Emily Elbert

Emily Elbert is a Texas-raised, California-dwelling songwriter who sings from the intersection of self and spirit. With her new single, “God is Change,” she explores unceasing cycles of life and death, arriving at a deep sense of surrender. The song’s confessional quality balances raw psychedelic soul with Laurel Canyon folk-rock, and a titular nod to sci-fi author Octavia Butler. “Feed my form into the flame / knowing I’ll be born again,” Elbert sang - lyrics that grew in poignant intimacy when wildfires ravaged her home and adopted hometown of Altadena. Through tragedy, however, Emily’s music retains its center, finding balance between the reverent and rebellious; the Earthly and ethereal; soul-searching while softly secure in itself. Emily has honed her artistic practice on the road, playing independent solo shows from Peru to Palestine, and opening for songwriters like Norah Jones and Emily King. But she has also become a sought-after musical collaborator, playing in the touring bands of luminary artists Leon Bridges, Jacob Collier, Esperanza Spalding, Jenny Lewis, and Amos Lee - and performing with the likes of Beyoncé, Gwen Stefani, Sara Bareilles, and Lorde. These wide-ranging experiences feed into her music today. Inspired by her peers, but anchored by what L.A. Weekly calls her “funky, engrossing groove,” Elbert's adept musicality and soulful perspective remain distinctly her own.