Welcome to the inspiring world of Elle Flanagan, the International Summer Next Gen “Officially Released” Category Runner-up! Hailing from Australia, Elle is not just an independent singer-songwriter who weaves powerful stories through her music; she is also a mentor who brings the healing power of music to maximum-security prisons. Join us as we dive into her unique journey, her creative process, and her upcoming projects.
Can you introduce yourself and tell us what you do?
“Hi, my name is Elle, I’m an independent cross-genre singer-songwriter from Australia. I make music that tells stories. Sometimes it’s my story sometimes it’s someone else’s written from first person perspective. I write, perform and teach music in Australia and recently I’ve had the opportunity to reach new audiences overseas!”
How did your journey in this field begin?
“I’ve played music and written music for as long as I can remember and I started performing live as a solo artist very young around 14-15 years old in pubs and clubs, weddings and local support act for touring artists or at festivals. I’m very lucky to have found not only the thing I’m passionate about but also my talent at such a young age. Now I’ve been in the industry for over ten years and I work full-time in music, writing, recording, performing and teaching.
I’m inspired by alot of artists I grew up listening to story tellers like Paul Kelly and Bruce Sprinsteen. I was a die hard Taylor Swift fan in the early days and I can see alot of her songwriting style in my own music. I also lean heavily towards cross genre artists like John Mayer and Khalid as well as sassy rock queens like Pink.”
What inspired you to choose this profession or path?
“I’ve been lucky in so many ways with my career that sometimes opportunity has found me. I was responsible and I studied Music Business and Tourism at University so that I would have an education to fall back on if being an artist didn’t work out. I’ve always been the type of independent artist to put my hand up for any opportunity to share my craft but in recent years I’ve decided to use my degree to create the opportunities or actively search for them which has made a big difference and also what lead me to Intellerzone! About three years ago I was approached about teaching music in a maximum security correctional centre in Australia which quite frankly scared the hell out of me! But it was a way to leave my other jobs and play music full time so I took it and it has now become one of the most rewarding experiences of my career so far, so much so that this year I took an additional position teaching in Juvenile Justice Centres as well. So now I get to help incarcerated people learn, write and record music from inside a Prison, which is the craziest day job i’ve ever heard! But I love it and it creates so much inspiration for songwriting in my own work.”
What does a typical day look like for you?
“My friend joke that I’m the busiest person they know as well as the worst delegator in history. So most days include 100 things and some of them at the same time. I try to hit the gym at 5am and make a strong coffee and a big breakfast before I head to teach inside the prison for 8 hours including beginner guitar lessons for 10-15 inmates at a time. Then band development classes where we work on stage presence and performance for our band, I also help them write songs and managing our recording studio schedule. Then when I go home for the day I get back to enquires, make content for social media, do invoices and if its getting closer to the weekend I usually have a gig to play in the evening.”
What are the biggest challenges you’ve faced so far?
“Music industry comes with many set backs and alot of rejection. Its not for the faint of heart to put your rawest feelings and darkest secrets to some music and then show it to the world. Social media age has added an extra element to this, artists are now expected to be influences and full time content creators to promote their music. Which in addition to being embarrassing it also doesn’t leave alot of time and space for creativity and actually enjoying your art. I’m based in rural Australia and our country is huge, which means most big opportunities like tour shows, competitions, support slots, recording studios etc. are 4-5 hours drive from my base. But living rural has also been a strength for me it allows me to invest more money and time into my art and it shows commitment to those investing in you if you’re prepared to travel so far to further your career.”
How do you stay motivated during difficult times?
“Despite what the reality singing shows want you to think, the music industry is a marathon not a sprint and our entire craft centres around being creative and inspired so its important to take off to do that. I’m never fed up with or uninspired in my career most the time its burn out from trying to chase every opportunity and manage a balance between being a musician and just being a person. Most weeks I work 6-7 days, so I schedule weekends off, I plan holidays either overseas or in my campervan around Australia to just take time to enjoy life and find new inspiration to write more songs.”
What has been your proudest moment so far?
“My proudest moment as a musician so far has been my nephew singing along to all the words of my single False Gods in the car on the way to pre-school. In my career the biggest achievement I’ve had to date is getting accepted into a songwriting camp in Italy with producers from Europe, the UK, USA and Australia. I leave next week to start that adventure and I can’t wait to see what comes from it!”
How do you define success in your field?
“Success as a songwriter is when you walk on stage to perform for a group of people who have never heard of you, you tell the story behind the song before you sing it and the room falls silent until you’re done. Thats how you know people are connected to the music and the message. That’s all that matters to me. To have a successful career to me is to have the opportunity to play my music to crowds of any size all over my country and all around the world.”
What advice would you give to someone just starting out?
“Starting out can be the best part! The part before too many different influences and opinions enter the chat and you just make music how you want to for yourself and if anyone likes it then great. Try to remember that as you go along because your path will be derailed by someone else’s input at some point. Make the music you like to make, tell the story you want to tell, don’t put pressure on yourself for things to be perfect all the time. Not every song is a hit but every song helps you process things and get better at what you do. There is never going to be a perfect time and place to start, just start! You can work the rest out as you go.”
Is collaboration important in your work? If yes, how?
“Collaborating as a songwriter can be so valuable and I love to work with artists of all genres because thats what music is about and has always been about, connecting and sharing with people. Also everyone’s brain works differently and everyone sees the world differently so seeing a concept through someone else’s eyes can change your whole mindset or approach to something. And it doesn’t need to be other musicians you collaborate with it can be other creatives like photographers or artists, media and brands. Even people with no music background showing them how to create something for the first time can be so rewarding and fun. Any collaborastion that brings you inspiration or fills your cup is worth while.”
What are you currently working on?
“I’ve been writing songs for my first album for the last four or so years working towards a group of songs I love that I can get recorded, produced and released. It’s been a long process but i’m at a stage where I have the material its just time to bring it to life and share it.”
Do you have a dream project or goal for the future?
“I’d love to release this album and do an interstate tour of Australia, either as support for a bigger artist or on my own in my campervan. Long term i’d love to tour overseas and see the world that way maybe US and Canada or Europe. The dream is to set up a home studio and write and release music all the time.”
How do you keep up with trends or changes in your industry?
“Trennddsss, going viral is the new selling out but its easier said then done. I only participate in trends that feel authentic to me because your audience really can tell when you’re faking it. However, if its fun and it feels like me in my music or in my personality I try not to take it too seriously and I give the trend a go. It’s hard to sell your art to strangers online and not feel silly but they just want to see you are human and relate to you. So if you have the time to jump on the latest trend and it feels authentic, just do it.”
What do you wish more people understood about your work?
“The industry structure has changed so much in recent years and while some of the big artists are still supported by a team of people alot of artists are independent and trying to manage everything on their own. Technology has made releasing music so much easier but streaming has devalued our art so now musicians make next to no money from releasing the music which has lead to an increase need for touring and merch sales, brand deals etc. So if you love an artists work and you can make it to a show, buy a shirt or share a video online it really does make a difference.”
Is there anyone you would like to thank?
“I’d like to thank Intellerzone for offering great opportunities to emerging and independent artists and all of my beautiful friends, family and followers who support me always and supported me by voting in this comp. Also anyone who’s still reading at this point, thank you for your time!”
Listen now to ‘False Gods’ by Elle Flanagan, the Runner-up of the Summer Next Gen 2025 competition:
Follow Elle Flanagan:
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/2LCEK5RlTmOPclOor6OySN?si=QfoGx3qdRd-oI_uKfQEiUQ
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ElleFlanagan.music?mibextid=LQQJ4d
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elleflanagan_music?igsh=aGJjbjlib29yNjk1&utm_source=qr
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@elleflanagan.music
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