This is an interview done with @elizaharrisonsmith, read her story below! If you, or anyone you know, would like to be highlighted in The Zillennial Zine, shoot us an email at thezillennialzine@gmail.com or DM us on Instagram!
Q: Tell us your story! Where did you begin and how did you reach the caliber you’re currently at?
A: I started playing guitar and writing songs after going to a Taylor Swift concert when I was 13. Music has been my biggest passion since then, but I was a super shy kid, so I didn’t always see it as a possible career. I ended up going to college and getting an English degree, and about halfway through college, I realized that songwriting is the most important thing in my life, and that I owed it to myself to at least try to pursue it. So, I took a leap of faith and moved to Nashville after college. Nashville has been where I’ve cut my teeth – I’ve written over 500 songs, learned to perform, and really discovered my artistry the past few years I’ve been here.
Q: What makes you love what you do? How long have you been making music? Would you call it your passion?
A: As a kid, before I started writing songs, I loved writing stories. As a pretty shy kid, I feel like writing helped me get out of my head and process what I was thinking and feeling. When I realized I could put those words to music, it was game over. I think it’s almost like magic to be able to create a whole song from just a few words or a little part of a melody – to make something out of nothing. Songwriting almost feels like a puzzle to me sometimes, the way that you have to search for the perfect word or phrase that fits the rhythm and rhyme scheme of the song. It’s so satisfying when you find all the right words.
Q: What are some accomplishments or milestones you’ve reached lately?
A: I’ve been proud of the way my streaming numbers have increased slowly, but steadily over the past few years. I just reached 60k monthly listeners on Spotify – I’ve worked really hard to build an audience there, but it’s hard to wrap my head around the fact that people are actually listening to my songs every day. I’m so grateful for that. I’m also releasing a five-song EP on January 31st, and I’m playing my first headline show in Nashville for the release, which I am simply over the moon about. The new EP is my first big project, and I’m so proud of how it all turned out.
Q: Tell us all about your latest project!
A: I released an EP called “The Way I’m Wired” on January 31st. The five songs on the EP all came from a time when I was challenging myself to write from a more vulnerable, honest place. The songs are definitely lyrically introspective, but they’re also fun and upbeat production-wise, and I think that contrast is really cool. The project was produced by Christian Harger in Nashville – we wrote some of these songs together, and I just love his production style and instincts. Overall, this EP feels like the truest representation of my artistry so far, and I’m really excited to share it.
Q: Do you have any advice for someone who might admire you? What do you think is the key to success?
A: I have a long way to go! I don’t know that I’ve found the key to success yet. But, I do think that I started seeing more traction with my music when I started just making stuff that I loved. I think that creating art that is authentic to you, and being persistent in sharing that art, will lead you in a good direction.
Q: What do you want our readers to know about you?
For a long time, I didn’t think I’d get the chance to make and release music the way I do now. I’m just really grateful to anyone who listens to it!
Find Eliza Harrison Smith Online!
Instagram: @elizaharrisonsmith
TikTok: @elizaharrisonsmith
YouTube: @elizaharrisonsmith
Spotify: Eliza Harrison Smith
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