Growing up around Denver, Colorado, Elle Harper always knew there was something different about the way music made her feel. As a kid, she was sensitive and sometimes struggled with feeling like she fit in. But whenever she stepped onstage, everything seemed to change.
Performing was one of the few places where Elle never felt like she had to figure out how to act or who people wanted her to be. She could simply sing and be herself. Onstage, she felt confident, connected, and like she had a purpose.
Her family noticed her connection to music early, giving her the opportunity to start performing at a young age. By her early teens, Elle was already singing at coffee shops, talent shows, and larger stages. At just 12 years old, she performed at Red Rocks. Around 13, she opened for Nickelback at Cheyenne Frontier Days, made it through several rounds of America’s Got Talent, and by 14, one of her songs had been used as a UFC walkout song.
Those experiences gave Elle opportunities that most young artists could only dream about, but growing up in music at such a young age also came with its challenges. She was often one of the youngest people in the rooms she entered, making it difficult to completely fit in with the older musicians around her. At the same time, returning to people her own age could feel different because music had already become such a major part of her life.
She found herself somewhere in between — still a kid, but taking her music seriously. Through it all, music remained the one place where she consistently felt like herself.
Elle began writing songs around the age of nine. Her first song was about being bullied in fourth grade, which says a lot about the way she still approaches songwriting today. When something affects her, she turns it into music.
That ability to transform real experiences into songs has remained at the center of her artistry.
Her musical influences are just as diverse as her personality. Adele was one of her earliest inspirations. In fact, there are videos of Elle at just four years old wearing a Cinderella dress and singing Adele songs. Adele helped her understand the emotional power of a voice and how much feeling one person can communicate through a song.
Her father introduced her to The Cure when she was around 10, opening the door to a completely different sound and atmosphere. She also found inspiration in Melanie Martinez and her ability to combine storytelling, visuals, and music into one complete world.
Although those artists come from very different musical spaces, that variety makes sense for Elle. She has never been overly concerned with fitting perfectly into one genre. What matters most to her is whether a song makes her feel something.
Elle describes her sound as indie singer-songwriter, but she doesn’t want the label to limit where she can go creatively. Her voice is her main instrument, and emotion is at the center of how she approaches a song.
For Elle, the goal isn’t for every song to have the same production or instrumentation. Instead, she wants her identity to come through in the way she writes, tells stories, and delivers them. As long as listeners can recognize those elements, she feels free to experiment and grow without worrying about breaking the rules of what an Elle Harper song is supposed to sound like.
Growing up around Denver, many of her favorite memories are connected to music. Coffee shops, breweries, farmers markets, and small venues became some of her most familiar places. Rather than traditional hangout spots, Elle often found herself wherever there was an opportunity to sing.
Music was also how she socialized when she was younger, making many of her childhood memories inseparable from the places where she performed.
That same personal approach to songwriting continues with her newest release, “With Love.”
The song came from what Elle describes as a pretty terrible date. What started as a ridiculous night involving a long Grateful Dead listening session and being shushed for talking eventually turned into something much more meaningful.
While sitting through the date, Elle began thinking about what it really means to know another person. Someone can tell you their secrets, but that doesn’t necessarily mean you truly know them. To Elle, there is something much more intimate about knowing someone over time, seeing their vulnerable and imperfect sides, and still choosing to carry those things with love.
That idea became the heart of “With Love.”
The song keeps some of the playful and sarcastic energy of the experience that inspired it, but underneath that is a genuine question about what it means to truly know and care for somebody.
Elle isn’t slowing down anytime soon. Her next release, “Temporary Tattoo,” is already in the works, with visuals currently being created. The song takes a softer approach, focusing on the small things someone does when nobody else is watching that can make another person feel seen and appreciated.
As she continues creating, Elle is also learning more about who she is as an artist. Instead of waiting until she has everything perfectly figured out, she’s discovering Elle Harper by actually doing the work — writing songs, creating visuals, experimenting, and seeing where the music takes her.
Behind that journey is a strong group of people who have helped her along the way.
Her friend Josh Shanks has played a major role in bringing the visual side of Elle Harper to life, helping her look beyond the music itself and think about how her songs can translate visually. Peter Morado produced “With Love,” helping turn the original demo into the finished record, while Ali Moore added the lower harmonies that brought another layer of depth to the song. BMO handled the final master.
Her best friend Alessia has also been a major part of the journey, joining her for countless music experiences and encouraging her to stop being afraid and pursue music seriously.
And through every version of Elle’s journey, her mother has remained her biggest cheerleader and rock.
