Exclusive Interview: Eloise Alterman Talks Sad Bird EP, Tapping Into Her Vulnerability, and More

Eloise Alterman is a rising singer-songwriter who has taken the industry by storm. Her music captures the subtlest nuances of heartache and loss, each delivered with breathtaking vocals. It’s her vulnerability and authenticity that has connected with listers around the globe and made her one of the breakout artists of 2022. Pop Culturalist was lucky enough to speak with Eloise about her journey to landing her first record deal, her new EP Sad Bird (The Hurting Phase), and more.

PC: How did you discover your passion for music?
Eloise: I always loved music as a child. I was doing it pretty much all the time. I love karaoke. I’m sure my parents wanted to smash the karaoke machine because they were so over me singing into that thing all day. I eventually taught myself how to play piano and guitar later on. Then I started writing. But my passion really started when I felt a need for music in terms of how it helps me make sense of my feelings and emotions and let go of them. I always loved music, but once I started to need it in a way that was for my own wellbeing, that’s when I decided that it’s all I wanted to do.

PC: You moved to Nashville shortly after finishing high school. How has that city shaped the artist that you are today? Was that a difficult decision to relocate to a city where you had zero connections?
Eloise: It was really difficult. I was really scared, but the only thing that made me excited was that I got to do music and I didn’t have to go to college. When I got there, it was a huge learning experience. It made me grow up really quickly because all of a sudden I had just skipped four years of college and was already in the real world. I was so young; I was only seventeen years old. But because of that there were a lot of life experiences that I had before some of the other people I had left behind in Michigan. But that also made it really difficult to come back into those friendships because we were all in such different places in our lives.

But music-wise, it really helped my songwriting because I was singing about things that most seventeen-year-olds don’t sing about. I was catapulted into the adult world. I learned a lot about loneliness in those years. That was really important in my development. But it was also really, really difficult. I was really young. I can’t believe my parents sent their little girl out there. But only lessons came from it. It made me a better person. It taught me how to be alone with myself because for the first two years I didn’t have any friends. I didn’t know anyone. I was doing everything in my power to make my dream happen without my parents sending me back home because it didn’t work out. I was hustling as best as I could.

PC: Tell us about the inspiration behind your debut EP Sad Bird.
Eloise: It’s called Sad Bird (The Hurting Phase) because it was truly my hurting phase from a breakup. It was the initial feeling that I had immediately after having my heart broken. It was such a shocker to me how quickly I was unraveling before my own eyes after having everything together. It was such a traumatic experience for me. I was so surprised how quickly someone could fall apart and how difficult it is to come back to yourself. The songs came from the broken place of a girl who was trying her best to feel better again. In every corner, it wasn’t working. There was a lot of hurt and a lot of mistrust.

As time goes on, you start to feel better. You start to hope again. There’s a song called “Seasons.” It’s about me waiting for time to heal all. The whole group of songs is very vulnerable. It’s really about me getting back to myself and feeling better again.

PC: Has it always been easy for you to tap into that vulnerability?
Eloise: Day to day and in my personal life, not at all. My personality actually contradicts my music. But when I’m writing, it’s the chance to let those things go—because as a child I would bottle so much up, but I never would check in on myself. Then there would be an explosion where I’m like, “Why am I having a panic attack?” It’s because I’m faking that I’m okay for so many months on end. Writing has been amazing. It’s been a beautiful outlet for me where I’ve been able to articulate those deep, dark feelings that I have and let them go. That’s why I’m really thankful for songwriting and for the opportunity to do it as a job. It’s not easy to talk about my feelings. It feels very vulnerable. I let the music speak for itself. When I write it, I truly don’t hide anything.

Pop Culturalist Speed Round

PC: A band or artist that fans would be surprised to learn is on your playlist?
Eloise: Cigarettes After Sex. I listen to them alot. Norah Jones is another one that’s on my playlist. She really relaxes the crippling anxiety that I face every day.

PC: First album you bought?
Eloise: Hilary Duff.

PC: First concert you attended?
Eloise: This is going to show my age but it was Hannah Montana.

PC: A venue on your bucket list to perform at?
Eloise: Fox Theater.

PC: A must-have on the road?
Eloise: Healthy food and makeup light.

To keep up with Eloise, follow her on Twitter, Instagram, Spotify, and Apple Music. Pick up or stream Sad Bird (The Hurting Phase) today.

Photo Credit: Caity Krone