Elsa Margarita Carvajal, known professionally as Elsa y Elmar, has been a prominent figure in Latin music for over a decade. With the release of her album “PALACIO” on august 30th,and a major tour on the horizon,Carvajal is set to reach new heights in her career. She acknowledges the persistent pressure to surpass expectations, a double-edged sword that can both motivate and negatively impact mental well-being.

Carvajal found herself constantly working, prompting a necessary break after her previous album “Ya No somos los Mismos.” During this two-year hiatus, she learned the importance of self-care and recognizing when to prioritize personal time. This period of reflection led to “PALACIO,” released on her own label, Elmar Presenta, which explores universal challenges.

Navigating Creative Pressures and mental Health

in a recent interview, Elsa y Elmar discussed the balance between creative demands and mental health. She shared insights on dealing with burnout and maintaining well-being in the music industry.

When asked about performing in her largest venue to date, Elsa y Elmar noted the unique position she occupies in the music landscape. “You know, it’s really engaging as all the odds were against me. I’m not from that generation of women in pop like Belenova, Julieta Venegas and Natalia Lafourcade. And I’m also not an urbano artist. I’m an artist that, since day one, the people I’d work with would say, ‘I don’t know where you fit in. I don’t know how to explain [your sound]whether you’re indie or alternative.'”

“It’s physically and mentally taxing and requires a lot of patience .. . I feel like I’m always on.”

She highlighted the demanding nature of being a professional musician. “It’s physically and mentally taxing and requires a lot of patience . . . I feel like I’m always on,” she explained.

To manage the pressure to constantly create, Elsa y Elmar focuses on maximizing productive periods and accepting lulls. “I try to take maximum advantage of the periods when I’m feeling most creative and make as many ideas, songs, and videos as I can because I know at any given moment, there’s going to be a dry spell. But I also try to take advantage of that time when I’m not feeling as creative, and not stress, trusting that the creativity will return.”

The Two-Year Hiatus and creative Freedom

Elsa y Elmar’s two-year break was driven by a desire to escape industry constraints.”I was tired of the bureaucracy, of the expectations, of working with the big labels, of just chasing the carrot. I decided that if I was going to chase any carrot,it was going to be my carrot,” she stated.

“PALACIO” features songs addressing various real-life issues,including “Entre Las Piernas,” which celebrates menstruation. Elsa y Elmar explained, “Being honest, the subject hadn’t really crossed my mind as song-worthy, until one day it just hit me that half of the population of the planet bleeds once a month. And even today in 2024 it’s a subject that’s still taboo, that still grosses people out, and we’re not supposed to talk about…and I just thought ‘thousands of love songs have been written and no one’s written about this topic that’s so common?'”

Another notable track, “Visto,” explores the pain of being left on read. “I mean, obviously there are legitimate reasons that people get left on read . . . but what I’m talking about in the song is when you’re being vulnerable with someone and they leave you on read, and that feels horrible, to not understand why the other side of the conversation rather than communicate what they feel, eliminates the possibility of dialog and leaves you with a mountain of questions and self-doubt,” Elsa y Elmar elaborated.

For those facing similar challenges, Elsa y Elmar shared a piece of advice: “The other day I was listening to a little chat and [heard something] that struck me as very beatiful. if a problem has a solution, it’s no problem. And if it doesn’t have a solution, it’s no problem.”

Carvajal’s authenticity shines through her music and interviews. She emphasizes the importance of self-care and creating space for oneself, stating that “in order to make space for love, work, or anything else, we first have to make space for ourselves, make space for ourselves in our ‘PALACIO.'”