Elton John and Brandi Carlile Discuss Resilience and Hope for New Artists

London, England – Legendary musicians Elton John and Brandi Carlile are featured on the cover of the April/May issue of Rolling Stone UK, marking an exciting lead-up to the release of their joint album, ‘Who Believes In Angels?’, set to launch later this month. In a candid interview, they share insights on surviving as new artists in a challenging industry and explore the power of hope amid adversity.

Elton John emphasized the importance of live performances for burgeoning musicians. ‘Just keep trying to play live. That’s the way you improve as a musician and songwriter. It doesn’t matter if you’re playing to 40 people. The more experience you get playing to nobody, the better,’ Elton stated. He reflected on his early days, noting, ‘When I played in Musicology, we played to hardly anybody sometimes. That experience stood me in great stead for when I became Elton John because I had backbone. And backbone is so important,’ he added.

Elton voiced concern about modern talent contests like ‘American Idol,’ explaining that they often neglect the essential experience of performing in front of an audience. ‘The worst thing that can happen to you in the industry is to have no experience of playing live. You get put on stage, you go, and you can’t do it. That’s the worst thing,’ he said. ‘Take risks. Go and play in a pub.’

Brandi Carlile echoed Elton’s sentiments, stressing the value of community among artists. ‘Honestly, make friends. Get a community around you,’ she advised. The singer-songwriter also acknowledged the importance of music in her life. ‘I can’t live without music. It nearly killed me, but it also kept me alive, and it keeps me alive today,’ she said, underscoring her commitment to creating music for the future.

Discussing their friendship, Elton expressed deep admiration for Brandi, stating, ‘I love her so much, not just as a person, but I love what’s inside of her musically and creatively. It hasn’t really touched the surface yet; I think it’s beginning to, but there’s so much further to go. She’s like an embryo at the moment.’ He predicts her musical journey is only just beginning.

The conversation also delved into broader themes of resilience amid personal and societal challenges. Elton emphasized the enduring nature of the human spirit, referencing historical atrocities like the Holocaust and wars. ‘The human spirit has endured the most grisly things. It is an amazing, enduring spirit. There’s more spirit in the human body than you can ever think,’ he asserted. ‘You have to have hope because the whole world will be all over the place.’

Carlile addressed the urgency of political engagement, especially for LGBTQ+ individuals in the United States. ‘It’s something I wake up thinking about every day. People like us don’t have a choice about whether to be political; we just wake up political by being gay, especially in America,’ she remarked. ‘I think every toxic belief system is loudest and scariest right before it dies. We’re witnessing the last throes of a dying animal when it comes to hatred for LGBTQ people.’

Elton, who has been a prominent advocate for LGBTQ+ rights and health initiatives, affirmed, ‘Gay people are very strong. When it comes to what actually matters, don’t mess with us. They’re going to make a noise.’ His comments reflect both resilience and defiance in the face of ongoing societal challenges.

As the release of ‘Who Believes In Angels?’ approaches, both artists emphasize the importance of community, resilience, and the enduring power of hope as they navigate the evolving landscape of the music industry.