ELVIRA KALNIK

How would you classify your music?

That’s an interesting question. I came from pop to opera, than to eclectic music when I experimented a lot and mixed opera vocals with electronica. Now, I returned back to pop, which is mostly electronic music. When I studied opera, my teacher used to call me “Opera Diva with rock n roll mind”. I don’t know about the “Diva”, but my mind is definitely more on EDM side.

Who are some of your top 5 musical influences?

I love so many musicians that it’s not easy to choose 5. The most highlighted for me are Bjork, Madonna, Prodigy, Depeche Mode, Michael Jackson…The one who really “kicked” me to the point that I wrote my first song and released an album a year later, was George Michael. I was devastated when he left this world.

What do you want fans to take from your music?

As a human, I want to share all range of feelings that people can relate to and I express them in my songs. Mostly, I focus on uplifting and positive vibes. It shows in my new album “Magical Child”, which was born in Vegas, but didn’t stay in Vegas. It’s started with realization that we all are children that grew up and changed our toys. Some of these toys aren’t very friendly, because they were created by people that desire power and control of others. When we were small, we were pure and innocent. Then we adapted some kinds of beliefs that we’re not good enough, that we have to compete, that we have to do something to please parents, teachers, society and so on and on.

My album “Magical Child” is a little reminder that everyone has own magical child inside, which is uniqueness and naked creativity. Everyone has unique talents and unique ways to express these talents. That’s why we’re actually here, on this planet. Life is beautiful, and everything is simple if we don’t make it difficult. As I wrote in my song “Just Dance With It”, “Everything’s possible if you will put your mind into it. Everything’s possible, and if it’s not, if it’s not easy, just dance with it”.

How’s the music scene in your locale?

It’s not easy to say, because I’ve been traveling and changing my locations all the time.

Now, I’m located in Pennsylvania, which has all kinds of genres. Mostly, this is a place for country, jazz and rock music.

What is the best concert you have been to? 

One of my favorite was Depeche Mode. I was a huge fan of them when I was a teen, and until that day, I love listening to their music.

What do you like most about playing live?

Entertainment! That’s what people go to concerts for. I like entertain people and share energy.

It feels so awesome to create connection with people. 

I remember a women came crying to me after my performance saying that one of my songs just changed her life.  Even if only one person will be happy after a concert, it’s worth it.

Is there a song on your latest CD release here that stands out as your personal favorite, and why?  

I love all my songs. It’s not easy to choose one. Probably the one that shows more of my personality is “Life is Beautiful”.

“Monday morning, or Saturday night,

Celebrate every day of your life.

Smell of roses will give you a smile,

Every day is your day. Walk another mile.

Life is beautiful. You just got to see

How a ball of moon is being carried by the sea,

How a humming bird dances with a rose,

How the sunshine plays with rainy drops…”

How have you evolved as an artist over the last year?

After my album “Magical Child” came out, I released music videos of my songs “Summer Time”, “Just Dance With It”, “For Crying Out Loud”. I was involved with other projects as well. I wrote music for “Fox Land” project of Nina Pichugina and collaborated as a coauthor, producer and back vocalist for Ron Ray. Besides music, I’ve published a book “Practical Universal Knowledge” and wrote an 8 week program for performers and public speakers that experience stage fright.

If you could meet, play a gig, co-write a song, have dinner, have a drink with any band or artist (dead or alive) who would it be?  

Despite the fact that I would love to meet all of my favorite musicians, I would probably be very happy to meet Madonna. She’s really a beautiful, talented, strong, smart and great artist and woman. I’m sure there’s a lot I could learn from her.

What’s next for you? 

My mom likes to say that I write songs as fast as mushrooms grow. I wrote couple of new songs and am in constant production process. There’s going to be something even more deep and personal, but still, I refuse to give up my magical child. I just love it that way, and people love it too.

End of Interview