Photograph by Ryan Musick
Elliot’s advice to aspiring musicians: “Let life experiences shape you and your music.”
Growing up in St. Louis, Phoebe Elliot was surrounded by music. Her parents took her to the symphony, The Sheldon, Opera Theatre of Saint Louis… In high school, she’d set up a keyboard on the Delmar Loop and busk. These days, she lives in Nashville and performs “pop with a heavy dose of folk roots and soul thrown in.” Her single “Ghosts Roam This Town” won two Independent Music Awards, and she recently released a new album, Beating of My Heart, produced by Deanna Walker. SLM recently caught up with her to talk about life on- and offstage.
How did your love for performing start?
When I was in elementary school at Community School, the theater teacher, Caroline Zarinelli, wrote and directed musicals every year. She was a fantastic teacher and believed in me—even at that age, when I was a rambunctious and fidgety child who couldn’t sit still for more than a minute. I remember, after one show, she said to my parents, “I think we’ve created a monster.”
Do you have any good-luck charms when performing?
When I performed at Lincoln Center last fall, my mom gave me a necklace with three charms: my paternal grandmother’s mother-of-pearl pocket knife, my maternal grandmother’s baby rings, and a small Buddha charm from my great-grandmother. I always put it on before a show—and I always take a few deep breaths.
How does your style differ on- and offstage?
I love playing with my style, but comfort is always important. If I feel good onstage—and, most importantly, if I feel like my genuine self—that translates to confidence onstage. I usually wear dark skinny jeans, a fun top, and jewelry when I perform. And I love heels! I am 6-foot-2, and I like to own that onstage. My fashion style in everyday life is not too far from that—though I tend to skip the heels.
