In our ongoing Q&A series Tell Me Más, we invite some of our favorite Latine celebrities to share insights into their lives and discuss how they prioritize their mental health. This month, we chatted with Colombian rising star Elsa y Elmar about her experiences with burnout, her mental health strategies, and how these factors influenced the creation of her latest album, “PALACIO.”
Elsa Margarita Carvajal, widely known as Elsa y Elmar, is no stranger to success. The Latin Grammy-nominated artist has been making a significant impact in the music industry for over a decade. With her new album “PALACIO” set to release on August 30th, and her biggest tour on the horizon, Carvajal is ready to elevate her career even further. Reaching this level required years of dedication on the indie circuit, performing in small bars to connect with unfamiliar audiences. Despite moving beyond her early days as an unknown indie artist, Carvajal acknowledges that the pressure to succeed still looms. She believes this pressure can be both motivating and damaging; it can inspire artists to achieve greatness yet also lead to unhealthy comparisons and expectations.
The singer reflects on how she often finds herself in a relentless work cycle, contemplating what she can accomplish next. This realization prompted her to take a much-needed break after her last album, “Ya No Somos Los Mismos.” Over the past two years, Carvajal has gained valuable insights into self-care and recognizing when to switch “on” and when to step back for her own well-being. Free from the pressures of labels and A&R representatives demanding new content, she has revitalized her creative spirit, culminating in her new project, “PALACIO.” This album, her first under her own label, Elmar Presenta, addresses a range of challenges that many face daily. In a recent interview, she opened up about her creative journey and the impact of mental health on her work.
PS: You’re about to perform at your largest venue yet. How does it feel to reach this point in your career?
Elsa y Elmar: It’s fascinating because I’ve faced many challenges. I don’t belong to the same generation of pop icons like Belenova, Julieta Venegas, and Natalia Lafourcade, nor am I an urbano artist. From the beginning, the people I collaborated with often said, “I don’t know where you fit in. Is it indie or alternative?”
PS: What might surprise people about the reality of being a professional musician?
Elsa y Elmar: It’s both physically and mentally demanding, and it requires immense patience. I often feel like I’m always “on.”
PS: How have you found a balance between the pressure to create and the need for self-care?
Elsa y Elmar: I maximize my creative periods to generate as many ideas, songs, and videos as possible, recognizing that creativity can ebb and flow. I also try to embrace the quieter moments and not stress, trusting that inspiration will return.
PS: What led to your two-year hiatus?
Elsa y Elmar: I grew weary of the bureaucracy, the pressures of big labels, and the constant chase for approval. I realized that if I was going to chase anything, it had to be my own vision.
PS: Your album addresses significant real-life issues. One standout track, “Entre Las Piernas,” celebrates menstruation. What inspired you to tackle this topic, which some still consider taboo?
Elsa y Elmar: Honestly, the topic hadn’t crossed my mind initially, but then it struck me — half the population experiences menstruation monthly. Even in 2024, it’s a taboo subject that we seldom discuss, despite its universality. Thousands of love songs exist, yet no one’s addressed something so common.
PS: Another notable song on the album, “Visto,” sensitively portrays the “mini heartbreak” of being left on read — a modern dilemma that feels timeless. Why do you think something seemingly trivial, like being ignored through text, can hurt so much?
Elsa y Elmar: Of course, there are valid reasons for being left on read… but I’m focusing on the feeling of vulnerability when you open up to someone and they don’t respond. It creates a lot of self-doubt and unanswered questions.
PS: Finally, what advice can you offer to others experiencing challenges like heartbreak, creative pressure, or feeling ignored?
Elsa y Elmar: I recently heard a beautiful quote: “If a problem has a solution, it’s not a problem. If it doesn’t have a solution, it’s also not a problem.”
Carvajal’s authenticity shines through in her work and interviews. She recognizes that embracing vulnerability can be difficult in today’s world. However, she has learned that to create room for love, work, or anything else, we must first make space for ourselves in our own “PALACIO.”
“PALACIO” will be released on August 30th.
Miguel Machado is a journalist specializing in Latine identity and culture. His work includes exclusive interviews with Latin music artists, opinion pieces reflecting community issues, personal essays about his Latinidad, and thoughtful features on Puerto Rican culture.
