Rider Essentials: Elyse Saunders

Country music has always felt like home for Elyse Saunders. From the dynamic stages of Toronto to the bright lights of Nashville, the Peterborough, Ontario native has followed a path of steadfast determination and artistic inspiration – regularly captivating crowds with her powerhouse vocals, engaging live show personality, and interactive charm.

Elyse is currently celebrating the new video release of her Canadian radio single, Genes, which follows two years of notable milestones.

In 2020, Elyse released Free, an anthemic summer smash which marked a successful resurgence in the Canadian radio market and earned over 500K Apple Music streams. Her 2020 winter ballad Wine Down, earned over 125K Spotify streams and the #1 spot on Amazon’s Breakthrough Country playlist. The 2021 single, Sunshine State of Mind, was one of the year’s Top 50 most played country songs on Amazon Music with over 600K plays, and spawned a popular music video that was featured on CMT.com and added by CMT Australia. This accompanied Elyse’s Top 5 finish in the CBC Music Searchlight competition and finalist spot in the Boots & Hearts Emerging Artist Showcase.

After earning two award nominations from the Country Music Association of Ontario for ‘Female Artist of the Year’ and ‘Rising Star’, she dropped her new EP, Free in October, which hit #2 on the iTunes Country Music Album Charts in Canada and #11 across all genres on its release day.

We caught up with Elyse to find out the things she always takes on the road with her for this week’s Rider Essentials.

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1. Laptop

There’s not a time that I don't need my laptop. It’s a great way to get work done during my travels and is always there when I need it for anything that might come up like songwriting appointments, video calls, keeping up with emails or sending off anything that needs my urgent attention... and to watch a little Netflix before bed of course! :) 

2. Tea

I love a good tea – especially the kind that soothes my throat and keep my vocal cords well hydrated. I bring my own packets from home since I have my favourite go to kinds like ginger tea, green tea and honey, as well as a throat coat with echinacea. Travelling can take a toll on the voice and it's also so relaxing to sip on after a busy day. Tea please!

3. Vitamins

Vitamins are key to keeping my energy and immune system in tact and I have a whole system that I've found works best for me like organic greens multivitamins, turmeric capsules, maca root, probiotics and more! It's important that I stay healthy so that I can give my best self to whatever show or interview I need to show up to! Pop a few of those each day and I’m good :)

4. My Own Shampoo / Conditioner
 

I've learned that it's best for me to bring my own. Those hotel shampoo/conditioners combos just don't cut it and many don't even carry conditioner. I like to be able to brush and style my hair as quickly as I can and this is just an extra hassle to manage hair that tangles easily. Anyone else have hair that tangles at one puff of wind? And it just doesn't style the same when you don’t have the good stuff – y'know what I'm sayin'? 

5. Comfy PJs

Rest is important at the end of a busy day and wearing comfy PJs from home really help to get my mind and body ready to shut down. So those comfortable set of PJs can make a world of difference as naturally, I’m a night hawk but at the same time catching those zzzs are vital in how well I function! So, anything that helps me get to sleep sooner is much appreciated. 

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Keep up to date with Elyse Saunders, follow her on Facebook here.