BY NOW YOU HAVE SURELY SEEN THE AMAZING FOOTAGE FROM ELLE KING’S RECENT “A-FREAKIN’ MEN” TOUR PRESENTED BY SLOW& LOW… IT HAS BEEN A ROCKIN’ GOOD TIME AND WE GOT TO SIT AND SIP WITH ELLE AND TALK ABOUT IT…
ELLE, THIS WAS YOUR FIRST HEADLINING TOUR SUPPORTING YOUR COME GET YOUR WIFE ALBUM. WHAT WERE SOME OF THE HIGHLIGHTS?
This was my first tour supporting my first full length country album, Come Get Your Wife. called it the “A-Freakin-Men tour” because this new musical chapter felt like such a blessing, and it was probably one of the craziest tours of my life. I didn’t know what to expect and I felt a lot of pressure because I didn’t want to let any of my fans down that like my music for my blues or my rock or my pop. I also really wanted to make a space and invite all of the country fans, and kind of bridge that gap to show everybody that this really isn’t anything too far-fetched from any other album that I would make. This is just the music that I feel so inspired to make now. It was incredible and very fulfilling and validating. Sometimes you get markers in life and realize that you are on the right track of where you’re supposed to be in life, and I felt that the tour was one of those for me.
YOUR MUSIC INCORPORATES SO MANY GENRES. HOW DOES THAT MANIFEST ITSELF IN YOUR AUDIENCE DURING A LIVE SHOW?
I never play the same set twice, so when we talk about the different genres that I fit into my life and my live show, I always just vibe off the audience. I feel like a good performer listens and feels and reads the room along with everyone else. I always try to tailor the show to show each specific room and crowd.
YOUR VIDEOS ARE SO MUCH FUN. HOW DO YOU COME UP WITH THE CONCEPTS?
Music videos were something that were pretty daunting for me. I think I put a lot of pressure on myself and I think that the reason that I didn’t find them joyful was because I wasn’t much a part of the creative side. I’m a creative person and I am fueled by creativity. So, when it came time to start making music videos for ComeGet Your Wife, I said that I wanted to play characters. I want to share andI want to enjoy every aspect of this process. I want to show people every facet of my personality because I put it all out there in my music, and music videos are an extension of that. I think sometimes I get a weird inspiration for a music video from a song, and I just run with it.
NOW THAT THE “A-FREAKIN-MEN" TOUR PRESENTED BY SLOW & LOW IS WRAPPING UP, WHAT ARE YOU EXCITED ABOUT NEXT?
I’m excited about festival season. I can’t wait to bring out some new outfits and travel all around and be outside. That’s what I’m most excited about, I get to be outside.
WHAT DID YOU THINK ABOUT THAT CUSTOM SLOW & LOW x ELLE KING LEATHER BACKDROP AND GUITAR STRAP FROM LOCKELAND LEATHER IN NASHVILLE? HAVE YOU FOUND USE FOR IT YET?
I loved it. I used the strap every single night at every single show. It’s so beautiful and it’s really comfortable. I actually get really bad pain in my shoulders becauseI picked heavy instruments, especially my SG guitar. I also use it on my banjo which sometimes feels like it weighs 50 pounds. I was very touched by that gift, it was beautiful. Thank you!
HOW DO YOU LIKE TO DRINK SLOW & LOW?
I personally l like to drink Slow & Low. I looove the coffee old fashion, I never was an old-fashion person. But then I had the Coffee Old-Fashioned. At first I was like, “What is this?!” But nowI have to try and not drink it in the morning cuz I get confused. It’s so delicious. But my personal favorite way, because I’m a singer I like to drink warm liquid, so I like to make my version of a hot toddy. When people see me and think I might be drinking tea on stage, they’re wrong cuz it’s whiskey babe. It’s Slow & Low.
WHAT ARE YOUR TOP 3 FAVORITE WHISKEY DRINKING SONGS?
You only need one favorite and mine is called “I’m Not Drunk I’m Just Drinkin' " by Mack AllenSmith and we play it in my set and I recorded it for my Apple Music Session.
AS AN ACCOMPLISHED ARTIST, MUSICIAN, TOURING MOM, DO YOU HAVE ANY PARTING ADVICE FORTHE SLOW & LOW AUDIENCE?
My parting advice is - and this is something I’m learning to do - enjoy it. And drink at a concert, or drink around a fire with friends and enjoy a cocktail because they are so delicious. I like to drink them with my family while we laugh and tell stories. You know, sometimes I don’t always get to see my family, so when they come backstage we always get to have a little pre-show drink together and talk about silly stories and embarrassing stuff, and things we laugh about. So that’s my favorite way to enjoy it is with friends or family, laughing. Cheers to that.
