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Meet Esbie Fonte

Today we’d like to introduce you to Esbie Fonte.

Every artist has a unique story. Can you briefly walk us through yours?
I grew up with an amazing family who cultivated a love of all different kinds of music early on. When I was six, I was watching Björk music videos with my uncle, and he’d play me everything from Peaches to Morcheeba. My mom instilled an early love of the singer-songwriters I look up to most, like Joni Mitchell, Gillian Welch, and Joan Armatrading. My dad is a brainy engineer who taught himself to play every string instrument besides the harp and actually met my mom gigging at a bar she worked at. My dad would have his bands come over to the house and jam every weekend, and I grew up going to his friend’s record store with a jam room everyone would play in. It was so exciting for me and I remember associating music with a special kind of community.

There was a brief moment I thought I wanted to be a brain surgeon when I was about four and thought it was cool when my older cousin showed me brain surgery – weird kid, I know! After that little stint, I always knew music was my forever love and something I’d follow for the rest of my life.

Please tell us about your art.
I’m a singer-songwriter-producer, I also create visuals like lyric videos and other cinematic creations that help bring my music to life. Usually for the start of a song I get a hit of inspiration that can come anywhere from an atmosphere, feeling, dream or experience. Sometimes, I’m out and I start writing lyrics or sing a voice memo into my phone, other times, I start on my piano or synth. Form there, a song is usually created. I built myself an ISO booth at home I love recording in and I live with a multi-instrumentalist, Peter Tilley, who is always throwing down guitar, bass, and adding his own synth lines!

I use the slogan #CultMusic – it’s kind of like an acquired taste, something unique you’ve never heard before and can’t categorize. I can’t fit my artistry in any boxes, nor do I wish to. I’m very inspired by cinema in all different sorts of ways, I love exploring restaurants, new cities, and tucked away neighborhoods that feel otherworldly and transport me, those experiences inspire me to write tracks that sound the way those places feel and then I think of film I can create and take it back full circle.

I want people to take away what they feel is right for them at that point in time. I had a woman message me that my music helped her cope through a divorce and whenever I hear something like that it’s such a highlight. Human connection is such an essential part of music and what I want to be a part of most, and what I want my fans to take away.

Choosing a creative or artistic path comes with many financial challenges. Any advice for those struggling to focus on their artwork due to financial concerns?
If you’re an artist, creation will happen whether or not it pays all your bills. Don’t value your artistry based on how much money it makes you.

How or where can people see your work? How can people support your work?
I will always announce new shows on my socials! New shows and tunes planned next month. 🙂
Spotify https://open.spotify.com/artist/6Sh3ahSTQD6LqMh1wMaSLY?si=oYVbjvpgTCOGKh6vq8L2zw
Soundcloud https://soundcloud.com/esbiefonteofficial

Contact Info:

Image Credit:
Chase Leonard

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