Elena C. Lockleis Releases Heartfelt New Single “I Will Cheer With You (feat. Jessica Ruth Bell)”, and Connects About Its Deeply Personal Meaning
- STAFF
- Aug 6
- 6 min read
By: Staff
Elena C. Lockleis delivers a stunning, emotionally charged anthem with “I Will Cheer With You (feat. Jessica Ruth Bell)”, an unforgettable reflection of resilience and connection.
We spoke with a rising artist whose latest single, “I Will Cheer With You (feat. Jessica Ruth Bell)”, is sure to stop you in your tracks. This track, a refreshing blend of raw emotion and infectious melody, marks a pivotal moment in their journey, one that's as personal as it is powerful. Teaming up with a talented vocalist who has an undeniable voice and a producer with an impeccable ear, this release reveals an artist at a turning point, finding strength and clarity in their own vulnerability.
Drawing inspiration from a combination of heartfelt personal experiences and the influence of one of pop’s most iconic voices, the song’s lyrics and tone are a soothing call for connection. It's a feel-good anthem that's rooted in real-life struggles and the need for reassurance, designed to resonate with anyone who's ever needed to hear, "I will cheer with you."
We spoke with this multi-faceted artist about the making of the track, the collaboration process with their team, and what this song means to them on a deeper level. From their creative influences to the emotional undercurrent that shaped the song’s message, the conversation unveils not only the magic behind the music, but the journey of an artist finding their true voice.
Keep reading to find out more about the vision behind “I Will Cheer With You (feat. Jessica Ruth Bell)”, and how it reflects the artist’s growth both musically and personally.
Here’s how it went:
Begin Interview:
Hello Elena C. Lockleis, we’re thrilled to have you here for this interview! We've had an amazing time exploring your music and diving into your creative journey. Now, we’re even more intrigued to get a deeper look into both your brand and your personal and professional inspirations.
Q. For the fans meeting you for the first time, is Elena C. Lockleis your given name or a stage name? What inspired you to choose that for your artist persona?
A. Elena C. Lockleis is my given name. However, I don’t think ‘Elena’ was ever a name that truly fit me. And when I figured out I identified as Non-Binary a few years ago, that name instability started to make sense. Hopefully one day, I’ll have a Spotify with my preferred name front and center but for now, I supplemented that by creating a logo that includes my preferred name.
Q. Can you tell us how you landed on the title of “I Will Cheer With You” and was this the first choice or was it an evolution?
A. ‘I Will Cheer With You’ is a phrase I heard in my mind as what I really wanted to appear as a text from a friend, hoping I have at least one, during a really tough mental battle night. The song formed around that phrase and always felt like the title.
Q. We learned that you see music as a therapeutic tool during tough times. Most people can't even admit this, but you are very open and revealing. Can you tell us more about this and what it has done for you?
A. Songwriting as a whole stemmed from being overwhelmed by an increase in Depression, which was leading to more conversations about medication. A lot of anxious pacing back and forth was happening. Hours later, after a guitar string broke and deciding to just go and pick out a new guitar, which already made me feel better, I had written my 1st song and with that, an anxious decline I had craved for so long.
Since then, a number of my songs just openly discuss tough mental shit. Some of which I’ve shared with my therapist; leading to my description of my songwriting style as ‘journal entries pop.’
Q. You mentioned the influence of Anne-Marie's song "Better Not Together." How did that song specifically shape the vibe or emotional core of your track?
A. Anne-Marie is an artist I love because of her conversational song delivery and her song ‘Better Not Together’ is an excellent representation of that. ‘Better Not Together’ helped shape the vibe of ‘I Will Cheer With You’ by inspiring the conversational with in the moment vocals and production that lifts.
Q. Your collaboration with Jessica Ruth Bell seems very special. Can you share more about what it's like working with such a unique vocalist and how she brings a new layer to your music?
A. Jessica is amazing x 11. I’ve known her for a few years now and it’s been such an honor and a joy to get to know her as a person as well as a vocalist. She brings a new layer to my music by just seamlessly pouring emotion from the very 1st take.
Q. The idea of "I Will Cheer With You" resonates deeply. How do you hope that message connects with your listeners, and why is it important for you to share this sentiment?
A. I hope the message of ‘I Will Cheer With You’ connects with listeners by simply being a song that’s there for them. It’s important for me to share the sentiment of that song because I know how a ‘heard at the right time’ type of song can feel like a much need hug.
Q. You met producer Jon Worthy through Airgigs, which is a unique way to connect. How did your collaboration evolve over time, and how did it influence the direction of your music?
A. I’d worked with Jon before but not on my original music. Overall, he’s a great collaborator and when I was looking to get this song produced, I just knew if I chose him to produce it, he would do great work.
Collaborating on this song helped influence the direction of my music by providing another opportunity to strengthen my confidence in expressing my vision for a song.
Q. Apex Arts Studios has played a significant role in the creation of your music. What is it about the atmosphere there that sparks your creativity, and can you describe how that environment impacted this particular track?
A. Apex Arts Studios is just a neat place. Good vibes all around. That type of environment just makes working on a song, like this one, a beautiful breeze.
Q. Given that this song was one of your first written in 2023, do you feel like it marked the future in your overall sound or songwriting approach? How has your creative process evolved since then?
A. This song helped solidify the ‘honor the song’ phrase that I feel is the backbone of my overall sound and songwriting approach. The ever-growing confidence to just trusting myself to write lyrics and craft melodies and let the songs form as they form.
Q. You mentioned a feeling of wanting to be your own vocalist but also appreciating Jessica's unique take on your music. How do you reconcile the desire to express your own voice while also being open to others' interpretations of your work?
A. I know that my singing abilities are just enough to craft melodies and I have learned to not care about not singing in tune and just sing with heart for my worktapes. I now often work with some gems of vocalists who are excellent at interpreting my vocal worktapes while adding their creative flair.
Also, my goal with most of my songs is to have other artists cut them. And with that, I’m 100% open to changes to fit their artistry and I very much look forward to those versions of my songs.
Q. Outside of music, who or what has had the biggest influence on your personal growth or artistic perspective?
A. Therapy. I definitely needed to start going when I did and I’m very grateful to continue to have therapy in my life.
Q. Do you find yourself needing to push back against trends to stay true to your sound, or do you feel like the current state of music encourages innovation?
A. I don’t really worry or think a lot about any of that. I just songwrite in my voice and hope that when songs I’ve penned or help co-pen get the chance to be out in the world, that they resonate with at least one person.
Q. What do you want people to remember most about you after hearing this song and reading this interview?
A. I strive to be a safe space.
Q. And finally, what’s next? Can you give us the inside scoop on your upcoming projects and what fans should be excited about? We'd love to be the first to share the news!
A. I’m working on completing my debut EP.
And I would really love to film a live performance of a song of mine. I have a few unreleased songs in mind that I would choose from.
Elena C. Lockleis, thank you so much, we appreciate you taking the time to talk to us!
End Interview
We’re happy to have shared Elena C. Lockleis’s exciting journey with you and uncovered such inspiring insights about their creative process.
