Katie Elle

Alto Vocalist

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1 Review
Katie Elle on SoundBetter

As a recording and performing artist I've worked on projects in various genres from country, bluegrass and folk to electronic. Described as warm and comforting as well as sassy and soulful, my rich alto voice is one of depth and passion; think Patsy Cline & Bonnie Raitt. I can deliver lead vocals, doubles, harmony and adlib parts. Cheers!

I embraced percussion and vocal performance in my youth and became a member of the acclaimed Pittsburgh Heritage Gospel Chorale as an adult. After moving to Arizona, I began writing and releasing my own music. I continue to work with a wide variety of artists: writing, recording and releasing music. While versatile, I definitely have a unique sound so please do take a listen to the audio I’ve included in my profile! I also perform classic country/Americana music touring southern Arizona as one half of a musical duo. I want to make sure I'm a fit for your project, so send me a message describing what you need, and we'll go from there.

My specialty:
+rich alto vocals, raw and edited, to fit your unique sound

Tell me about your project and how I can help, through the 'Contact' button above.

Languages

  • English

1 Reviews

Endorse Katie Elle
  1. Review by Ray Brice
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    by Ray Brice

    I have been working with Katie Elle for 2 years now on various projects. Her voice continues to captivate me. Typically, we work on country and folk music but she has a sensitivity and soul to her voice that really shines through in any genre. She is also a phenomenal lyricist and her songwriting is top notch. She is reliable and detail oriented and just a true pleasure to work with.

Interview with Katie Elle

  1. Q: Tell us about a project you worked on you are especially proud of and why. What was your role?

  2. A: Mad Love is a track Rod Carillo and I worked on. I toplined on that one and recorded all the vocals. Just a soulful little number. We also have a handful of remixes that hit hard.

  3. Q: Is there anyone on SoundBetter you know and would recommend to your clients?

  4. A: For sure!

  5. Q: Analog or digital and why?

  6. A: Digital all the way! It's all I know so I'm biased yes, but with the ease of use I can't imagine doing it any other way.

  7. Q: What's your 'promise' to your clients?

  8. A: I am at a stage in my career where I can and will put the utmost care into your project. I will work closely with you to get something unique we can both be proud of.

  9. Q: What do you like most about your job?

  10. A: It is a true joy to be able to create on unique projects and then hear that what you've done in it's final stage. Seeing hat can be done with a raw vocal and how a track can really pop in the end. Magic

  11. Q: What questions do customers most commonly ask you? What's your answer?

  12. A: People always ask what other artists I sound like or what my style is. I'd say, Patsy Cline or Bonnie Raitt: slow, soulful and smooth is my forte.

  13. Q: What's the biggest misconception about what you do?

  14. A: Good question, there are a lot of those, haha but I'd say how much professionalism and business skills you really need to possess along with the your musical craft to be successful.

  15. Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

  16. A: I would ask you for some example tracks or vocalists to get an idea of the sound you're going for.

  17. Q: What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?

  18. A: Make sure to cover all the bases and ask all the questions beforehand so we know we're gonna be a good fit for each other. Be honest as to

  19. Q: What was your career path? How long have you been doing this?

  20. A: I went to a musical school growing up and sang and played percussion for many years. I stepped out of the music world to pursue environmental sustainability and worked in organic farming for many years. After some major life events, I knew I needed to start singing again and found a home with the acclaimed Pittsburgh Heritage Gospel Chorale in Pittsburgh, PA. Then, after moving to Tucson, Arizona I started writing my own songs and making music with James Chris who has become one of my favorite people. We released a few house tracks together and I've released with others as well along the way. I am also lucky to have a musical partner to tour southern AZ with playing classic country music and indie folk classics. I've also released a handful of my own tunes under the name Katie Elle. It's been quite a grab bag and a whole lot of fun!

  21. Q: How would you describe your style?

  22. A: My personal songwriter style is soulful Americana

  23. Q: Which artist would you like to work with and why?

  24. A: Anyone who wants to make something super unique/atypical yet an amazing collab. I love it when artists mix divergent genres seamlessly. The track 'Electric Life' by Azizi Gibson and Hippie Sabotage is a great example with the opera singers adding the main backing vocal. They just make the track.

  25. Q: Can you share one music production tip?

  26. A: Try and not overproduce the vocals because rather than sounding better, they may just sound different.

  27. Q: What type of music do you usually work on?

  28. A: Folk, Americana, Country, House, Electronic, House

  29. Q: What's your strongest skill?

  30. A: Maybe you can help me figure that out!

  31. Q: What do you bring to a song?

  32. A: I would approach your work knowing it is one of a kind and tailoring my performance to match your goals for the song. Your project would be handled with care and consideration.

  33. Q: What's your typical work process?

  34. A: I take time before recording to get into the right headspace and character for the performance. I'll run through the song a number of times the day before recording because the following day it's easier to get in the zone to record. If I receive an instrumental track to topline on I also go into it very intentional, preparing myself before I even listen to the track. Then, I press play and let it flow. Guided by the music I use imagery that comes to mind to craft a lyric that fits the vibe of the song.

  35. Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

  36. A: I practice, write, and record in a conditioned room made just for the music and vibes. I am blessed to be able to have a beautiful space in my home to create.

  37. Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?

  38. A: Singers and songwriters that can tap into raw emotion and express it fully whether that be pure joy, or the opposite, and those with a sensitivity to their voices showing vulnerability, not just the power vocal so many admire. I have always loved and been inspired by the raw creativity and honesty of Bonnie Raitt and Tori Amos.

  39. Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.

  40. A: I deliver quality alto vocals, including: lead, harmony, adlibs etc. I also topline on a case by case basis.

  41. Q: What are you working on at the moment?

  42. A: I'm continually building my catalog. Right now, I'm laying down vocals for a country song I wrote. Building out all the layers, dbls, harmony, adlibs, octaves, maybe a gang vox.

  43. Q: If you were on a desert island and could take just 5 pieces of gear, what would they be?

  44. A: laptop mic headphones interface notebook/paper

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Mad Love, Quittin Time, Owned by the Night, Happy Place

I was the Singer/Topliner in this production

Terms Of Service

I offer one revision after project delivery date. Typical turn-around for vocals is 2 weeks. I retain 50% of songs I write, unless we negotiate otherwise. Refunds not available after work has begun.

GenresSounds Like
  • Bonnie Raitt
  • Patsy Cline
  • Suzy Bogguss
Gear Highlights
  • LogicPro
  • MacBook Pro
  • Audio-Technica Mic and Headphones
More Photos
SoundBetter Deal

50% OFF to my first 5 clients