Elaine Rojas on Self-Producing Alt-Pop, DIY Touring, and Creating from a Healed Place

What does it actually mean to create music from an honest, healed place? For Connecticut-based artist and producer Elaine Rojas, it meant stepping away from social media trends, taking full control of the producer's chair, and accepting that art requires embracing both the light and the dark sides of life.

In this episode of the ZHZ Podcast, hosts Zak Davis and Matt Allen sit down with Elaine to talk about her upcoming album *The Duality of Things*, the realities of building an audience without relying on viral gimmicks, and how independent artists can stay grounded in their craft.

From Jazz Roots to Outsider Alt-Pop

Elaine grew up surrounded by music, carrying a family legacy that traced back to her grandfather, a jazz composer who wrote for Disney. After studying jazz and literature, getting sober at age 21 sparked a major shift in her creative identity. Songwriting became an honest, diary-like necessity.

Her sound evolved into an intoxicating blend of soul-rooted vocals, R&B grooves, and alt-pop textures. Singles like "Growing Pains," "Two Step," and "The Final Deadline" highlight her intentional approach to arrangement—using live saxophones like backing vocalists and mixing organic instruments with modern production.

Why Small Rooms Beat Chasing Algorithms

Every independent artist feels the pressure to maintain a relentless online presence. For Elaine, the breakthrough came when she stopped viewing content creation as a separate, draining chore and started treating it as an open window into her actual workday.

More importantly, she shifted her focus from digital validation to real-world community. Instead of waiting for venue promoters to book her, she set up an intimate, self-curated performance at a local spot, Corner Cafe.

"Great things start in small rooms," Elaine noted during the interview. Meeting attendees one-on-one and having genuine conversations after the set turned casual listeners into dedicated superfans for life.

Stepping Into the Producer's Chair

One of the biggest creative milestones for Elaine was choosing to serve as the sole producer on her upcoming full-length album, The Duality of Things. 

Navigating the production process meant letting go of imposter syndrome and embracing DIY resourcefulness. Whether it was stacking unconventional acoustic instruments to simulate an orchestra or taping an iPhone to the studio ceiling to capture the room's energy during a vocal tracking session, Elaine proved that creative vision matters far more than an expensive gear list.

The Truth About Vulnerable Music

Addressing themes like self-worth, recovery, and internal struggles often leads to misconceptions. Listeners sometimes assume that an artist releasing raw lyrics is in active distress.

Elaine sees it differently: writing vulnerable music is the purge that keeps her healthy. Putting uncomfortable truths into songs allows her to process experiences and hand listeners something that reassures them they aren't alone.

The ZHZ Takeaway

Zak and Matt have spent decades in the independent music trenches, and Elaine’s perspective hits home for anyone doing this work today. You don't need a massive marketing team or a major label budget to build something meaningful. When you take ownership of your production, prioritize face-to-face connection, and stay completely honest in your writing, the right audience will find you.

Support Elaine here 👉  Elaine Rojas

Catch the full interview, behind-the-scenes studio stories, and Elaine’s Rapid Fire round on the ZHZ Podcast.

Watch and listen to the complete episode at https://zhzpodcast.riverside.com