Artist Spotlight: Elsa Mickayla is Singapore’s Hidden Multifaceted Gem
“If I had to paint a picture, imagine being in a forest with a dance floor and a gentle mist,” Elsa Mickayla said, describing her style of music. “But it’s not a spooky forest— it’s more of a vibe where you’d want to party all night,” she added. The Indonesian singer, based in Singapore, is one of the many versatile musicians emerging from the Singaporean music scene. Aside from being a soprano in the award-winning a capella group The Island Voices, Elsa is a self-sufficient musician who composes, writes, arranges, produces, mixes, and masters her songs. Ahead of the release of her single, “Changes,” EnVi chatted through messages with the pop and R&B artist about her music journey.
Rhythms At Five
Music has been an integral part of Elsa Mickayla’s life since childhood. By the age of five, her parents recognized her singing talent. “I think it was just the constant singing in the house and the car,” she remarked about her parents’ discovery. As a child, Elsa effortlessly harmonized to songs, swiftly grasped melodies, and mimicked the styles of various artists. Reflecting on those early years, she noted, “I used to be quite skilled at imitating artists.”
Music was equally at the core of Elsa’s most cherished childhood memories, such as singing with her family on the way to vacation destinations. Among these trips, a standout excursion was to Puncak, a popular tourist attraction in Indonesia. “During these trips, we had a tradition of mashing up songs we knew, creating our unique versions. It was both humorous and creatively fulfilling.”
The LASALLE Experience
Elsa Mickayla has been active in crafting many of her singles, such as “Spell On Me” and “Keep Me Guessing.” From composing, arranging, and producing to writing, Elsa has participated in every aspect of her song creation. Notably, for tracks like “Money Music” and “Memories,” she exercised complete control over the entire song-making process. Her ability to create music from scratch is rooted in her degree in Music Composition from Goldsmiths, University of London. The prestigious LASALLE College of the Arts in Singapore facilitated the courses. Notable Singaporean musicians who attended the institution include Mandopop diva Kit Chan and Seizari. LASALLE College was a hub of enlightenment for the singer. Elsa listed the notable things she learned there: creating music with limited resources, finding creative ways to express her ideas, and bringing them to life using the instruments available to her.
Elsa Mickayla’s tenure at LASALLE presented her with a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, particularly meaningful as a fan of Harry Potter and John Williams’s music. As part of an assignment, she was tasked to create original compositions inspired by the scores of Hans Zimmer and John Williams. These compositions were assessed by British conductor and musical director Anthony Inglis. As an incentive, the winner would be granted tickets to a show featuring the works of John Williams and Hans Zimmer.
With her smooth and chill composition, “The Squib that Knows Magic,” Elsa emerged as the winner, aided by the support garnered from likes on the school’s official Facebook account. Beyond being able to attend the event, she took pride in the piece she wrote. “I have always wanted to create something melodic that sticks in people’s minds.”
The Elsa Mickayla Discography
In 2017, Elsa Mickayla teamed up with Singaporean singer Debbie Koh for “Haywire,” her debut single. Elsa revealed she first played it live at her three-year pop diploma recital and received good feedback from the audience. “I was told that it sounded different and unique and does not sound like anything you have heard in Singaporean music.” A personal favorite, she includes the track on all her setlists as an outro.
From the onset, Elsa has asserted creative autonomy over her music. Following “Haywire,” she independently composed and wrote her sophomore single, the contemporary pop anthem “I Got You.” Subsequently, for her self-titled debut EP, she joined forces with fellow Indonesian singer Jevin Julian, collaborating on production, composition, and arrangement. The three-track EP consists of “Keep Me Guessing,” “How Bad Is the Rain,” and the Owen Li-assisted “Just Us.”
A hallmark of Elsa’s discography is the trio series which sees the singer maintain a common cover art theme for three songs. She began the series with her debut EP which featured vibrant animations of Elsa against a black backdrop. Her singles “Spell On Me,” “A Letter to Christmas,” and “Money Music” made up the second pack of trios after her EP. For this set, the singer’s back is to the viewer, wearing a casually chic jacket hanging off one shoulder. Her most recent trio, which begins with “Memories,” sees Elsa show off her hands embellished in shimmering ash nail polish on a brown surface. For her latest single, “Changes,” she includes part of a teddy bear.
Another standout feature of her discography is the diversity of her collaborations. Living in multicultural Singapore has given Elsa access to artists originating from different countries. In that vein, she has had the chance to collaborate with artists from various nationalities but based in Singapore. Among these collaborators are the Korean producer and artist ZIONN and JUNG, who teamed up on “Lay Low,” her most-streamed project. Similarly, she has worked with Ilina Hats from India on her first produced track, “Scared To Be Honest.” Reflecting on her career, Elsa counts her ability to write, record, produce, mix, master, and release her songs as her latest achievement.
For the Love of Live Music
Despite being a powerhouse in the studio, Elsa Mickayla has a soft spot for the stage. “I have immense admiration for singers who deliver stunning live performances,” she admitted. An avid fan of the American singing competition American Idol, Elsa recalls following singers like Kelly Clarkson, Katharine McPhee, and Jordin Sparks on the show. Describing them as influences, these divas were fundamental in building Elsa’s love for the stage. The American Idol stars were not Elsa’s only live-stage favorites. She acknowledged that she frequently watched performances by JoJo and Disney stars like Demi Lovato.
Among her favorite acts, Elsa was privileged to attend Demi Lovato’s concert in Singapore, which she described as “particularly inspiring.” The singer recently developed a professional admiration for British musician Jacob Collier, whom she recently saw live in Singapore. “Currently, I’m eager to see artists such as Tori Kelly, Beyoncé, FLO, Victoria Monét, JoJo, and Ariana Grande perform live,” she expressed, revealing her concert wishlist.
Being inspired by notable live performers, Elsa Mickayla has graced various stages where she has put up outstanding performances. Among these are Singapore’s National Day Parades in 2022 and 2023, where she performed as a member of the Island Voices. Together with her group members, they also serenaded patrons at a concert tagged “The Island Voices: R&B Night.” The 2023 concert took place at the Esplanade, one of Singapore’s prominent performing arts centers. When Elsa is not hitting notes on big stages, the singer entertains a cozy crowd as a member of The Young Folks. Made up of Sam Driscoll and Elsa, the two perform at restaurants and weddings.
A Melodious Voice on the Island
When asked about her achievements as a musician, Elsa replied, “Participating in the National Day Parade twice with The Island Voices.” She also cited performing alongside her teammates in Taiwan and Graz as highlights of her career. The 15-person ensemble, founded in 2022, consists of singers of different ethnicities, reflecting Singapore’s multicultural landscape. United by their love for music, the choir covers R&B, soul, and pop songs for the enjoyment of their supporters. Additionally, they have performed at various events in and outside Singapore.
Sharing the founding story of The Island Voices, Elsa explained that the National Day Parade music director had contacted her friend and “Just Us” collaborator Owen Li to assemble a gospel choir. Being good friends with Owen from their time at LASALLE, Owen invited her to join the group. For Elsa, The Island Voices is meaningful to her as it gave her friends, who share the same taste in music and connect with her on a deep emotional level. A phenomenon she describes as “rare and precious.” EnVi asked Elsa to describe her time as a member of The Island Voices in three words, to which she replied, “WE ARE FAMILY.” She further added a song dedication, “We Are Family,” by Sister Sledge.
The Non-Music Side of Elsa Mickayla
When Elsa Mickayla is not rehearsing with The Island Voices or singing live as a member of the Young Folks, she can be found climbing boulders. “Initially, I aspired to be an athlete,” she revealed. “However, life took me on a different path, leading me to discover my true passion for music,” she added. Elsa Mickayla believes she would have pursued something within the arts if she had not been into music. “Whether it be architecture, creating art as an artist, or working as a graphic designer, videographer, or photographer,” she stated.
Speaking on her passion for climbing, she revealed she had been fascinated by the sport since childhood. “However, I wasn’t aware of bouldering until I joined my friend for a climbing session in Singapore.” She quickly developed a passion from that day and later discovered the bouldering community in Singapore. Amid a community she described as “kind and supportive,” Elsa learned more about the sport, trained, and eventually participated in her first solo competition in 2022.
The Elsa Mickayla of 2024
After a break from music releases, Elsa Mickayla is on a mission to unveil a new single every last Friday of the month. The singer and music producer is gearing up for her first full-length album at the end of the year. Describing the music scene as intimidating and daunting at times, she revealed she went on a hiatus because she doubted the quality of her songs.
However, with a little push from her friend and fellow Island Voices member, Aaron Bunac, her passion was reignited. “I began to see music as a platform for expression, communication, collaboration, and enjoyment, rather than viewing it as a competitive arena,” she said of her new mindset.
Elsa returned to releasing music in March with the single “Money Music,” which she had previewed years ago. Her next track was “Memories,” which sees her conscience take the form of a third party and reflect on her relationship with music. Elsa explained that while she enjoyed performing and creating music and content, she found herself prioritizing her partner over her musical aspirations and pushing music to the bottom of her priority list. “Now, it feels like my music is questioning whether entering another relationship is what I want, knowing that music is my true passion,” she admitted.
Having released two singles in March and April, Elsa Mickayla keeps the momentum going with “Changes,” a soulful and chill R&B song featuring rising American artist Austin Shugart. The reflective track is an ode to the whirlwind of changes Elsa has experienced in the last year, with the artist recognizing she deserves positive changes. Wrapping up her chat with EnVi, Elsa was asked to leave a note to her five-year-old self, to which she replied, “You are a strong-minded individual, and you will go far. Fight for what you want and be unapologetically yourself.”
Listen to “Changes” on Spotify, Apple Music, and other platforms. For updates on Elsa Mickayla, follow the artist on X (formerly Twitter), TikTok, and Instagram.
Want to discover more emerging artists? Check out our Artist Spotlight on Vincent Blue here.
