Elise Testone releases latest EP 'This Is Love'.
A lot has changed since Elise Testone rocked prime time as a 2012 American Idol finalist. Instagram was in its infancy and social media reach had only scratched the surface. A trained musician before she landed an Idol slot (Testone has a BA in music and vocal performance from Coastal Carolina University), she thought she was somewhat wise when it came to the music industry, but Testone quickly learned that she was immersed in a complicated business.
I caught up with Testone, now 35, to talk about her professional journey. Her latest album, This Is Love, composed of songs she wrote and co-wrote, reflect upon her personal growth and the love and loss she has encountered along the way. Known for her blend of funk, rock and soul and praised by music icons like Steven Tyler and Stevie Nicks, Testone believes her new project also reflects the intensity of her work.
When it comes to making music and surviving in a competitive field, Testone’s commitment to creating and staying true to herself has never wavered. And she doesn’t shy away from discussing her challenges.
“Well, I always would like to think that I knew a lot, but I think I did not,” says Testone about her pre-Idol naiveté.
Recently shifting gears and moving from South Carolina to New York City, Testone says she wanted to challenge her own music-making.
“The goal was to kind of get my butt kicked and start over from the ground up and what better place to do that than New York?”
Despite the unwavering and spotlighted success of former contestants Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood and Jennifer Hudson, many finalists struggle with capturing industry attention for their work despite the quality and validity of those projects. And all who want a significant platform must put in overtime to cover the bases.
“It never ends, you know, the grind never ends. Even if you're up at the top of the mountain, like you're, you're not going to stay there…so you constantly, constantly, constantly have to reevaluate where you're at,” explains Testone.
Keeping on top of her career has been a non-stop job, especially in an ever-changing field with complicated personalities and social influences.
“It’s just different now…If you don’t understand how to use social media and if you don’t understand the algorithm of social media you’re gonna fall behind.”
Formulas aside, she also believes that beyond networking, collaborating, and creating great music, understanding emotions can play an important role in navigating success. Testone admits that skepticism just might be her most important business tool.
“I don’t believe everything I hear, I try not to get my hopes up….I’m very skeptical, but sometimes it might be to a fault, but it’s hard to know. I would definitely say, you know, 'Follow your gut instincts with things because it’s easy to get swayed in different directions. And really understand what you’re getting into….Really read the fine print. Get things in writing….There are so many things you don’t even know, you can just completely lose yourself in the business world of music.'”
