Play lead guitar in any song!

Everyone wants to ask Elle Varner the status of her highly anticipated sophomore album. SoulTrain.com is curious also, but decided to go another route. We asked the RCA recording artist and Soul Train Award winner for Best New Artist if the LP will showcase everything she’s learned and is capable of. “Abso-freaking-lutely!” she exclaimed, immediately laughing hysterically. “Whoa, I was about to say the F-word!” She added with a laugh, “That’s what I wanted to say!”

The Los Angeles-born singer/songwriter/producer expressed herself vividly on Perfectly Imperfect, Varner’s hit 2012 debut album that graced the Top 5 on Billboard’s R&B Albums and Top 200 charts. A multi-instrumentalist who attended NYU’s very exclusive Clive Davis Department of Recorded Music, Elle Varner’s penchant for sound could net her a long and prosperous music career.

SoulTrain.com: What was your most significant technical takeaway from your time at NYU?

Elle Varner: There were a lot of different things there, from business to production. But I would say, technically, I took away that less is more.

SoulTrain.com: How does that apply to singing, writing, and producing?

Elle Varner: As a producer you want to let the song live. When I’m writing a song or when I’m producing something I always ask, “Can this song stand alone?” Is it good enough if I play it just on a piano or just on a guitar, or even really a cappella, will it still be impactful? When you go from there you’re really just adding ambiance, you’re adding colors and depth.

SoulTrain.com: With all that being said, Elle, where’s your favorite place to play acoustic guitar?

Elle Varner: Mmmm! Aside from my bedroom where I write most of my songs, I really like an intimate environment—something small, a couple hundred people capacity. I like it when it’s as if I don’t need a microphone.

SoulTrain.com: What’s your favorite song to play acoustic?

Elle Varner: That’s changed over the years. At one point it was “So Fly,” now it’s “Nothing” off my upcoming album.

SoulTrain.com: Elle, you have one of those voices that just expands. It fills a room, which compliments the acoustic guitar and the environment you’re performing in. That makes me think of Ed Sheeran, who goes out alone without a band, just his voice and his instrument. Would you ever do a stadium show with an entire acoustic set?

Elle Varner: Absolutely! And that’s funny you mentioned Ed Sheeran, because I think what he’s done as an artist is great. I haven’t done too many shows over the past year, but when I do I incorporate an acoustic set. I’m making sure that stays alive, which is great. I have to share other aspects of my artistry.

SoulTrain.com: Not too long ago we saw you at the Fox Theater in Detroit with Trey Songz. You were so chill backstage, but on stage you’re the complete opposite. Is it the sound of your music or the roar of the audience that makes you turn that on?

Elle Varner: First of all I’m an entertainer, so I want to give people great entertainment. I definitely light up when I’m surrounded by great energy. When they’re loving it and giving it back to me, I’m giving it back to them.

SoulTrain.com: Surely you’ve encountered audiences who aren’t giving anything. What do you do then?

Elle Varner: Sometimes you have to create energy when there is none. That’s one of the things I’ve learned as an entertainer; everybody’s not always going to be into you, especially in the beginning. That was a charisma check. I had to learn you have to give it to them no matter what.

SoulTrain.com: People may not realize how taxing singing can be. Energy is something you need a lot of; and not just to perform, but to sing live at a high level. Are you still learning the limits of your vocal stamina as well as its advantages?

Elle Varner: Yeah, and you’re giving all this energy, and it’s very physically demanding. I feel like I had to learn to sing in a way that I’m basically not using my voice—which sounds crazy. I learned how to sing properly, but also how to sing night after night. It’s different.

SoulTrain.com: How’s it different singing in a studio versus singing on stage?

Elle Varner: The difference is using technique versus emotion. When I’m in the studio I’m just going to go for that emotional, raw performance. When I’m on stage I give you that emotion but with technical devices to not blow out my voice.

SoulTrain.com: You’ve performed in stadiums and theaters, and you’ve also been on television studio sound stages like Late Night with Seth Meyers. How does your voice differ in those environments?

Elle Varner: Well, you could say my voice has enough unique qualities that you can hear in any capacity.

For more on Elle Varner visit her website . Follow her on Twitter and Instagram @ellevarner.

—Mr. Joe Walker

Mr. Joe Walker is an urban and pop culture enthusiast. Known as “The Word Heavyweight Champion”, the biographer, author, entertainment and celebrity journalist, and columnist is currently a senior writer for SoulTrain.com, staff writer for Muskegon Tribune Newspaper, and writer of weekly classic hip-hop reviews for Concrete Magazine’s Concrete615.com. Also co-creator of , Walker’s acclaimed, award-winning work has been published thousands of times regionally, nationally, internationally, and online. He is also working on a book project with Liquid Arts & Entertainment. Follow him on Twitter , connect with him on , and also visit his blog