Elvira Kalnik is the embodiment of artistic versatility. A singer, songwriter, producer, model, designer, actor, and award-winning video creator, she defies convention by seamlessly weaving together multiple disciplines into one vibrant, ever-evolving creative identity. With roots in classical music and a fearless passion for electronic experimentation, Elvira’s work blurs the boundaries between sound, style, and storytelling. As she gears up for the release of her new single and video “Water Knows,” we caught up with the multi-talented visionary to explore the inspirations behind her genre-defying music, her connection with nature, and the driving force behind her boundless creativity.
You’ve worn many hats in the entertainment world—singer, producer, model, designer, actor, and host. How do you balance such a diverse creative career, and what drives you to keep exploring new artistic territories?
Thank you for this question. Creativity has been a part of my life since childhood. I grew up in a creative family where I was taught to play instruments, sing, act and dance. I started ballet dancing when I was 5. My first little music piece I composed at age 6 when I touched a piano. Just played by ear. My parents immediately sent me to a music school.
My mom taught me drawing and also, she designed our clothing and gave me the aesthetics feeling of combining styles and colors. Then, I started designing my own stage outfits and graphics for my releases.
All my experiences, curiosity and inner vision make me want to explore more in the world of creativity and constantly learn new things and evolve as an artist. I simply follow my heart and do what I love, and what feels good and exciting even if it might be challenging. If it feels right, I go for it.
Your upcoming release “Water Knows” seems to hold symbolic depth just from the title alone. Can you tell us what inspired this song and what message you hope listeners take away from it?
Water is an amazing being. I define it as a being as it has multiple states and moods just like us. It is in us. We consist of water. Maybe this is a reason why we tend to feel good in water or near it. It washes out our worries and pains physically and emotionally, externally and internally.
I grew up near the sea and have a deep connection with water. Water carries a lot of information as it absorbs everything around itself including our emotions. It’s a great healer as well as a teacher. In a situation that was beyond my power and control, I learned that I can control my state of mind and perception of the situation.
I can just come to water and release my emotions and pains and let them be carried away… And if there’s no water around, it can be imagined. Whatever we imagine feels real.
The story behind “Dreams Come True” is so touching—a butterfly encounter sparking a whole song and video. How often do real-life experiences, like that one, become the core inspiration behind your music?
I have many experiences that led me to creativity. Most of the time, I write from my inner experience.
The butterfly encounter was an experience that I’ll cherish forever. This butterfly landed on my head and followed me during my hike. Then, another butterfly arrived. There was so much unconditional love coming from them! I felt like Alice in wonderland.
The song “Dreams Come True” came to my mind right away. So, I call it “the song written by a butterfly”. I believe that our God – Creator – Mother Nature talks to us through these kinds of moments showing us that we are One, and that our life is a moment just like for a butterfly. We have to enjoy and appreciate the moment called “life”.
You’ve blended opera vocals with drum & bass and jungle music—a bold fusion. What draws you to electronic music, and how do you decide which genres to experiment with?
I love music regardless of genres. I write based on how I feel at a moment. One of my albums, “Peachy Pink” is a combination of pop and rock genres where I also incorporated opera vocals in some parts. I like to combine acoustic instruments with electronic sounds. Honestly, I don’t try to stick to a particular genre.
I like to synthesise my own sounds from sounds of nature or from other sounds that surround me. It’s a very interesting process. I never know what will come out of it.
You debuted in theater not long after beginning classical vocal studies. Looking back, how did your early experiences in opera and stage performance shape your artistic identity today?
During my study as an opera singer, I approached every vocal part by going to a library and reading a composer’s biography. Learning about history and biographies of composers whose pieces I performed, was a key to deeper understanding how to approach an artistic part of a performance. I think that being a performer is more than skills and storytelling. It’s delivering an energy of behind the scenes story, – the story that led an author to a composition. This was a very powerful learning experience and it has definitely impacted me. It washed off my perception of me as an artist and shifted a focus on a deeper level. Early, I felt like “Look at me!”. Now, it’s not about me anymore. It’s about what creative field that I tap in wants me to bring to the surface. I believe that everything is created already. We just tap into the field and pick vibrations that are aligned with ours. I suppose this is a good explanation of how a few composers from different parts of the world write identical music.
From Miami Swim Week to the United Nations Gala, your music, fashion, and storytelling intersect in powerful ways. How do you envision the relationship between sound, style, and social impact in your work?
I listen to my intuition and let it guide me. Somehow, I feel what’s right at a particular moment even if it might be illogical. I just want to invite people into my inner world and share what’s there. I guess that’s how we create.
Sound is a very powerful form of communication. It has a character and is charged energetically in a certain way. We give names to these characters that are associated with certain feelings. That’s how styles and genres are created I guess.
You’ve gained recognition across international film and music festivals. What do you find most fulfilling about producing music videos, and how does the visual component enhance your storytelling?
When we listen to a song, we feel or visualize something. For me, a video is a form of sharing a story behind a song. I’ve always had pictures running through my mind during writing or listening to music and was curious how to recreate it. One day, I decided to bring it to life and decided to learn filming, which is an endless field of art just like music. When combined, they bring a whole powerful experience to an audience. Somehow, I fell in love with filming and post production as well as with script writing.
I co-wrote the script and co-produced the theatrical psychedelic drama “La Divina” where I played the lead. Theater was my first experience in acting. I learned it along with opera.
With “Water Knows” on the horizon and so many past projects under your belt, what’s next for Elvira Kalnik? Are there any upcoming collaborations, film ventures, or fashion collections you can share with us?
There are always new ideas in my mind. Currently, I’m working on a few songs. One of them is called “We Are Not Human Doings. We Are Human Beings”. I’ve never had a song with such a long title. It’s a philosophical song just like “Water Knows”, and many people can relate to it. Other upcoming songs are “Take Me To The Moon”, “I’m a Girl That Never Cries” and more.
Also, I’m working on a casual clothing and accessories collection “Water Knows” that I’m excited to bring to the world in May as well as I’m excited about this interview. Thank you!