Artist Spotlight: Elle Varner
Superstar Alicia Keys brought along a mix of veteran and budding musicians to her January 7, 2010 performance at the Apollo Theater. Among the group was Los Angeles native Elle Varner, whose unsuspecting vocal and songwriting ability had the NY Post referring to her as a “new diamond of brilliance.” Elle’s signed with MBK/J-RCA Records last October, and recently inked a co-publishing agreement with Sony Music Publishing.
Never heard of acoustic pop sensation Elle before? That’s okay. That’s what we’re here for—to put you on before everybody else jumps on the bandwagon. The recent NYU graduate is an extremely talented songstress, but saying that won’t do much to convince you. In fact, the more I type, the less likely you’ll believe me. Instead, I’ll let the music speak for itself. Brace yourself, because what you’re about to hear may turn you into a fan with the quickness.
Adele’s “Chasing Pavements”
Elle effortlessly covers Adele’s smash hit, singing it acapella with just her snapping to keep her company, and belts the entire song out as if she wrote it herself. Goose bumps should set in at about :45, and should increase in size upon the video’s completion. Don’t be surprised if you run the video back a few times; it’s that good, we know.
The Fugee’s “Killing Me Softly” and Lauryn Hill’s “That Thing” (Live)
Elle’s show at the Bowery Poetry Club in NYC brought out the die-hard Elle fanatics, who screamed things like “L. Boogie Varner” because of how well she mastered Lauryn Hill’s vocals in the song, yet made it her own. But it’d be too easy if she stopped there. In the second clip, she decides to diversify things a bit, spitting Hill’s lyrics for “That Thing” with the showmanship and enthusiasm of a hip-hop artist at the height of their career.
Oh, and if you caught Nyle’s video for “Let The Beat Build,” you probably saw Elle as one of the two female vocalists initiating the beat build. I’ve thrown the video in for good measure so you can both enjoy more of her sounds and watch arguably one of the best music videos at the same time.
Sounds hot!I wanna hear her live – when’s the next show
She has talent but so do a lot of people these days and often the people with the most talent never get seen or heard from. The A Keys move was def a good look for her tho. The idea for that last video was what really caught my eye. Nice post though. I’ll look out for her in the future.
High energy I like what I’ve seen/heard so far. Good luck to her in the future. *sidebar that Nyle video is dope as hell.
i agree erin. i want to see her life.
nothing is better than a show where the whole crowd is rockin’. goodness.
is she signed? if not, WHY? her voice is soothing. just what i needed to hear on this stressful ass tuesday.
oh just read about her, told you i was stressed. don’t judge me. she IS signed. loves her
That video is fresh as shiz. Very creative.
Dope I like her sound a lo, it refreshing to hear females who can actually sing…
And I love that video with Nyle…dope, continue to let the beat build!
she has SUCH a good voice! i like the killing me softly rendition slowed it down
Thanks for the tip! Sounds like she’s got a bright future ahead of her.
i think that she is pretty good. not great, but good. but maybe because the quality of the recording is kinda suspect, that could be the word.
Love to hear about good talent. And love that Byle’s already worked with her. And I loved that damn video. Brilliant!
as a devout fan of amy winehouse, lauryn hill and classic sultry voices this feature really struck a chord with me. elle varner shall be someone i check for and follow very closely in the near future…for the love of all things timeless! elle varner, beautiful words to go along with a stunning image. i like.
Uh-may-zing. Chasing pavements is one of my favorite songs and she definitely did it justice. Pretty too!
I AM JUST NOT FEELING HER AT ALL AND I’VE SEEN A LIVE PERFORMANCE
well nothing beats a live show I liked the last video that Nyle dude is whats up is he signed?
She is alright nada special!!! There is talent everywhere you look its just this all you do is need to know people WHO KNOW PEOPLE AND BOOM..YOU GOT A DEAL do a few GIGS in NY and put your name out there…If all else fails she has a pretty face
Now that dude Nyle seems like real talk.. for real.. for real!!!
she seems goofy in that on video in the green dress prolly wont buy her cd i might download from limewire
Yay NYU!! This is great! It’s obvious here that my school turns out some amazing talent.
People amaze me. If you don’t like it, just say you weren’t impressed and leave it at that. What is this she’s good but not great ordeal? Did she move you? Who decides the qualities of great? She’s young and pretty damn good. I’m impressed. I am a big Elle fan. She did the work. She put together her own EP. She caught the eye of a few people that wanted to manage her and they allowed for opportunities to impress big names in the industry. Obviously, people who DO matter like her enough to work with her. That means that at the end of the day, she is MORE than just a pretty face.
Can’t sing all that amazing atleast she has good energy an killer hair!
You must be a close friend or something if your catching feelings like this it is a personal view dude and actually its people and there views do matter even if BIG NAMES took interest bc in the end who buys the albums big names or FANS???????
Well put doncon I’ll have to say though im not to moved by this Elle chick though
This girl is sick. in a good way
This girl is talented but hope she writes better than she sings imjussaying
welllllllll Nyle is just dope elle not so much
turbo is right good but not great lauryn did it way better
mad and L boogie would be too pure butchered a grrrreat song str8 played herself.
who is the a&r who found her so i can b**** slap him voice is wack her friend hyped her up
what would simon cowell say
It’s all good Don don’t trip this is fascinating…I appreciate everyones opinion good and bad considering none of the footage is new, and none of it is my material showcasing my guitar/piano skills or writing ability…those of you unimpressed, I think you should stay tuned… I just may change your mind:) have a wonderful day!
I’ll probably pass on staying tuned ma sry.
if it were your material it would make your voice sound better? or if you were on piano? nah nice try though least you have high hopes.
@Max
I’m all good with people having an opinion. Like I said, if you don’t like it then you don’t like it. No biggy. There are over 6 billion different people in this world. People just amaze me when they leave comments like yours. She knew someone that knew someone then all of a sudden…POP and she’s signed? Ignorant generalization
How old is the material Ms.Varner?
@ DONCON
SO YOUR SAYING SHE KNOWS NOOO ONE IN HER PERSONAL LIFE WIT OR HAS HAD A DEAL?? DOUBT IT HIGHLY
@ JUAN LEAST HER HOPES ARE HIGH IS RIGHT SOOOOOOO HIGH LIKE I SAID ATLEAST SHE HAS A PRETTY FACE MAYBE SHE CAN DO SOME MODELING OR DO BACKUP/GUITAR
WASTED WAY TOO MUCH TIME ON THIS CHICK/POST/U IMMA STOP CAREER IZ HISTORY B4 IT EVEN BEGAN…
“I’ve got a beautiful soul but only four people know,They knew me since I was ten beauty did not matter then.”
I like it and I matter…Congrats Elle!
WOOOW! @JeffR
i remember this girl singing at a showcase I went to (i work Atlantic Records) and those lyrics of her BLEW EVERYONE AWAY!
thats so funny how the line you wrote still stands out in my head lol
are Max and Obatala that are commenting the guys that went to NYU with her?
i loveee your sound Elle,its so fresh
@juan
do you not have anything else to do with your time, i dont understand why some people feel like it is their duty to come and bring a shitload of unnecessary negativity. Your opnion is fine but theres no need to carry on… goodnight and goodluck
Not feeling it…she sounds blah to me…
Ok don’t jump down my back friends and fam for my opinion, but for me I have heard her sing live and her voice is very pitchy at times and off.Have to agree with most though I do like the last video that guy NYLLE is awesome loved it.
Just not digging her sound sry Elle no bueno!
There is no golden ticket in her chocolate today
Seen you few weeks ago looked sickly was going to ask you why are you trying to lose all this weight for marketing purposes you never was a thin girl Ellie V.(nothing wrong with that) .Its kinda bananas to me your contradict your song thought you were the definition of fly and you knew what money can’t buy,but your changing your appearance to sell and I’m sad.EAT GIRL DON’T LET THEM STARVE YOU!!!
lol. cool to know that i got people chit-chattering. that’s cool. i’m all about the feedback.
elle, i don’t know you, but i wish you the best of luck in the future, and hope to run into you soon.
it’s a no go roger that frankenstein thumbs down
Hello.This article was really motivating, particularly since I was browsing for thoughts on this topic last Friday.