Eleyet McConnell has made a name for themselves in the Americana and
country rock scene with heartfelt, raw music that speaks to the
complexities of relationships and personal journeys. Their latest
release, *”I Want You to Know,”* stands out as their most personal
project yet, blending soulful lyrics with emotive musical arrangements.
In this interview, band members Angie and Chris reflect on the
inspirations behind the song, their creative process, and the balance
between their musical and personal lives.
Q: “I Want You to Know” is described as your most personal release
yet.Can you share the story behind this song and what inspired its
creation?
A: Angie: This song is not unlike all of our others – direct accounts
of moments in our lives. They are all personal and all tell a story of
some point in our relationship. This one came from many moments where
the fear of allowing ourselves to be vulnerable was overwhelming and a
bit terrifying. It did focus more on Chris’s journey, and it speaks
about that dichotomy of wanting to share a life with someone so badly
but the fear of meeting them in that place was almost too much to
process.
Chris: It’s a moment when your more truthful of yourself than you’ve
ever known yourself to be. When you’ve been down that road a few times
you become a bit leary in a dream. It’s scary to believe,,,,,, it could
be.
Q: Angie, you mentioned that this song captures conversations and
shared moments between you two. How did those intimate moments shape the
lyrics and overall feel of the track?
A: So, to tag onto that last question, this was a culmination of
conversations and text messages over about an 12-18-month period. Our
first year was a roller coaster and a half. And then some. For the
longest time, he would deny feelings or the level to which our
relationship had progressed but even on the same day, sometimes less
than an hour later, he’d be sending me the most intimate, personal
messages confessing how he felt. The fear he was battling. Chris had
not had this kind of relationship for decades. He was a stereotypical
bachelor. He would often let a few things “slip” when we were out
together too. Me, being the rebellious type, I felt I needed to make a
point, so I took all those messages (I saved them all…good and bad) and
wrote this song. These were his words to me over that rocky period of
time.
Q: Chris, your musical arrangements have been praised for their soulful
depth. How did you approach composing the music for “I Want You to
Know,” and what was the collaboration process like between the two of
you?
A: Well,,,,, I’m going to have to give the most credit to Angie on this
one. Sometimes she gets these rhythms and melodies going. Together we
can tame and structure the song but when she feels it you know without a
doubt, she is giving it her soul. So blessed to have evolved into this
relationship where we have the same goals, interests and music.
Q: As a married couple who also collaborates musically, how do you
balance the personal and professional aspects of your relationship,
especially when working on deeply emotional songs like this one?
Chris: I feel like writing songs was how we broke the ice. There was
something that felt safe about expressing those high-stakes feelings in
song versus one-on-one conversation. Honestly, it’s how we learned so
much about one another in the beginning. It’s how we sometimes gain
better understanding to each other’s point of view, especially in those
moments when we feel like we aren’t on the same page.
Angie: We also have to make sure we take time for the alone time. I go
out with my girlfriends when it works and he likes to hang out with the
guys once in a while. We love being with one another. No question.
It’s cheesy, I guess, but we text a lot when we are not together. We
still miss each other. I don’t ever want to lose that but there is a
balance we have to find too. That’s just normal, I think.
Q: Your debut album “Crazy World” and its blend of 70s rock, country,and
blues have drawn comparisons to legendary artists. How do you both
incorporate those influences while keeping your sound unique and true to
your own story?
Chris: I never wanted us to be put in a box, and I was adamant about
that. Just be what we are and trust me we find ourselves in many
situations that build our lives and become our music.
Angie: We listen to so many different styles of music. Neither one of
us has a favorite genre that we go to over another. We love so many
types of music. I think that comes through in our work. If you think
about it…most people listen to a variety of things depending on the
mood. You can find all of that with us.
Q: The music video for “I Want You to Know” reflects the raw
authenticity of the song. Can you give us a glimpse into the visual
concept and what viewers can expect from it?
Angie: The beginning of that video is a snapshot into our everyday
interactions. Chris is always silly like that and I spend a lot of
moments looking at him likes he is an absolute goofball. I wouldn’t
have that any other way though. He’s a trip. We wanted this video to
give the vibe of something personal, intimate, beautiful and timeless.
Who doesn’t love a classic love story? We have loved, lost, hit bottom,
paid dues, earned stripes and took our lashes. Now we are living our
best life, loving every minute with one another. Sure, we have bumps
but who doesn’t? I can’t imagine loving anyone else so deeply.
Q: Angie, you’ve mentioned that writing with Chris unlocked a creative
part of you that you hadn’t discovered before. Can you talk about that
evolution and how your songwriting process has grown since you started
working together?
Angie: This is so weird. It almost sounds bogus, but I swear it’s the
truth. I never even thought of writing. I had given up the idea of
music and almost put it behind me. Some of my closest friends were
furious. It wasn’t until I met a gal at a new job and she was a
lifelong musician. We got to talking and the next thing I knew, I was
in a band doing my thing and feeling alive for the first time in years.
When Chris and I ended up in the same cover band, he would noodle over
in the corner all the time and I was so thick in the head I didn’t even
notice. I can’t tell you what happened that one day. I still remember
it. I heard him. Heard what he was playing and that was that. He
supported me like no one ever had. Even when I did something
terrible….haaa I had to get my sea legs on but he was never critical.
Only incredibly encouraging. I guess he saw me before I did. Once that
flood gate opened, I had a hard time keeping up. Lots of sleepless
nights because I’d be up writing and playing with melodies. It was
insane.
Now, it’s like a normal part of our day. Somewhere each day one of us
is recording an audio clip or something of a song idea. It’s like
breathing for us. Totally involuntary and reflexive.
Chris: I knew Angie had a voice but what she didn’t have was the dream
of being what she could be. I knew there were songs in there but that
isn’t something you can force out of someone. Trust me, I tried to get
my kids to get that bug but they have to want it. They just didn’t.
I also remember the day she heard the melody. I actually have a
recording of it because I always try to capture ideas. Once she started
writing it became a hurricane of songs and much easier for her and I to
start blending and writing our own together. Her big talent is
wordsmith-ing.
8. You’ve topped the UK iTunes charts and received nominations for major
awards. What has been the most surprising or rewarding part of your
musical journey so far, and what do you hope listeners take away from
this new release?
Angie: I don’t even know where to begin here. Our music is global.
What??? We hit #26 on UK iTunes with ‘Getting By”, What???? We hit #5
on the UK iTunes with Surrender…what???? Song of the year at the
ISSA!!!! Album of the Year Bronze at the ISSA….what/???? I’m just
trying to wrap my head around all of it each day. The video awards, the
nominations from the Josie Music Awards, the Red Carpet Awards in
Europe, Who’s Hoo in Country….it’s just insane. The articles, the
compliments, the messages, the people that come up to us at shows. I’m
just blown away by it all. Eternally grateful. Completely humbled.
There is nothing more I could ask for than other folks identifying with
our story and working through the whole thing called life right along
with us. It’s truly remarkable.
Chris: It’s surreal what has been going on. I’ve been at this with
bands for 54 years and for things to happen as they are at this point it
makes one believe in hard work and dedication will get you there. It
takes good songs, good people, good friends, good musicians and good
luck. Many things have had to come together to make it all possible and
I can’t wait to get back in the studio to build on all this. I want
people to know it takes everyone even those that listen to make it all
happen.
For more information, please visit www.eleyetmcconnell.com