We’re back with another installation of our latest series, TuneCore Tuesdays, which aims to highlight artists and other music professionals who are writing, recording, and hustling on their own terms.
In honor of Women’s History Month, we’re highlighting some of the most influential female artists from the TuneCore community. Whether they’re breaking records, climbing the charts, or inspiring other women to do the same, we believe each and every female artist should be recognized for their hustle. TuneCore Tuesdays aims to empower and inspire our diverse community of artists.
This week we caught up with TuneCore Artist and Latina pop-soul singer Elia Esparaza.
Born in El Paso, Texas, Elia Esparza has paved the way for Latina pop singers alike. Inspired by her love of classic diva vocalists, her strong vocals, heartfelt lyrics, and energetic personality can be heard throughout her songwriting, live performances, and beyond.
“I grew up with music at home all the time. My dad introduced me to everything from Queen to Janice Joplin to Aretha Franklin,” Esparza says. “I would begin to learn the songs when I was nine or ten and it progressed from there because I loved music so much.”
As she got older and began gaining more confidence, Esparza started to learn a lot more about developing her craft. At 17 years old, Esparza attended the New York Conservatory for Dramatic Arts to study acting. While in New York, she took on as many opportunities as she could to continue to learn how to perfect her technique while also performing local gigs with her band.
“I learned a lot and it gave me a lot of exposure and inspiration,” she says. “Essentially being an artist is being a storyteller. I think acting and music go hand in hand in that sense.”
Several years later, the singer’s perseverance and hard work began to pay off. Esparza made it into the national music spotlight when she caught the attention of NBC The Voice’s vocal coaches when she auditioned in 2016.
“When I finally got on The Voice, it really changed my life because it gave me a sense of credibility. My audition went viral and got over five million views, which gave me so much confidence as both a singer and a Latino woman,” she shares.
Since then, the El Pasoan native has kept up with performing and perfecting her craft through writing, recording, and making videos to connect with her fans. Her appearance on The Voice has led to endless opportunities for Esparza’s career, including opening for artists like Nicky Jam and singing the national anthem at the Raiders game in Oakland a few years back.
“My advice for artists who are up and coming who want to break into the scene would be to start with what you have. I just had an iPhone 4 and started making covers on YouTube. I didn’t know that would lead to a lot of discovering who I am and what I have to put out there,” Esparza shares.
When Esparaza released her first EP, she admits she had no idea how to get started with distributing her music. That’s when she decided to use TuneCore.
“When I first started I had no idea where to start, especially as an independent artist. TuneCore really was there to help guide me through that journey,” she shares. “It’s really helped me pursue my dreams and get my music out there. It’s really opened the doors for independent artists to be in control of their own music.”
“You’re going to progress and learn that way so don’t let doubt or fear stop you,” she says. “One song can change your world, so what are you waiting for?”
Tags: artist spotlight featuring tunecore tuesdays women's history month