Today we’d like to introduce you to Elena Goddard.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
Okay, so an outline of my story without all the juicy details – I grew up in northern British Columbia, Canada (think Seattle, then drive north 15 hours) on a cattle farm. My mom homeschooled me and my five other siblings and had us all in music lessons from a young age, making it a strong part of our upbringing. I played classical piano as well as multiple other instruments, and began songwriting when I was ten – hiding the songwriting abilities from everyone because I was too scared to sing.
While searching for schools, I found Berklee College of Music and knew I had to go there, since they were one of the only schools that offered music training and business skills on such a contemporary level. After two auditions, I finally got in, packed up my bags and moved to Boston to study piano, music business, and songwriting.
During my second year of college, I interned in New York, where I met a producer and wrote songs for artists they were producing. I recorded demos in the studio that were meant to be re-recorded by “actual singers”, but at one point the producers left my vocals on the tracks, saying they loved the tone. It gave me this, “screw what I thought – I’m good enough to sing my own stuff” moment. In the upcoming year (2016), I recorded my debut EP, in 2017, I signed a music-management and recording deal, mid-2017, my USA visa expired and I had to return back to Canada, early 2018, I terminated my music deal, got a new visa on my own and moved back to the United States east coast, and by March 2018, I began recording new music for the first time in two years.
The new music I’ve been working on comes out mid-September!
Has it been a smooth road?
If the road is smooth, it’s probably a boring journey and no one would want to watch the movie of your life. Haha. I’m just here to make a good movie in the end.
Advice to other young women? No, I don’t know their story or where they’re coming from. But advice to my younger self when I was beginning would be:
1. Be aware of your social and childhood conditioning. The narrative is beginning to change, but our parents, media, and this culture presents us with the idea that we have to act a certain way, that mens’ opinions are more legitimate than womens’, that the thoughts of others actually matter, etc…
If we don’t become aware of these beliefs, we can’t dismantle them and they affect all our future choices.
2. Realize limits in any industry only exist if we agree with them. I’ve had countless music-industry veterans tell me that certain things would never work and that there was no market for it, and then the next big artist was the one who did just that. There are literally no boundaries and edges when it comes to creating the life you want, however those who can’t imagine it are going to try to stop you from imagining it too.
3. Don’t let yourself be hardened in an attempt to seem strong. In this world – especially in industries such as music where men are gatekeepers to success, it seemed like my options were to either be taken advantage of or to be a badass who men see as an equal (which required hiding any femininity or vulnerability). It’s taken a few years for me to stop building my character as a reaction to those around me.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with your business – tell our readers more, for example, what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
I’m a songwriter and singer. If you wanna put me in a box, it could be the “alternative-pop genre” one. My approach to songwriting is to be completely honest and live out all my fantasies and ideas. I used to think I had to use my music to help people, but what an arrogant thought. Why am I trying to help others if I can’t even help myself? So, the goal of my art is to express myself as authentically as I can and live my most authentic life. That’s all I can do – maybe others will see me thriving and healing and happy and decide to do the same things themselves.
There’s a wealth of academic research that suggests that lack of mentors and networking opportunities for women has materially affected the number of women in leadership roles. Smart organizations and industry leaders are working to change this, but in the meantime, do you have any advice for finding a mentor and building a network?
Ask everyone questions, while also trusting that you know what’s best for yourself. Ask people you admire about their personal stories – not just business moves. When I would attend networking events or meet people, I used to always ask them how they got where they were, and many of the things that assisted them aren’t relevant anymore or don’t exist (especially in entertainment where different modes of consumption completely change the industry almost overnight).
Anyone can find a job in a certain industry, and with enough work can climb that ladder. But what’s the end goal? What were they searching for? Ask your mentors what’s made them happiest along their journey, what they’d redo if given the chance, and what they see in you as your strengths and opportunities.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.elenagoddard.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elenagoddard/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/goddardelena/
Image Credit:
Chad Kamenshine
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