Meet Selene Kelly of Esxay in Gilbert

Today we’d like to introduce you to Selene Kelly.

Selene, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
The very first time I tried my hand at singing -in front of a “crowd”- I was around 9 years old. I nervously sang a couple of verses of “L.O.V.E.” by Mary J. Blige for my friend and her family, before they all laughed me “off stage”, which was my friend’s kitchen. As much as that sucked and as embarrassing as that was, it didn’t stop me from pursuing music, which is my true passion, along with writing.

To offset that initial crappy experience I joined choir almost all through middle and high school. During my senior year, I competed in the state music competition and earned not only the only superior soloist vocal performance award that year, but also I got my picture up in my school’s “hall of fame”. That was my biggest musical achievement until last year when I released my first single “We the Cosmos”. It was the first song I’ve ever written from start to finish so of course, I was crazy stoked!

It’s funny because I didn’t even pursue songwriting until just last year; I mean, I’d made songs before but it was always on a whim or just popped in my head out of nowhere, no actual formatting or anything. I’ve written poetry since 6th grade and up as a way to deal with my emotions. It came very naturally to me, whereas songwriting has been quite a bit less intuitive. Nonetheless, I’ll continue to write and sing and work on my craft as it’s just fun to explore the expanses of my creativity and mind and in turn share those findings with the world!

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
As with any journey in life, there is no such thing as a perpetually smooth road. Like I’d mentioned earlier, singing and songwriting didn’t find me as easily as I probably would have liked. Only after many years of practice and determination have I been able to find my voice, and even still I can be a little uncertain with it at times. But that’s all part of the journey and when it comes down to it I’ll always be more grateful for the difficult challenges I’ve overcome than the easy ones. Honestly, the biggest obstacle I face is myself. And as bad as that sounds it’s something I think most of us face. Having to trust my abilities and need to constantly remind myself that I’m good enough as long as I put in the work and believe in myself. I know I can sing, I know I can write, but sometimes I forget that I don’t have to be the best for others to want to hear what I have to say. And I’m working my way to be the best anyhow.

Please tell us about your work.
While I realize that there are many great upcoming music stars with similar technical skills, the one thing that uniquely sets me apart from others is my message. In my life, I’ve been through the trenches. I can confidently say that I’ve been through (and put myself through) a lot more than most women in music, and most women in general. I know the message in my music will reach every type of family, every type of person in some way that positively affects them. Whether it’s helping them see the brighter side of things, or merely showing them that others have experienced what they’re going through as well. When I was at my lowest it was music that helped me feel connected to a world I felt so ostracized from. Even at my highest points music simply exaggerates the greatness I feel, and I want to share all of that with everyone.

What is “success” or “successful” for you?
Success to me is pretty simple. It’s that sense of fulfillment, day in and day out. Nobody can bring me down when I am here because I know I am in the right lane. Success is loving each step I take because I know it’s in the right direction. Specifically, success for me is sharing my “words of wisdom” with the ones who need it most, touching the souls of individuals who can relate to my songs. Success is reaching each and every person who needs it.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/esxay_/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/sanguinesinner

Image Credit:
Kadeem Quick
Mike Valenz

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