Elisabeth Beckwitt
Boston-native Elisabeth Beckwitt releases new single “Lovely”.
Written by Beckwitt and produced by Jason Threm, “Lovely” is an empowering song for women around the world.
“This song oozes with power, and is a representation of the entire women’s movement. “You call it progress then proceed to oppress...Is it our time yet?” With everything that’s been coming to light in recent years, there is an opportunity to progress and I think this song is my way in playing a small part in that,” explains Beckwitt.
The Nashville-based artist also strives to support LGBTQ+ communities and is an active advocate for mental illness.
In 2018 she created Sad Girl Music, a music promotion and production business dedicated to celebrating the vulnerability and power of womxn, and encouraging mental health awareness.
Currently working on her new EP, Elisabeth Beckwitt is creating an authentic indie pop sound showcasing her uniqueness.
“Lovely” is now available worldwide.
Photo credit: Molly Lins Photography
Introduce yourself - what's your story?
Hello Thread! Thanks for having me! My name is Elisabeth Beckwitt and I am a Nashville-based Indie Pop artist. I’m originally from Boston, MA, and moved to Nashville in 2015. I have released 4 musical projects since moving here, and am currently working on my next EP! I have struggled with depression and anxiety my whole life, and know how important it is to be open and honest about my experience and remind people that they are never alone. I started the community Sad Girl Music in September 2018 to celebrate the vulnerability and strength of female artists in Nashville and have been honored to feature 40 unique women. I love building community in Nashville, and have been so thankful for support from local radio station Lightning 100.
Could you describe us your childhood a little bit?
I grew up in Lexington, MA, about 20 minutes outside of Boston. My parents are both musicians (not by profession, but in every other sense of the word), and it was always a rule growing up that I had to play an instrument. I started playing piano when I was 4, and started singing when I was around 7. I hopped around a few other instruments, but those two were always the constants. We also LOVED musical theatre, and went to many shows in NYC. Music was my savior. I experienced so much darkness growing up, and music was the only thing that made me feel alive.
How would you describe yourself today?
I am a loyal friend, Pansexual, fierce champion for womxn and LGBTQIA+ rights, touring musician, learning to be patient with my depression and anxiety, an avid therapy advocate (10 years and counting), a recovering addict who is 7.5 years clean, empathetic and vulnerable. Hufflepuff.
When did you start writing songs? What made you want to write songs in the first place?
I started writing songs in my final year at Berklee College of Music. My biggest musical inspirations at that time were Ingrid Michaelson, Sara Bareilles, and Regina Spektor, who used their lyrics in heartbreakingly beautiful ways. I felt seen when I listened to them, and I wanted to do anything in my power to help someone else in that way too. My songwriting style has changed immensely since then, and I am so proud of how much it’s grown.
What made you want to move to Nashville?
I visited Nashville a couple times before I moved here, and loved the pace of things. New England, especially Boston, moves at a faster pace and there is more internal pressure to keep up. Not to say that doesn’t exist in Nashville, it just feels a little different. There also isn’t a good scene for original music in Boston which is where my passion lies.
How did your sound and artistry evolve since your first release?
The more projects I release, the more I delve into the Pop world. My first project was recorded with a full band in a Nashville studio, and the 3 EPs I’ve made since then have been getting less and less analog and more snyth based. After sharing the darker side of my recovery on the Gray Again EP, I wanted the Indigo EP to feel a little more free spirited, almost like a celebration of the progress I’d made so far. This next project is about what life looks like on the other side; all the anger, confusion, pain, grief, relief, joy, transition, waves, maintenance, and processing that goes into recovery. The music reflects that in such an authentic way and I’m extremely proud of that.
"Lovely" is your new single. What's the story behind this song?
I have become so much stronger in recent years, and am finally embracing my power as a woman. So often women are talked about with adjectives like ‘pretty’ and ‘lovely’ instead of ‘brilliant’ and ‘powerful.’ It’s hard to feel like the movement is moving forward when someone is giving you two sides of themselves; telling you they support you while making you feel small. This song is calling out men who hide behind little comments and microaggressions instead of putting in the real work to value and appreciate women. This song oozes with power, and is a representation of the entire women’s movement. “You call it progress then proceed to oppress...Is it our time yet?” With everything that’s been coming to light in recent years, there is an opportunity to progress and I think this song is my way in playing a small part in that.
What did you feel when writing this song? When did you start working on it?
A big part of my recovery process has been letting myself get angry, something I have struggled with throughout my whole life. Tapping into my anger while writing this song was therapeutic for me. Anger is seen as a negative; but sometimes it is the fuel we need to start the fire. To make a change. I came into the writing session for Lovely last March knowing that I needed to get my frustration at the world out through lyrics and song. We knew we had something special the moment we finished the demo.
You worked with Jason Threm for this single. What inspired the production?
This is the third EP that I have made with Jason “Fresh” Threm of TME, and he steps it up a level each time. The production for this song was heavily inspired by the dark pop movement that has been gaining speed in the past year, specifically Billie Eilish. We found an incredible co-writing rhythm, I had never toplined a track before! The only co-writing I had ever done was typical Nashville style where you sit in a room with another songwriter and compose on instruments. As my sound has become more and more in the Pop world, so has my writing. I loved watching Jason build the tracks for this song; he knew the anger I was feeling and did such a brilliant job translating that to production. The lyrics came to me easily while watching him create.
What made you want to release "Lovely" as a single?
We gathered so much momentum after the last project, and had been writing all these truly deep and meaningful songs. We just couldn’t wait to release another one, and Lovely is a powerful angry anthem that I needed to share with the world. I think we all are feeling angry, watching everything that’s happening in our world right now. Music is what connects us; when we share this energy with someone else we feel stronger.
What is your goal for this new single?
My goal with this single is the same as the main reason I started the Sad Girl Music brand; to remind women that vulnerability makes us strong. That emotions are not weaknesses; whether it’s sadness or anger. That there is so much more to us than what they see. That I am a Goddess and I am so much more than Lovely. I am brilliant, powerful, strong, creative, badass, bold, ambitious, inspired, loyal, worthy.
What does it mean for you to be an artist?
Music is the only thing that I’ve ever wanted to do. It feels surreal to be able to do this for a living, and to be able to connect with people through my songs and my vulnerability. I think that’s what music is all about...exposing and processing the parts of ourselves that we label as “bad,” and helping others know that they are never alone. I have had the opportunity to do some touring across the Midwest over the last couple years and am always amazed at the beautiful connections I make with wonderful humans who relate to my music.
As an artist, what are the biggest challenges?
My biggest challenges are internal. I have a really hard time when it comes to comparing myself to other people in the music industry; feeling like I’m slipping behind, like I don’t deserve success, like I’m constantly having to prove my worth. It’s hard to work in an industry that is tied to creativity; there is so much internal pressure and shame we put on ourselves when our path doesn’t look like someone else’s. That’s why I work so hard to release art that is meaningful to me…if I can bring a little light into my life, there’s no telling what it might do for someone else who is having similar struggles.
Do you remember a specific moment in your life where music made a huge difference?
“Keep Breathing” by Ingrid Michaelson saved my life more than once. For a large portion of my life I truly didn’t believe I would still be alive past 18. Repeating the lyrics “All I can do is keep breathing” helped get me through some of the worst of it. I got those lyrics tattooed on my wrist for my 18th birthday. I’m still here. All we can do is keep breathing.
You created a community called Sad Girl Music - could you tell us more about it?
Sad Girl Music is a music promotion and production business dedicated to celebrating the vulnerability and power of womxn, and encouraging mental health awareness. The idea started as a Spotify playlist, and as a joke about what genre of music I play. I started the event Sad Girl Night in September of 2018 at H.O.M.E. in East Nashville, as a full band showcase for some of my favorite female artists in town. It is a safe community to practice empathy and spread love. Sad Girl Music doesn’t always have to be sad; it can be hopeful, angry, passionate, strong, upbeat, slow, happy, filled with self love…it can be whatever you feel because what you feel is always important and always valid! We now have 9 Spotify playlists, regular articles about social justice, a website with local artist spotlight and a local events calendar, and we just announced a new writers round to create more performance opportunities for acoustic acts! I’ve been overwhelmed with the support for this community and can’t wait to keep watching it grow!
Photo credit: Roots of the Rose Photo
How's it like to be a woman in the music industry?
It’s a constant test of your strength and patience. That’s why I work so hard to support the women around me; I think it’s impossible to do this without help. Gender dynamics are in the spotlight right now, and we all have a choice to make. To actively work to make the world a safer place, or take a passive roll and refuse to be held accountable. Even some of the best men I know make mistakes. Progress happens when we acknowledge our mistakes and look at them from a different perspective. It’s a slow process but I see it happening in my community.
What advices would you give to women around the world?
You are a Goddess. You are so much stronger than you think you are. You deserve love; whether it comes from a supportive partner or, more importantly, from yourself. There is no one way to be a woman and femininity can mean anything. Love yourself first. Give yourself the same compliments you would give to your best friend, and then give those same kind words to a stranger. Build each other up. We are all Goddesses.
What message do you want to give to the LGBTQ communities?
You are never alone. You are SO beautiful. The world is so much bigger and brighter than the darkness and isolation that you feel. Your feelings are valid, no matter what they are. You are loved, and I am here. Your coming out story doesn’t have to look the same as someone else’s. You can take your time. Vulnerability is our weapon against shame. You can do this. I believe in you. You are enough.
In your opinion, what would make the world a better place?
Spread love and be kind to one another. We are all beautiful, and we are all fighting our own battles. There is so much darkness in the world, shine a light in your own little corner and let it grow.
What biggest life lessons have you learned so far?
Vulnerability is NOT a weakness! Recovery isn’t linear and doesn’t look the same for everyone. Learning to love yourself takes time. Forgive yourself and keep moving forward.
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