For our Emerging Artist Spotlight, we caught up with Elyse Aeryn, a Cape Breton-born artist whose unique blend of rock, country, pop, and soul is carving out a distinctive sound in the music scene. Known for her powerful live shows, rich voice, and soulful songwriting, Elyse has quickly earned recognition in the industry with an East Coast Music Award (ECMA) nomination and two Music Nova Scotia award wins. Her journey, about leaving her career as a chemical engineer to pursue her true passion for music, has been nothing short of inspiring. Elyse opened up about the challenges she’s overcome, how her music resonates with the community, her “this is it” moment, and what’s next in her evolving career.
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Spotlight on Business: Tell us a little about yourself and your ties to Nova Scotia.
Elyse Aeryn: I was born and raised on Cape Breton Island. I went to school here, but as soon as I had the chance to leave, I moved to Halifax. I thought I’d never want to come back. I went to university, got a degree in chemical engineering, then quickly moved to New Brunswick. From there, I ended up in Toronto and eventually in the U.S., working in the pulp and paper industry. Some time after that, I figured out who I really was and surprisingly, found myself back where I started – on Cape Breton Island. It’s a place I never thought I’d return to, doing something I never thought I’d do – and here I am!
Spotlight on Business: What do you like to do in your spare time when you are not writing music or on stage?
EA: That’s a funny question for me because when music was just a hobby, it took up every second of my life outside of work – I was always writing, booking shows, performing, or playing with friends. But now that music is my work, I make time for other things too – life can’t be all about one thing. A few years ago, I got my motorcycle license and bought a Honda Shadow 750, and it’s become my favourite summertime hobby. Living on Cape Breton Island, I only get a few months a year to ride, but my partner and I make the most of it – it’s one of our favourite things to do together. I also love going to live music shows and concerts whenever I can, and when I’m home, I’m a bit of a homebody who loves to read – especially biographies and memoirs about musicians and artists.
Spotlight on Business: When did your passion for music begin?
EA: I always loved music. I’ve always felt like I knew I loved it in a way that was different from the average person – it was something I connected with deeply, one of my favourite things. I joined the school band in fourth grade and stayed in it until grade 12. I played the clarinet, but I didn’t get my first guitar until I was 16, after begging my parents for one. When I finally got it, I absolutely fell in love. I wanted to play every single day, every chance I could get. But when I went off to university and had to support myself, music fell by the wayside. It felt like a hobby, something fun, and I think society can lead us to believe that something we enjoy that much can’t possibly be the thing we do all the time. So I pushed it aside, but that didn’t last – music eventually made its way back into my life as it was always there, always a central part of who I am.
Spotlight on Business: What made you decide to leave your job as a chemical engineer and head back to Cape Breton to pursue music?
EA: When I started off in the engineering world, I knew it was just for now. I didn’t see myself doing it forever, but I didn’t know what I saw myself doing instead. Eventually, I found myself in a place where I was asking, “Is this all there is? Wake up, go to work, come home – what am I doing?” I didn’t feel fulfilled. I didn’t feel lit up. It got to the point where I realized I couldn’t just keep going through the motions of life – I felt like life was passing me by. So, I did a lot of soul-searching. I read books, listened to podcasts and looked for examples of people who had changed their lives or found their passion. How did they do it?
At the time, I was with someone who asked me, “If you could do anything you wanted and it didn’t matter how old you were or what money or opportunity you had, what would you do just for you?” I said, “I would play music.” And he said, “Why don’t you play, just because you love it? It doesn’t have to be your everything.” So, I bought a new guitar. He helped me make my first video and post it to YouTube. And it was like a switch flipped – I knew in my heart I was going to go for it. I knew it wouldn’t happen instantly, but I knew I would start.
When I decided to leave my job, I went home to CB to stay with my mom for a few months to reset. With each passing day, it became harder and harder for me to imagine leaving. So I didn’t. I decided to stay in Cape Breton and pursue music to the best of my ability, right here at home. And now, here we are – still here, and it’s going pretty well!!
Spotlight on Business: Tell us about the first time you heard one of your songs on the radio.
EA: I still remember it clearly. It was here in Cape Breton, and I had entered CBC Searchlight in 2020. I made the top 100, and Wendy Bergfeld played my first single, Forever, on CBC Main Street. I thought I had made it. That feeling is one I’ve never stopped experiencing – every milestone, every show, every time something happens, I feel like “This is it.” And I think that’s what it’s all about. If you’re doing what you love, it always feels like “this is it.”
Spotlight on Business: What is it like to be nominated for the Music Nova Scotia Awards and the East Coast Music Association (ECMA) Awards? Tell us about winning Country Recording of the Year and what that achievement means to you.
EA: It was incredibly exciting to be nominated for both the Music Nova Scotia and ECMA Awards in different categories. For me, it was reassuring. My music straddles the rock-country line. As a songwriter first, I can hear my country influences in my music, but if you see my live show, you’ll know I aim to deliver a rock performance on stage. So, being nominated and then winning Country Recording of the Year with Music Nova Scotia in 2023 – followed by a nomination for Rock Recording of the Year at the ECMA’s in 2024, felt like a big win. It made me think, “Okay, people get it.” I was proud to see that you don’t have to fit into one genre. You can be influenced by various artists, genres, and sounds, all filtered through my own experiences. That’s who I am. Winning with Music Nova Scotia felt validating – it was confirmation that I’m doing something that resonates with people and connecting with my audience.
Spotlight on Business: What is the biggest lesson you have learned along the way in your artistic journey?
EA: It’s definitely a journey. I’m someone who likes to move fast, but I’ve learned that you can’t control everything, and things won’t happen on the timeline you expect. It’s a long game. There will be days, even weeks or months, when it feels like nothing’s happening. That’s when you must hold on. I’ve said many times that I get why some people quit. You start to panic a little, asking “Did I make the right choice? Can I keep going?” But that’s when you need to hang on because as they say, it’s always darkest before the dawn.
Spotlight on Business: What was one thing that you wish you would have done differently?
EA: I would have slowed down a little bit. Things don’t always happen on your timeline – and I like to move fast. In the early days, I probably wasted money, time, and energy on things that didn’t matter. Looking back, I see that everything unfolded on its rightful timeline. There were opportunities I wanted that I’ve since gotten, and I realize that if they’d come sooner – I wouldn’t have been ready for them.
Spotlight on Business: What has been one of your biggest surprises?
EA: Winning Music Nova Scotia’s 2024 Entertainer of the Year was a huge surprise – I felt too new for that! It’s a voted category and the support from the community was incredible. Just getting the nomination and seeing the list of fellow nominees, it was an honour. To win it was unbelievable. If you had asked me when I moved back here if I thought that would happen five years later, I would have said no way!
Spotlight on Business: What has been your favourite part of being a singer-songwriter? What is the best part of performing live?
EA: I love writing songs and creating something out of nothing. There’s this feeling I get when an idea or emotion won’t leave me alone until I put it on paper as a song. Then, bringing that song to life in the studio is amazing. But I always say I’m not sure if it’s more thrilling to create the song or to perform it live, because both bring a rush. The onstage rush lasts a little longer, and that connection with the audience is powerful. I don’t think there’s a better feeling than taking a thought or emotion, turning it into something tangible, sharing it with someone, and hearing them say, “I felt that, too,” or “You made me feel seen.” Even if it’s as simple as someone saying they had the best time at my show, there’s no comparison to how that makes me feel. It’s all about doing what I love and expressing myself authentically, and for that to connect with someone – that’s what it’s all about. Again, it’s that “this is it” feeling!
Spotlight on Business What advice do you have for anyone wanting to follow their dreams and make the jump into the music industry?
EA: First, it’s going to be difficult, and no one can truly prepare you for the challenges you’ll face. There will be times when it feels like nothing’s happening, but you just have to hold on. Another key piece of advice I’d offer is that authenticity will always trump everything. Stay true to yourself whether in your songwriting, the opportunities you pursue, or the risks you take. When you do, the right people will find you and things will unfold at their own pace. It won’t always be easy, but it will be worth it.
Spotlight on Business: What genres and artists do you listen to? If you could do a duet with another artist, who would it be?
Rock is my favourite and most listened-to genre, but I also enjoy a mix of classic rock, which you can hear in my music. I love Fleetwood Mac, Tom Petty, Journey, The Guess Who – there’s so many I could list. I also listen to a lot of indie, alternative rock, and pop. My absolute favorite artist is Stevie Nicks, and my dream duet would be with her! Right behind her is Maggie Rogers. She’s a pop artist, but her music has this energy – big driving guitars, big production – I’m completely obsessed with it. If I’m driving to work or on a road trip, you can bet that’s what’s playing. I also listen to a lot of R&B and soul-influenced rock. I’m a big Chris Stapleton fan and that’s the type of country music I enjoy: country rock, southern rock and outlaw country.
Spotlight on Business: Any new music that fans can look forward to? Where can they learn more about you and upcoming shows?
EA: I’m currently working on a record, having spent the last few months in the studio, and we’re getting close. It’ll be released this summer, with the first single dropping in May – I’m really excited! The new record is definitely a rock album, but it reflects all of my influences. Some songs have that classic rock, gritty country-rock vibe, like my latest single, Cowboy, while others lean more pop-rock. The whole record is packed with energy, and from the writing to the production, I’ve kept live shows in mind. I can’t wait to take these songs to the stage!
I’m lining up a summer tour, aiming to get as far as Ontario this time. I’ll be taking my band on the road to promote the album, which I’m thrilled about!
I’ll keep everyone updated at www.ElyseAeryn.com and you can find me @ElyseAeryn on all social media platforms.
by Lauren Reid