Hometown: Little Rock, AK

Homebase: Nashville, TN

What was the first song you ever wrote about?

When I was 12, I had taken a handful of guitar lessons but never thought about being a singer or a songwriter. One afternoon I was asking my parents if I could go to a rock concert in downtown Little Rock (when actually that meant I was wanting to go drink beer and smoke cigarettes with 17 year old boys), and they told me I could not go. I was so angry at them that I 'ran away from home.' I got about a mile down the road and sat in some cul-de-sac just loving the thought of them being scared and out looking for me.

A few hours went by and I was getting cold and bored and eventually I walked back home. I found my parents exactly as I had left them: my dad reading and my mom doing things around the house. I was soooo mad that I had not worried them after the horrible banning of the concert they had done to me that I ran up to my room and slammed the door. My guitar was sitting on my bed and I grabbed it then locked myself in my bathroom. I had never thought about writing a song before, and it was just an impulse. I got out a notebook and wrote a song called "Big House" about feeling alone and sad in a big house. From that day on, I was hooked.

The Token has been deemed neo-country. What are your thoughts on the idea of neo-country? How would you describe the sound of the record?

I feel like my music has always had elements of country through use of plainspoken lyrics and a bit of a draw in my voice, but it's never been straight-up country music. I think genre terms like neo-country, Americana, alt-country, get used when an artist has country elements to their sound, but you wouldn't classify it as a traditional country record.

The Token for the most part is raw and live feeling. Going into making the record, my producer Sam Kassirer wanted recordings that could be something I could pull off on the road with a four-piece band. We kept it pretty electric guitar heavy throughout which was different for me, and I ended up really loving it. I like the focus in my recordings to be on the words and the story I am telling.

I read that working on The Token "was one of the coolest experiences" for you. Take us back to that time and can you talk about what it was like recording in Maine?

I had never worked with a producer before, and it was a completely different experience. He was in charge of gathering the band he thought would be the best fit for the songs and he couldn't have done a better job. The drummer is Matt McCaughan (Bon Iver, bass was done by Bradley Cook (Sharon Van Etten, Indigo Girls), and the guitar player Josh Kaufman (The National, Bob Weir), and my producer Sam Kassirer played keys and is also the keys player in Josh Ritter's band. It was a dream team for me.

So, I was flying to Maine for the first time as well as meeting all of them in person for the first time. When I got there it was January. The studio was in a cabin about an hour and a half out into the woods with nothing around but trees and snow. We holed up there for 10 days where we would wake up, eat together, rehearse for a couple hours, take a break, drink some whiskey, and record until as late as we wanted. No cell phone reception. No distractions. Just in a beautiful place with the purpose of making a great record. It was one of the best experiences of my life.

What was your most memorable song to work on?

Honestly, all of the songs have their own little memorable moments for me. This is a deeply personal record that came from my life experiences, so as I worked on each it was like reliving that experience.

One that stands out in particular though is "I Just Want Your Love". I wrote it just before playing SXSW last year, and I got a really strong crowd reaction playing it live for the first time. It made us stop the press on the vinyl to cut it for The Token. I can't imagine it not being on the record now.

What makes it easier for you to write your feelings through lyrics rather than expressing them in general?

I am not sure exactly! haha. As I mentioned earlier I found songwriting as an angsty upset 12 year old and felt such a release from expressing myself that way. It came naturally to me and ever since that age I have used writing songs to help better understand things I am going through or to move past things. To me it is just like a journal. But I guess in my case a journal I share with everyone!

What is your favorite song on the album to preform right now?

It changes, but as of right now I think "Right Way To Ask Me" is the most fun. I have been touring with a few band mates who sing harmonies and we have been doing the three part harmony on the chorus, which I think always adds to the experience of performance. Also there is a really long instrumental break in the song and its fun to hear what different band mates do on different nights in that section.

Nashville is known for its music scene, how has the city influenced your music or approach to it?

I love the culture of songwriting you feel from Nashville. It was unlike anything I had experienced being from Arkansas where there is virtually no music industry. Nashville thrives off it, and there are so many opportunities, and competition, and amazing talent everywhere. It is a truly an exciting place to live as a musician and really keeps you on your toes.

"Penny" is not only a great song but is about the no strings attached kind of arrangement, what inspired you to write it?

Thank you! All of my songs are pretty much just true stories from my life. At that time I was casually involved with a cute man and that was all either of us wanted. It was exciting and fun. Growing up in the south, there is a lot of criticism towards women's sexuality. There is an inherent guilt you are taught to feel about being sexually free and unmarried. "Penny" celebrates the act of casual relationships.

What inspired the handing out of free lighters?

It was actually my manager Josh Talley's idea and I loved it! I just love the thought of people having a small thing to take with them from shows that also offers four free songs. And they can use it to light their joints or their candles!

What's your definition of success?

My definition of success is making art that I believe in and I am proud of. Regardless of where my career takes me, I want to look back on my life and think, I made some pretty badass records!

What's next for Elise Davis?

I am currently writing for my next record and preparing to get out on the road again in a few weeks. I am going to spend 2017 touring as much as possible and writing for my next album. If I am coming your way come have a beer with me!

For more profiles on up-and-coming artists, visit our Artist of the Day page.