to her peers and the public that she was meant for the stage. As Estelle hit her early teens, the world around her was changing, and she found solace in writing songs that shone a light into her very own thoughts and sensibilities. As personal emotions surfaced while navigating the world around her, Estelle became invested in the need to empower young women in a world of excessive social media, stereotyping, and unrealistic expectations stamped upon teen culture.
Estelle took her songs to the top 5 Billboard chart-topping and Platinum record producer Barb Morrison (Blondie, Rufus Wainwright, Franz Ferdinand) who gave Estelle’s songs the love and attention that they so rightly commanded. Spending time with Barb in the studio gave Estelle a life-affirming experience that would see Estelle create songs that are starkly honest and personal, with fiercely catchy and sublime indie pop hooks.
Turning 17 this year, Estelle’s musical influences depict the times. Indie act Clairo and Alt Pop band Beach Bunny can be heard pumping from her room, through the family home. Estelle is an avid animal rights activist and is politically engaged, actively seeking ways to create a cleaner, inclusive and fairer world for all.
Estelle Fox is a young female trailblazer who offers her songs with selfless humility, singing the sentiment of the next generation… a collective voice just trying to be heard.
When did you start writing music?
I started writing music formally at 9 or 10 years old
Have you always been interested in music? Was there a particular song/performance that made you say “Woah! I want to do that!”?
I’ve been interested in music for as long as I can remember, but I do remember watching Taylor Swift’s “Love Story” music video and being in absolute shock at the beautiful gowns and gorgeous ballroom. I think that’s when I decided I want to do music and be able to see my music come to life through film. I love music on its own but seeing a story painted so beautifully at such a young age stuck with me.
What do you enjoy most about being an artist?
I like being able to express my emotions through music. I think it’s an easy way for people to feel comfortable expressing negative emotions which are often perceived as weak or dramatic. As an artist, I’m able to create something that has the power to impact people very deeply and I want to be able to make a positive difference in the world.
What is your creative process like?
I start the writing process very naturally by simply reflecting on my emotions and how I’d want to express them in words. Then usually I’ll come up with a melody for the chorus of the song and I’ll write down the chord progression it follows. Sometimes I’ll continue writing the piano or guitar part and other times I’ll continue writing the lyrics or melody depending on which comes easier at the moment. It can vary and sometimes I’ll just have a good idea for lyrics or a cool piano part and it will be weeks before I finally put the song together.
If you could go open a show for any artist who would it be?
100% Clairo, Even though her music recently has been folkier, and in the past has had more of a bedroom pop feel, I think her fans have a wide taste in music and they’d appreciate my sound and lyrics. I think she’s inspiring and I’d be honored to be able to open for her.
In your opinion, how do artists in this industry stay on top of the game when faced with so much competition? What’s the secret to making yourself noticed?
Social media has become a super huge platform for building an audience, but I think when it comes down to it, to keep and expand your audience you have to be making and performing art that’s authentic to you. People can sense when someone sells out or their hearts are not in their work and to be successful in this industry you have to hustle and stay committed. It’s really hard to do that when you’re not in it for the right reasons.
Do you have any other plans relating to this release? A video? Online Shows?
My music video dropped for “Crazy” on July 29th!
Would you have any advice for would-be artists or songwriters wanting to follow in your footsteps?
Put yourself out there. You don’t have to know a ton of theory or be good at an instrument to do what you do. Start writing and singing and performing everywhere you can and surround yourself with other musicians.
What was the last thing you dressed up as for fancy dress?
Our local High School Theatre Award Show The Freddy Awards
As a kid were you ever frightened of a monster under the bed or in the cupboard?
I was terrified of dolls as a child to the point where I made my parents give all of them away. I used to have an armoire with glass doors and I was convinced the little porcelain dolls were blinking at me and moving.
If you could learn any language fluently what would it be?
Spanish, because a lot of my family on my mom’s side speaks it and I think it’d help me to become more in touch with my family’s cultural traditions.
What movie ending really frustrated you? And how would you change it?
The Mist was a movie ending that upset me. I know it’s based on a Stephen King book but I would’ve liked to see a happier ending on the screen where the car is found by the military before everyone but the main character dies.
If you were talking to a younger version of yourself, what advice would you give yourself?
Start showing your art now! You can only get better from where you are. People are going to like what you’re doing so quit doubting yourself and keep writing
