Get To Know: Ellescriv Discusses Natural World Inspiration, Fragile Love, Her Upcoming Album & More

We all pine for love, no matter what that love is.

Ellescriv (aka Lorissa Scriven) knows that pining well, and in turn has found love in many facets. Tucked away in a cabin with a knack for lyricism and folk-inspired melodies, the Canadian songstress recorded her upcoming album, Wandering The Pine, based on this notion of love coupled with the natural world around her. 

“Longer,” her newest single off the album, is a piece of that zeal. Her ethereal lyricism tells stories of an aching heart caught in a moment of quiet and vulnerability. It’s a tender sound and message, serving as an ode to the wild and natural places she adores. 

After her first album, Be The Change, she has spent extensive time on the road, drawing from new experiences and adding to her rich storytelling.

We got to chat with Ellescriv to learn more about her new single, upcoming album, and much more.

What can you tell us about life in the Saulteau Nations, and how did/does that affect your artistic path? 

I didn’t grow up on our territory, so I can’t speak to that specifically. As with many indigenous people living a more urban experience, we come into that knowledge and understanding of who we are once we find ourselves healing and guided to seek it out. I grew up with a strong connection to the land, animals and birds, and this is where much of my inspiration for my music and art comes from.

What are three things people should know about the artist that is Ellescriv? 

Ellescriv is a lover of words, the woods and a thoughtful observer who loves to facilitate a connection to self and nature through sharing her own journey.  

You recently dropped your newest song, “Longer.” What made this the right song to release as a single, and what’s  the backstory and message behind it? 

“Longer” is the beginning of the story. Chronologically it’s the first song I wrote for the album. Not that I knew I was writing for an album at the time. The story begins with a fragile love. Love rooted in sand. Wistfully romantic, foolishly hopeful. Fully aware you’re floating in this matrix of lusty uncertainty but honouring the short story so long as you’re still reading. The pining will follow. 

And I see this will be on your upcoming album, Wandering The Pine. How did this collection of songs come together, and what was your biggest inspiration/influence behind it? 

This collection of songs came while having the best time in my late 20s. A single gal with an old soul seemingly unravelling a continuous string of the same underwhelming narrative: “The people pleaser not looking for love rather trying to avoid it… and not well.”  

What was the most rewarding and most challenging part of creating this album? 

The most rewarding was probably the beginning when I first introduced the songs to fresh ears. My partner in life and music Matt Stanyer and I started preproduction at home in our cabin, and I had Covid and a broken toe at the time so we were locked in. I have always admired Matt’s work ethic and his vision for production that starts the moment he hears a song. It was so fun to watch the songs all come into being and take on new life with each new set of ears we brought on board.

As for the most challenging, I’d say recording the vocals. For someone who loves to sing, you’d think this part would be the easiest, but because it’s also the most sacred, the piece I really wanted to  savour… I found myself struggling. The reality was being in the studio is expensive and the time flies! Sometimes the energy or whatever emotions you happen to be facing at the time can take hold. Unexpected things can surface when you’re under that microscope. One day in particular I had so many emotions locked up in my chest and I felt like I couldn’t breathe properly, and I didn’t have the control I’m used to having. So it’s easy to fall into a downward spiral when this comes up. That’s when you know it’s time for a tea, a smudge and probably a hug. 

How do the themes of “Longer” tie into the overall theme of Wandering The Pine? 

“Longer” as I mentioned was the beginning of the pining. Wandering the Pine is what I’ve come to call this period of time when I was really feeling comfortable in my skin, I had arrived to this place where I felt a lot of balance in my life, yet I felt something was missing. I don’t think I realized it at the time, but I so longed to share life experiences with another human.

I had all these wonderful things happening, no lack of love but no constant to reminisce with. And I do love nostalgia! The album title is also a throw to my favourite spot on our property, this joyful stand of pines. I used to go there all the time as a kid and talk to myself where no one could see me. I would sing and dance, act out narratives- you name it. When I was a teen the pine beetle managed to wipe out the entire towering shelter, my favourite audience. I felt so vulnerable and sad without them, especially at that age when I needed them most. Today, the resilient regrowth seedlings are teens, once again towering up over my head and Wandering The Pine is magic again.  

How does your environment affect your lyricism? 

Oh my gosh, well if my house is a chaotic mess or there is any noise or cats demanding dinner by trying to get my laptop to pet them, I am not writing. And if I am, it’s probably entirely void of soul. But send me off to the land? Or better yet give me perspective?! I find removing  myself from my usual environment, away from my people just totally floating out in the world alone and observing, I’ll do my best work. I don’t know why, but it’s just like when I zoom out I can finally see what’s going on. I’m more present, less distracted. My mind feels clear of clutter: open, sharp, romantic and hopeful. 

What do you hope listeners take away from this record? 

Dear listeners: I hope this record speaks to some part of you, whether you’re taking your time or you’re in a rush, maybe you’re trying to find your person or run down your dream, or maybe you find yourself questioning everything all of a sudden… Be patient, honour the  searching, it is the journey and it’s handing you lessons constantly you can pick them up or set them down, whatever you chose will be right eventually, but it’s up to you to keep the lights on: we’re all just making it up as we go. 

What does a dream gig look like for you? 

My dream gig honestly, is one that I can carefully curate and take my time with. For example my album release party is going to take place in a log lodge in the forest beside a lake. It’s going to be a camp out. I also love details, so my audience can expect artisanal everything down to the cocktail list and the lighting in the outhouse! Doesn’t that sound dreamy?? The best gig is always one where the audience  wants to listen and they want to laugh, the lighting is right, it smells good, there’s good food, I can see trees, and I get to sleep somewhere cool at the end of the day. 

What are your biggest goals for your musical career, and what’s next after the album drops? 

My biggest goal right now is to be heard. If I can sustain myself as an artist and not have to have some annoying, distracting hustle on the side, I’d be living the dream! OK I’d also like to play some really epic festivals or open for William Prince at Red Rocks. Tour outside Turtle Island… I like to keep my dreams grounded a little you know, for good measure (laughs). After the album drops, I’ll be booking a tour for the fall, preparing for grant/festival application season, firing up my next project and preparing for take off!