Singer/songwriter and local restauranteur Elenee Young has quite a lot on her plate, but she wouldn’t have it any other way.
The wife and mother of two was recently named Inspirational/Spiritual Artist of the Year (2023), at the Saskatchewan Music Awards in Saskatoon.
“It was kind of out of nowhere … it was an honour. My reaction was a bit surprised, but I was also overwhelmed a little bit,” said Young, adding she didn’t have a speech prepared because she didn’t think she’d win.
“I thanked Kim Capiral. He’s so great, and he’s local. He’s set up all my music videos.
“I thanked him and my team back in the States, and of course, my husband, and mentioned my Métis heritage. I want representation in the gospel/Christian music sector as well, in terms of Indigenous and Métis—you don’t see enough of it. So I love the fact this is a thing.”
Young said she’s also very grateful for the support she has received from those in the Lloydminster region.
“The community has been super helpful, and encouraging, even though my space is really a niche— I’m a Christian/gospel singer/songwriter/producer. The people that aren’t interested in that niche of music, they still support me, which I think is really cool.”
Inspiration for her music comes in the moment, and she’ll write down song ideas and lyrics when the mood strikes.
“When I feel down or tired or stressed, I write with the mindset of, OK, how do I want to feel? I write from that vein because I feel like the theme of inspiration music—it always has a positive undercurrent.
“I think what draws people to this genre is that at the end of the song … they can say they feel encouraged, which is something you don’t get out there in a lot of the music these days.”
Young’s passion for making music began when she was in elementary school.
“I got a big, bulky keyboard when I was eight years old, and it had a recording function on it. I had so much fun making music for so long,” she explained, adding she assumed it would be a simpler process, creating and releasing music that people would find and listen to.
“I put out an EP in 2015 or 2016, but the experience with that wasn’t great. It was kind of like my first jab at something that I had loved for so long. I love music, I love writing, I love the world of producing stuff.
“I didn’t know you had to promote it … 300 per cent more of what you’re spending on the actual project needs to go to marketing.”
But although the first EP didn’t go as she had hoped, Young persisted, and when a new opportunity came along, she took it.
In 2018 she met the owners of Vanquish Studios, based in Florida, and she said something clicked right away. She says when she met studio owners Joseph and Caitlin Salamida she felt as though she had known them for years, as though they were almost family.
“I’ve done so much in the last four or five years, I’ve been learning things the hardest way. I’ve made some extremely expensive mistakes. I’ve run into some pretty crooked people, but then I’ve also made some really cool connections with the most amazing song writers and producers and engineers.
“I have Vanquish, and they do so much for me. Since 2019 I’ve had the opportunity to navigate the business side of the music, which has brought me a lot of joy.”
When asked how she balances everything with the restaurant, marriage, children, and her music career, her answer was simple.
“I have no idea,” she laughed, adding she’s the type of person that, if her plate isn’t full she feels like she’s not doing enough.
“I have the restaurant and I have my family, and we do activities, and then I’ve got music. It’s all just so fun because it all, in this weird way, just fills my cup.
“I love music and I love the family business. So when people ask ‘how do you do it.’ The truth is, I don’t know how I wouldn’t do it.”
