Sheva Elliot is a Los Angeles born-and-based singer, songwriter, composer, & occasional poet. Her work is rooted in blues, soul, & rock and roll.
What are your ambitions as a songwriter and musician from here?
I’d like to tour, open for larger acts, and write for other artists! While I love performing, I also just love the craft of making music. Writing for other people would be so fulfilling. I imagine it would help me create a stronger community and task me to level up as a songwriter.
Of your music, do you have a favorite? If so, can you pin down why?
My upcoming single, Lost & Found, is one of my favorites. It’s the most vulnerable one I have to date, and it’s a good indicator of where I would like to go with my next album: a soulful southern rock sound.
What can we expect from you within the next 6 months? Are any releases planned? Future gigs?
Lost & Found was released on May 19th, and the accompanying music video will be out on May 26th. The full-length album (my debut album!) is due out in Summer 2023. Hoping to book many more gigs, and ideally a tour of the West Coast and the South!
How do you deal with writer’s block?
Stay patient. If I’m sitting at the piano and the words or notes aren’t coming, I’ll just pause or meditate. I’ll either keep sitting there and trying for a few more minutes or just get up and take a break. I understand I’m not always entitled to be struck with brilliance, the Muse is busy and has many visits to make.
What is the best advice you have been given?
“I hope you f*** up.” I was speaking to a friend of mine, who happened to be a musician and producer, the day before I was to head into the studio to produce one of my songs. I told him I was so afraid of making a mistake, of f***ing up. He said to me, “I hope you do.” “Excuse me?” “I hope you fuck up. It’s the best way to learn.” From then on, I prayed to make mistakes and to be open to the learning that comes from them. Perfection is a prison, it’s an illusion. It’s much more freeing to be open to the learning that comes with the inevitably imperfect process of creation.
Who would you most like to collaborate with?
Dave Cobb, Chris Stapleton, Rebecca & Megan Lovell of Larkin Poe, Bonnie Raitt, Melissa Etheridge, Mavis Staples, Dan Auerbach
How do you feel the Internet has impacted the music business?
I think it distracts artists and depletes their creative energy – ideally, we should be focusing on our craft, but we’re made to feel like we also have to be social media and marketing geniuses to cut through the noise. From what I’ve gathered in watching music docs & listening to interviews with industry vets, it seems there used to be an element of development that isn’t here anymore. Labels expect artists to come already packaged with a huge following, whereas in the days before the internet, people were discovered and given resources for development. Of course, there’s more freedom and independence to self-release and do what you want, but I guess I romanticize certain aspects of how the industry was pre-LimeWire.
If you could be a superhero, what would your superpower be, and your superhero name?
To speak every single language fluently. Superhero name: Gemini Moon.
What historical figure would you love to see in 21st-century life?
Cleopatra
If you could ask your future self-one question, what would it be?
Do we get the giant house in the woods with the A-line ceiling and amazing glass windows, and was there a handsome lumberjack involved?
What is your favorite board game?
Ouija Board. Just kidding – it’s not a game, kids. (But I love it)
If you were talking to a younger version of yourself, what advice would you give yourself?
Remember you are lovable. Don’t feel insecure about your quirks, celebrate them! Be patient, and stay grateful. The answers will come, and more will be revealed.
Think love child of Janis Joplin, Aretha Franklin, Elton John, Patti Smith, an ancient high-priestess hymnals of the Nile Valley with some inherent Jewish mysticism thrown in. ‘Lost and Found’ is about surrendering to what you have no control over. As a former addict in recovery, Sheva wrote this during an excruciating time in her life, trying to intervene two loved one in the grips of addiction and surrendering to the reality that you can only help those who want to be helped.
Sheva states, “Lost & Found” is a love letter to being loved – not in the romantic sense. It’s written to those who have carried me through choppy waters with deep friendship, mentoring, and simply relaxation. It’s for those who loved me until I learned to love myself.”
