Rising Stars: Meet Delaney Esper

Today we’d like to introduce you to Delaney Esper.

Hi Delaney, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstories.
I was born and raised in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. It’s a really special place to me, most people who know me well tease me for how much I talk about Pittsburgh. It’s a place with a lot of charm.

A considerable time of my life was spent listening to my Dad’s CDs and mixtapes. The basement of his house has a whole wall composed of CDs in their cases. Some of my most comforting memories include the radio in the kitchen moving music through the floorboards of my second-story bedroom, or my Dad coming home with used CDs for me to check out on my own stereo.

My first memory of really wanting to be involved in the music world is in third grade. I created this band called “Pixie Dust” at recess with my friends and gave us all parts in the band. I wrote all of the songs, but I didn’t play any instruments at the time so I would just sing to my friends. I’ve always loved writing and have kept a diary or journal ever since I learned to write.

For a long time, I didn’t do anything about my love for writing music until I got connected to a really talented guitarist from home. Anytime I would come home from college for breaks we would make little demos of songs. It felt so special and right, but we were always quiet about it.

I have always written poetry, and done little doodles. In 2017, I made this secret account for myself on Instagram called @heartslang. I didn’t tell anyone I made it for months, and I mean anyone. It was kind of me testing the waters, I suppose, because I knew I loved drawing and writing, but felt like I wasn’t allowed to call myself an artist of any capacity without any real training of sorts. I had placed myself in this identity that Julia Cameron, the author of “The Artist’s Way” describes as a “shadow artist”. I knew there was something different happening inside my little heart, but didn’t quite want to let anyone hear or see that.

When I moved to Nashville, about a year and a half ago, I had brought one finished song with me. I didn’t have any plans to do anything with it, but the person I was dating said I should send it to this producer he had heard of named Thad Kopec. Months after living here, I went to that producer and songwriter’s rooftop show because I loved his music. I figured I would introduce myself and maybe ask if I could send him a song, but to my surprise, he introduced himself, via the magic of Instagram he knew who I was and this gave me the courage to share.

Thad and I work really easily together. It’s a super special musical connection. I feel really lucky. My first EP comes out this week, it’s called “Slow Leak” in honor of the great, long journey it’s been for me to get to a place where I feel comfortable actually calling myself an artist and leaning into that identity.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I think my biggest struggle has just been in my head. I’ve always been a pretty anxious person, but when I feel like the fear is worth digging into, I do that. The process of allowing things I’ve written to be heard and for my voice to be heard in that way has been such a vulnerable new world to enter.

I think the biggest struggle to overcome was my first show which was this summer. I almost begged a higher power for the rain to come so it wouldn’t happen, which is so silly, but I am really glad it didn’t get called off, it was a special and perfect night on the rooftop where I met my producer almost exactly a year before.

The rooftop was filled with the sweetest community of incredible people I’ve met here.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I suppose right now I would say that I specialize mostly in writing and performing my own music. I love almost all mediums of art. I draw still and write poetry still, I’ve even drawn tattoo designs for some friends which are really crazy to me.

I think the very thing that used to keep me in the shadows is what sets me apart. I haven’t been doing all of this in a public or real way for my whole life. I’ve sort of just begun and that feels really unique and special. I am honestly just showing up and giving my best and having a ton of fun with it all.

Have you learned any interesting or important lessons due to the Covid-19 Crisis?
I think my most important takeaway from this global health crisis has been to slow down and always, always be selfless in your care for others.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laneyesper/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/laneyesper
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/miscellanelis
• Other: https://open.spotify.com/artist/7FcC6gSlV7ONLxNUYVFiBO?si=vkyLzPpORcurf5YYM_nKdg