With her velvet voice and her astounding lyrics, Elysia Biro takes us somewhere we’ve never been before. The Canadian singer, classically trained in piano from the age of four, blends jazz, classical music, and pop into a sound entirely her own, one that moves us to tears. From jazz festivals to iconic venues, her voice is inescapable. She recently released her excellent debut EP, Running From Nothing, and now talks to us in more depth about the record and what’s next for her.
Picture : Sabra Binder
What is your first memory with music?
My earliest musical memories are of listening in the car while watching the trees float past in the back seat of my parent’s 1996 Ford Explorer and listening to my dad play music gently on his stereo. ‘Come Away With Me’ by Norah Jones is one that stands out to me, along with Watermark and Shepherd Moons by Enya, which he would softly play when we first woke up or went to sleep. They both have such visceral emotions for me now when I listen to them.
You’ve always been a fan of jazz, learning on your own by the age of thirteen and then completing a bachelor’s degree in Jazz Studies. What are some precious lessons that you learned on your own versus learning at school?
Growing up listening to jazz was a fundamental part of my musical upbringing. Once I began playing it, learning on my own was a lesson in itself. Up to that point, a lot of my musical training had been in the European classical genre, where I was taught by classically trained teachers. I’m extremely grateful I had the opportunity to learn with such wonderful educators, but self-training in jazz was also an important learning experience. I had absorbed so much jazz through just listening but had never tried to actually play it myself. Once I did, I loved the freedom it gave me to express myself in an entirely new way.
You grew up in the wilds of Vancouver Island, and looking closely at your cover art, nature seems to be a recurring theme. Is this a nod to your hometown and the environment you grew up in?
Absolutely! Growing up surrounded by trees was something I loved immensely as a child, and I have such fond memories of spending the majority of my childhood in and around trees and a nearby pond. I was fascinated to watch dancing pond skaters and bugs under rocks and begged my parents for a birdhouse outside my bedroom window. (I don’t think a bird ever came to live in the birdhouse, but it filled me with wonder all the same.) Nature is and will always be very important to me, as I feel it should be for everyone, so it feels special to reflect that in my music’s artwork.
Last April, you released your EP ‘Running From Nothing’, which you describe as a series of letters to your younger self. If you could say one last thing to your younger self, what would you want them to know?
If I had a conversation with a younger version of me, I would want to help myself focus on what really matters, and instead of overthinking, to divert that energy into the people I love, improving myself, and staying in the moment. (I think I try to remind my current self of that too.)
As a constantly anxious person, the title track “Running From Nothing” felt like it was written for me. It’s a song about breathing in and out and taking things more lightly. Why was it important for you to write this song?
It really means the world to know that this song resonates with you, especially as it’s a song that is very meaningful to me. ‘Running From Nothing’ was written as a reminder to myself to stay grounded and in the moment, and I’m reminded of that each time I listen to, practice, or perform it. I would be truly humbled and grateful if the song could evoke similar emotions for other listeners.
“Fool’s Gold” is one of my favorite songs from the EP. Can you tell me more about this amazing tune?
Thank you, firstly! It’s one of my favourite songs as well. I wrote it when I was on tour with another artist and was dreaming of touring my own music. ‘Fool’s Gold’ relates to a time early in my music career when someone thought they knew what was best for me and my music and challenged my confidence in my own actions. While my initial perception was that their words were golden, I came to realize they were nothing but fool’s gold. It was also incredibly special to record this tune live with an amazing group of musicians, including Larry Klein (who produced the track with Alex Bone), Kaveh Rastegar, Larry Goldings, Jay Bellerose, and Mason Stoops.
“Clever” is your most recent release and one of your most vulnerable. Why did you choose this title to represent the song?
The title “Clever” felt poignant because it represents the point at which the song shifts emotionally and lyrically. I chose Clever as the title because it perfectly depicts the notion of someone who is deceitful and manipulative in their actions.
“Reignite” is about finding the light again in your life and having the strength to continue. What was the inspiration behind it?
Music and writing have been a prominent part of my entire life; however, this last year has involved a lot of brand-new experiences for me. My first single, ‘Just Wait a Minute’, was released, followed by my debut EP, Running From Nothing. I began touring for the first time in Canada, France, the Netherlands, England, and the USA. I’ve played a few dream venues and festivals, including the Montreal Jazz Festival, the London Palladium, and the Elgar Room at Royal Albert Hall. I also moved solo from Vancouver Island to the United Kingdom and then to Los Angeles. I’m so grateful for these experiences, but they have required that I trust myself, my voice, and my choices. ‘Reignite’ is a reminder to myself to continue doing just that.
In your song “Gentleman Blue,” you talk about someone who’s 62 but still so carefree. You sing, “She’s spinning while the world is dancing.” Can you tell us more about the meaning behind those lyrics?
I have a long history of worrying about getting older (including crying about turning seven when I was only six years old)! Recently, on my birthday, I was with a group of friends and saw an older woman dancing in a floral dress who seemed so joyful and carefree. It inspired me to embrace the notion of getting older and realizing what a privilege it is to grow. I wrote ‘Gentleman Blue’ the next day, and it’s a reminder to maintain that mentality.
What can we expect from you in 2027?
I’m so excited for 2027! I’m working on a new group of songs that I’m very excited to release, as well as planning new tour dates, including in Europe! I really enjoyed playing earlier this year at Le Duc des Lombards, and I genuinely can’t wait to be back to play in Paris and hopefully in more cities in France! (I actually happened to perform during the PSG semi-final, so my songs received some background vocals of football chants outside the venue, haha.). I really feel I’ve grown a lot over this past year and can’t wait to continue into the next chapter. I look forward to meeting and connecting with many more supporters and building community!
Credits photo : Sabra Binder
