A compelling musical story often begins with a journey. For one artist, that journey started in Wales and led to Canada. A family tragedy prompted the move, shaping a perspective that would later fuel her creative expression.
Her debut single arrived in early 2020 with unexpected timing. “My Friends Online” became an accidental anthem for a world suddenly living through screens. The track quickly captured attention, earning praise from established pop stars and signaling the arrival of a fresh voice.
Choosing a stage name is a significant step. She found inspiration in a film character that mirrored a transformative personal experience. This choice reflects a deep connection to art and memory, moving beyond her birth name, Charlotte Grace Victoria.
Her sound sits at a unique intersection. It blends intimate, bedroom-produced feelings with glossy, expansive production. This approach creates pop music that feels both personally genuine and sonically ambitious, refusing to settle for simple formulas.
Introducing ELIO Charlotte Grace: A Rising Pop Star
The foundation of a distinctive pop sound is often laid long before the first single drops. For this artist, it began with a profound shift in her world.
Early Life and Canadian Roots
Born in Wales, her family moved to Canada when she was seven. This followed a tragic loss that reshaped their lives. The concept of home became complex from a young age.
Music entered as a quiet constant. Her grandfather, a teacher, introduced her to the piano during visits. She started writing lyrics in notebooks as an emotional outlet.
During high school, this interest grew into something more tangible. She formed an alt-rock band with friends called GREY // WATER. She was the primary songwriter, spending a lot of time crafting material.
The band played frequently, sometimes three shows a week. Those high school years were a real-world music education. She learned how songs connect with a live audience.
After leaving school, she enrolled at university to study Art History. But the pull of music was too strong. In her third year, she made the decision to drop out and pursue music full-time.
The following eighteen months were a period of intense focus. She saved money, wrote constantly, and made repeated trips to Los Angeles for studio sessions. By late 2019, the dream started to feel like a real career path.
| Period | Location | Musical Development |
|---|---|---|
| Early Childhood | Wales to Canada | Piano lessons from grandfather; began writing lyrics |
| High School Years | Ontario, Canada | Formed band GREY // WATER; wrote and performed regularly |
| University & Beyond | Toronto & LA | Studied Art History; dropped out to focus on solo music career |
The main thing she got back from those early experiences was confidence. The stage time with her band proved invaluable. It was a foundation built on repetition and raw passion.
The Evolution of ELIO Charlotte Grace’s Music
A musical identity often forms in the quiet spaces between genres. For this artist, the path to a solo pop career was not a straight line. It was a process of discovery, shaped by diverse influences and a pivotal shift from collaborative projects.
Transition from High School Band to Solo Pop Artist
Her first serious musical identity was with the high school band GREY // WATER. This period provided crucial experience in writing and performing. She learned how songs connect with a live audience.
But her creative direction began to diverge. As she explored more pop music from artists like The 1975, her own songwriting changed. The new pop songs she wrote no longer fit the band’s established vibe.
This realization marked a turning point. It taught her to recognize when a collaborative path no longer serves a personal vision. The freedom of solo songwriting felt expansive after the constraints of a band.
Developing a Signature Pop Sound
ELIO spent two to three years writing pop material in private before any release. This patience ensured each pop song met her evolving standards. She refused to rush the process.
Her sound is a deliberate blend. She pulls from R&B, indie, and electronic music depending on what a song demands. This approach results in a catalog of pop music that feels both personal and ambitious.
Each track stands as a distinct statement. She trusts her voice and perspective to provide cohesion across different production styles. Making music now means embracing pop as a broad, inclusive genre.
Insights from the Interview: Behind the Music & Artistic Vision
Sometimes a song finds its moment through unexpected timing and resonance. The creative journey involves both careful planning and fortunate accidents.
Personal Reflections and Musical Influences
“My Friends Online” captured digital loneliness before it became universal. Written in 2019 about travel and phone dependency, the track became an accidental pandemic anthem.
The lyrics explore being socially exhausted yet glued to your screen. They express wanting online companions during life’s final moments.
This artist’s perfectionist nature meant delaying releases until each song reached its full potential. She pushed back her EP to ensure every track felt complete.
Writing happens in different environments. Sometimes alone in her room crafting personal material. Other times in collaborative sessions where creative chemistry sparks unexpected results.
The production balances glossy pop sheen with intimate bedroom textures. This creates music that feels both expansive and confessional.
Lyrics prioritize genuine emotion over generic clichés. Each song serves a distinct purpose rather than filling tracklists. The approach values artistic truth over commercial formulas.
Collaborations, Influences & the Pop Music Scene
Navigating the pop music landscape requires both strong mentors and a diverse set of influences. For this artist, that guidance comes from an unexpected source within her own team.
Working with Industry Mentors and Charli XCX
Her management team features a unique structure. Charli XCX acts as both manager and creative consultant. Twiggy and Sam handle the business side of her career.
This gives the artist a distinct advantage. She receives feedback on her music from a peer who has walked the same path. They discuss which songs to release and what visuals best suit the art.
Their collaboration is hands-on. Charli XCX might send a track for her to write over. The process for their song “CHARGER” was simple—an open verse sent and returned.
They also co-wrote “We Lost the Summer” for K-pop group TXT. This experience expanded her songwriting skills, teaching her to craft melodies that work across cultures.
Inspiration from Ariana Grande, The 1975, and More
Her influences are wide-ranging. She draws from the vocal precision of Ariana Grande and the ambitious sound of The 1975.
Taylor Swift’s narrative skill and Kacey Musgraves’ genre-blending also inspire her. She listens to indie artists like Clairo and HAIM, pulling specific elements into her own pop songs.
Collaborating with peers like Valley keeps her music feeling fresh and grounded. The goal is always to create something genuine, pulling from many sources without copying any single one.
Navigating Digital Age and Lockdown Life as an Artist
For a generation raised online, the digital world is both a stage and a subject, a theme deeply woven into this artist’s work. The pandemic lockdown simply amplified conditions she had already mastered.
Creating Music in a Digital World
Her creative process was built for a shutdown. She was already making music in her room, so the lockdown felt familiar. The main shift was the cancellation of planned shows.
This pause became an unexpected gift. It allowed months of focused writing and building industry relationships. Rushing into touring might have caused stress and limited new material.
She shot the “My Friends Online” video in her house during quarantine. She spray-painted her walls for a DIY aesthetic, then spent weeks redecorating. The result mirrored the song’s themes of digital intimacy.
Writing at home offered a new honesty. It contrasted with studio sessions where you share your life with strangers. This freedom led to more personally driven material.
Embracing Technology and Social Media Trends
Her music critically explores our phone-centric lives. Tracks like “My Friends Online” and “Body Language” examine technology’s double edge.
Phones keep us connected to friends across the world. Yet they can make us miss the people in the same room. Her pop songs ask when the phone serves us, and when we serve it.
| Aspect | Pre-Lockdown Routine | Lockdown Adaptation |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Workspace | Home room & occasional studio sessions | Exclusively at home |
| Collaboration | Mix of in-person and remote | Fully remote (remixes, co-writes) |
| Performance | Planned tours and live shows | No shows; focus on writing and production |
| Thematic Focus | Digital life and connection | Intensified exploration of isolation and technology |
Creating music today means using digital tools without being controlled by them. It’s about balancing production software with genuine human connection. For this artist, that balance is the core of her sound.
Looking Ahead: What’s Next for ELIO Charlotte Grace?
The remix project in April 2021 opened new creative doors. It marked the first time this artist could properly collaborate, reimagining songs with different production approaches.
New music continues to develop beyond the remixes. The artist maintains her core sound while pushing it forward. Each pop song serves as a distinct statement rather than filler.
Dream collaborations with major pop stars reveal both ambition and self-awareness. “Jackie Onassis” remains the recommended entry point for new listeners, capturing her entire aesthetic in one track.
Future projects will likely explore digital connection versus physical presence. The story is still in early chapters, with many songs waiting to be shared in live shows rather than just through screens.
