Laur Elle is quite a talented artist. Born in the US and moving 15 times before moving to Canada at age 11, she grew up in a small town and trained in gymnastics. That is until she dove head first into music late in high school. Starting by writing poetry as an angsty teen, she then picked up a guitar and fell in love with songwriting. She is working on her first EP right now and we got the chance to talk to her a bit about her 4th single, “Just So You Know”.
Unheard Gems: We are so excited to get to talk to you on Unheard Gems, how are you today?
Laur Elle: I am amazing thank you!
Unheard Gems: Just for our readers to get a little bit of background on you, when did you first know you wanted to pursue music and what was your journey like?
Laur Elle: It honestly took me a long time to realize I wanted to pursue music. I grew up in a very athletic focused family. From an early age, I trained as an elite gymnast, which took up most of my time. I first picked up the guitar at 17 and started teaching myself chords for fun. I always loved listening to music, but it wasn't until I started writing that I realized it was something I really enjoyed. It was during my third year of university, I realized how unhappy I was. That's when I decided to go for it
Unheard Gems: I have to ask about your name, love the creativity, at least it seems to me to be a creative spelling of Laurel, how did you decide that as your stage time?
Laur Elle: Thank you! I wish it was a more exciting story haha. I originally was going to use "Laurel" but there was a surprising amount of Laurel's out there doing great things. Cheers to all of us! I decided to separate it into my two nicknames growing up. That way it still felt like me.
Unheard Gems: You just released your 4th single “Just So You Know” which is such an incredible song. As a first time listener and as a returning listener you also can’t wait for more after hearing this release. What inspired this song?
Laur Elle: Thank you so much! I'm so happy you like it. I've been doing more writing for others lately than myself. So when I sat down to write for my own project, I wanted it to be something very personal and real. I was in a pretty toxic relation for a few years. I realised a lot of the things that happened still affected how I felt about myself now. I wanted to write to just get it out and let it go for good.
Unheard Gems: Do you have any relationship advice? Being that this song is about a toxic relationship you went through is there anything you could say to girls, or really anyone, going through or who have gone through something similar?
Laur Elle: Trust your friends and family! If every single person around you is saying its dysfunctional, there is a 99.9% chance it is! Do not minimize the opinions of the people who care about you and know you best.
Unheard Gems: You are also currently working on an EP! What can you tell us about that project and what can we be looking forward to from that release.
Laur Elle: I am! I don't have any juicy details yet as I'm still in the writing stages. Everything is slowly coming together and I'm extremely excited to have my own little body of work that I can put a bow on and share with the world.
Unheard Gems: Are there any artists you would want to collaborate with and why?
Laur Elle: There are so many! To name just a few... I think Finneas O Connell would be one of my first picks. I think he is a genius as a producer and a songwriter. I would love to just sit in the room and watch how he creates. Same with Banks. I've always looked up to her as a lyricist and a badass female role model. I would love to be in a writing room with her one day.
Unheard Gems: : I love hearing what the artists we talk to are listening to. Who are some artists you think deserve more attention in the music industry and why?
Laur Elle: A few months ago I would have said Lennon Stella, but in the last little while her career has exploded and it's so exciting. She has the voice of an angel and seems so down to earth and kind. I love that about an artist. 10/10 would recommend checking out her music if you haven't.
Unheard Gems: Lastly, for all of our readers, where can they find you and your music and is there anything else you want to leave us with that we didn’t talk about in our questions?
Laur Elle: Thanks so much for talking with me, This was awesome, You can find my new single, "Just so you Know" May 3rd everywhere you can buy or stream music.
iamlaurelle.com
open.spotify.com/artist/5DQPhXyByXuh4DxLjHm7UH
youtube.com/user/laureleee33/featured
facebook.com/IamLaurElle
instagram.com/iamlaur.elle
Interview by Hannah Schneider