Today we’d like to introduce you to Elyse Kacsandi.
Elyse, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
Music has always been a huge part of my life. My sweet mom, a very talented musician, and singer began teaching me piano at the age of four, guitar at the age of 12, singing lessons throughout the years as I grew up, and I taught myself ukulele when I was 14. Throughout the years, I worked on little projects here and there. However, my first real project happened in 2017 when producer, Jordan Biel of The Cellar Records, contacted me about co-writing an album with him. We wrote and recorded my first album, Perfect Day With You, under the artist name, Elyse Nicole. That was such an enjoyable experience and I learned so much. I can’t thank Jordan enough for believing in me and giving me the confidence to move forward in my music career.
In the spring of 2019, I got the itch to learn how to produce and make beats. I decided to teach myself in my little home studio and spending some time learning the ways of Logic Pro and Maschine, I started creating and producing my own music. In May of 2019, I released my first self-written and produced song, All My Time, under my current artist name, Lyse. Since then, I have released a few more songs and am currently working on another single to be released here soon. All of my music can be heard on Spotify, iTunes and all other streaming services.
As I mentioned above, I am a model as well. I began modeling in the fall of 2018 when I was contacted by a local photographer to do a shoot for an apartment complex. This shoot led me to do freelance work with various hotels, brands, and companies over the past year and a half and I even landed a spot on the cover of Dreamy Magazine. I fell in love with the art. I had great success working independently and am now looking to acquire bigger opportunities with an agency.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
It definitely hasn’t been the smoothest of roads. Growing up, I was very insecure about if I was, in general, good enough. I honestly used to hate seeing pictures of models in magazines or on tv and I now know the reason for that is because I always wanted to be one, but I never thought I was good enough. As I have grown, I have developed the self-confidence to stand in front of the camera and be myself, to love myself, and to love what I’m doing. I want my little story to reach others in hopes that they may read it and know they’re not alone and that they’re strong enough and good enough to move forward and overcome any negativity in their lives.
I also personally deal with anxiety, which has, in the past, kept me from going to photoshoots or sitting down to make music. It’s something that has often brought me down, but I know I am in control of it and can only push forward knowing that each day I am so blessed to be able to wake up and work on the things that I am so passionate about.
Can you give our readers some background on your music?
My artist’s name is Lyse. I am a musician, singer, songwriter, and producer. My main music genre is Pop with subgenres of bedroom pop, dream pop, and electro-pop. I would say my inspirations are Billie Eilish, Selena Gomez, and Lana Del Ray. Music is so dear to me. It has been able to comfort me when I’ve felt alone and has enhanced my joy when I’m feeling good. It’s gotten me through so much and I’m so grateful for it.
As mentioned, I’m also a model. I specialize in lifestyle and editorial print mostly but I am highly adaptable and can fit many genres. Modeling has been a love of mine for years now. I light up in front of cameras and I love the whole creative process of photoshoots. Being able to express emotion or an idea through just a photograph is brilliant.
If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
Honestly, I wish that I wouldn’t have taken life for granted so much growing up. I think that taking these things for granted and not practicing gratitude, up until this past year, has really prolonged my happiness and success. If I could start over, I’d start over with intense gratitude and excitement for life. I’m so blessed to have the ability and talent to play the instruments that I play, to sing as I do, and to truly have a passion for it.
Contact Info:
- Website: elysekacsandi.weebly.com
- Phone: (617) 824-0178
- Email: enkacsandi@gmail.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/elysekacsandi
- Other: https://linktr.ee/lysemusic
Image Credit:
Bob Canto, Michael Mcgee, Quesi James
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