Artist Spotlight: Gretchen Elise

Gretchen, in Fairmount Park, displaying one of the hand-made shakers she shares with audiences. Photo: Brett Jolly

Swarthmore’s own Gretchen Walker (née Iversen), also known as Gretchen Elise, is an educator and musician on a mission. Over her more than 20-year career, she’s forged her own path through jazz, soul, and folk, to make music that is at once sophisticated and accessible to audiences of all ages. I caught up with her for a chat at a recent photo shoot.

You were a self-described late bloomer as a musician. When did you realize this was your calling?

The seeds had been there ever since I was in grade school. I was always a vocalist, even before I became an actual musician. I started out as Amahl in the operetta Amahl and the Night Visitors in fifth grade with Mrs. Sparrow. Later, in middle school, I had the chance to be in choir and bell choir, with Mrs. Wagner. All these public-school music opportunities led me to become an advocate for arts education—both as a professional and as a volunteer—in underfunded public schools in Philadelphia. But it wasn’t until my 20s that I applied myself to actual practice and performance.

What inspired you to start writing your own songs?

From an early age I had always been an athlete...focused on dance, gymnastics and a career in movement. Some unfortunate injuries suggested I might need to pick another creative path. When I was 24, I returned to Swarthmore, and hosted a Parisian-inspired “Salon” in my old childhood room. I asked a musician friend what a blues progression was on guitar. He answered, “Just figure it out!” and that was the impetus to start writing songs. Without any formal training, I just started exploring musical styles and listening to a lot of old blues, jazz, folk, and eclectica—then I’d pick up a guitar and do my best to make it sound something like what I was hearing. It’s very important to listen actively and develop an ear, especially when you’re self-taught. I have always heard the bass line and the melody in my head when lyrics come to me. So I’d eke out some chords and fit the lyrics into it. 

How would you describe your music?

I like to call it #phillyfusion — it’s a mix of the sounds of Philadelphia—jazz, soul—and international influences, like Brazilian and Afro-Cuban music. I try to write simple, singable tunes that appeal to all ages. When I perform, it’s always a goal to involve the audience in some way. At most of our gigs, the crowd ends up on stage, dancing or singing or banging on something! At many of the shows we actively involve them by inviting the audience to join us in creating percussion instruments before the music starts — making shakers or scrapers or homemade drums.

How do you achieve a balance between your music and your business and family life?

I’ve always had a job in education and the arts alongside my music. The balance had been just right, but that all changed during COVID when the world shut down and face-to-face learning was put on hold for that lost year. So right now I’m focused on my children, which has inspired me to create even more. My family has always been tremendously supportive, and I’m blessed to have had the proverbial village as an incubator and sounding board for ideas, both musical and otherwise.

What’s up with that Wawa song?

Oh! You can read all about it at gretchenelise.com/wawa. I wrote this song about the phenomenon that is Wawa, and I’m trying to get them to see the light and license it from me. Maybe one of your readers can make that happen!

John Hurst of Wallingford is a guest contributor and puzzle master.