Check out our interview with Alternative pop artist Estelle Fox who just released her debut single “Crazy.”
Estelle 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.
She 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.
Follow Estelle @estelle.fox
Hi Estelle, please tell us a little about you?
I’m a 16-year-old singer-songwriter who’s been writing songs since I was about 10. Outside of music, I love to skateboard and hang out with my friends. I’m passionate about social and environmental issues and I’m a huge animal lover.
Describe yourself in 3 words?
methodical, passionate, and creative
We’re sure you have been asked this a million times but how did you get into the industry?
I’ve known I wanted to pursue music since I was super young. When I turned 16 my parents thought it was a good age for me to start pursuing my dream seriously. A family friend suggested I reach out to Platinum record producer Barb Morrison. To my surprise after sending in two recordings of my songs to their manager, they got back to me saying they loved the songs and Barb would definitely be interested in working with me. Since then I’ve been introduced to tons of people within the industry and have been able to experience the process of recording, mixing, mastering, and promoting a song.
How has this changed your life?
Having the ability to pursue my passion at such a young age has been such a gift. Creating my EP was such an incredible process and taught me so much about recording, but the main thing that’s impacted me is the connections I’ve been able to make with people in the industry who are unbelievably supportive of my work. For a very long time, I was super insecure about my writing but hearing that other people enjoy my music has been such a surreal experience.
Describe your sound in 3 words?
dramatic, bright, strong
Who influenced you and why did you choose to make music?
My more recent influences are artists like Clairo and Mitski, but growing up I pulled a lot of inspiration from artists like Alicia Keys, Kelly Clarkson, and Katy Perry. I’m also a huge fan of old jazz singers. I chose to make music because it was the easiest way for me to express how I felt in an emotional yet productive way. I’m able to make painful feelings into something beautiful and creative with my music.
Do you play any instrument?
Yes, I started piano around the age of 6 and guitar around 13.
Tell us about your debut single “Crazy?”
Crazy has an upbeat pop feel with dramatic and emotional lyrics. It’s a catchy moderately fast-paced song with a powerful chorus and passionate but controlled vocals. It takes a poetic storytelling narrative in its verses followed by an almost breakdown-like chorus.
What’s the story behind the song?
Crazy deals with unrequited love in a toxic dynamic between a hopeless romantic and an emotionally distant abuser. It touches on issues within the said relationship while reflecting on the emotional impacts this has on one’s self-worth.
What is the most rewarding part of your work?
Being able to share my work and see people feel and relate to it is probably the best part. Times, when I’ve written some of these songs, are points where I’ve felt most isolated, and being able to see that other people have gone through similar things makes me feel less alone.
What book should every entrepreneur read?
I’m not the biggest fan of self-help books. There is so much to be learned simply through experience, especially in this industry and words can’t begin to explain. That being said something that has really good practical advice for singer-songwriters is the Indie Bible. It can give you a lot of information on how to go about anything from booking shows to uploading music videos.
What would say are the greatest lessons you learned so far?
Be open to new sounds and ideas always. Some of my favorite parts of my EP came from random weird ideas.
What advice would you give to your younger self and why?
Start showing your art now! Not everyone is going to be supportive of what you do and that’s okay. Keep writing and sharing your work because eventually someone is going to be touched by it more than you could ever imagine.
How would your best friend describe you?
Compassionate and driven. A blind lover and a lighthearted person.
If you are a book, what would be the title of the book and why?
I’d like to imagine it being something cute like What Lovers Feel because I try very hard to approach every situation with love and understanding sometimes to a fault.
What’s next for Estelle Fox in 2022?
I plan on booking shows around the Tri-State area! In October I’m set to fly out to Nashville to be on the morning show Today in Nashville. The rest of my songs will continue to be dropped throughout the upcoming months as well as some music videos.
What is your favorite healthy food?
I love watermelon so much. Hands down the best fruit and it’s so hydrating I’m in love with it.
And your favorite cheat food?
I’m a vegetarian and I love impossible whopper from Burger King. I beg for them quite often and my parents are very annoyed.
How would you explain your fashion style?
It’s a pretty basic streetwear skater style. I usually like to dress comfortably in cool sweatpants, but I do love occasionally dressing up and shocking everyone with my once-in-a-blue-moon looks.
What is your definition of happiness?
Being content with where you are right now is my definition of happiness. So much of our lives are spent chasing the next big high but it’s so important to reflect on the people we have in our lives and the memories we’ve already got to make.
If you could meet someone living or dead, who would it be and why?
It’d probably have to be Billie Holiday. Not only was she such an incredible artist and performer, but she was also an incredible civil rights activist and she put herself at risk often for her cause. I admire her as a person and I’d want to get better insight into her thoughts and motivations throughout her career.
What would be the dream holiday, and who would you go with?
I’d love to go to France and explore the country with my family and girlfriend.
Best advice ever given?
Be authentic! Life is way more enjoyable when you’re able to openly express yourself.
Do you support any charity?
Yes, I’m a big supporter of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and participate in their students of the year campaign.
Where do you see yourself and your career 5 years from now?
Ideally, I’ll be touring around the country with a livable wage sharing my music with tons of supportive people. I hope to be able to work with a lot of other artists and keep creating because there’s nothing else I could see myself doing for the rest of my life.
Favorite song? Why?
Tough question but right now probably Stay Soft by Mitski. She’s such an incredible lyricist but this song has a cool electronic instrumental and the chorus is just super catchy. I’ve been blasting it in the car recently.
What do you think of Social Media?
I acknowledge that it can have a negative impact on young people’s self-esteem and shouldn’t be a replacement for in-person conversation, but ultimately I think it’s a super crucial step in expanding our perceptions and being able to connect with people from different cultures and ideas throughout the world.
Where we can follow you?
You can check out my website at estellefoxmusic.com and follow me on Instagram and TikTok @estelle.fox
Book: I’m not a huge reader but Lies My Girlfriend Told Me by Julie Anne Peters is a favorite
Quote: “I will love you in the only way an artist can – with everything I am” – R. Clift
Movie: Midsommar
Tv Series: You
Favorite Food: Lo Mein
Travel Destination: Paris
Sports Team: Not a sports fan
