In our Tell Me Más series, we spotlight Latinx artists and creators who are breaking boundaries and prioritizing their well-being. This month, we sat down with Colombian singer-songwriter Elsa y Elmar for a candid conversation about mental health, creative burnout, and the deeply personal journey behind her latest album, PALACIO, set to release on August 30.
Elsa Margarita Carvajal, better known by her stage name Elsa y Elmar, is no stranger to reinvention. With a Latin Grammy nomination and over a decade in the music scene, she’s become a voice of introspection and quiet rebellion. But as she enters one of the most pivotal moments of her career—headlining her largest tour to date—Carvajal reveals that her path has been anything but effortless.
The Pressure Behind the Spotlight
Long before the critical acclaim and sold-out shows, Carvajal spent years carving her own lane in a saturated music industry. Her distinctive sound—a blend of indie-pop, Latin soul, and introspective lyricism—often left executives unsure of how to market her.
“I’m not from that generation of iconic women in Latin pop like Julieta Venegas or Belenova,” she says. “And I’m also not urbano. From day one, people would say, ‘I don’t know where you fit in.’”
Despite the ambiguity, Elsa y Elmar’s unique voice struck a chord with fans who saw themselves in her honest lyrics and emotive melodies. Still, the climb was steep. The pressures of staying relevant, creating constantly, and measuring up to others in the industry began to take a toll on her mental well-being.
“The pressure can be motivating, but also exhausting,” she admits. “There’s this voice that says, ‘You could be doing more,’ even when you’re already giving everything.”
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When Burnout Becomes Unavoidable
After the success of her previous album Ya No Somos Los Mismos, Carvajal faced the realities of burnout head-on. She found herself stuck in an endless cycle of working, creating, promoting, and comparing—until the weight became too heavy to ignore.
“I was tired of the bureaucracy, the expectations, the constant chase,” she explains. “I decided that if I was going to chase something, it needed to be my own dream—not someone else’s vision.”
That realization led her to take a two-year hiatus—one without deadlines, label demands, or outside noise. During that time, she focused on healing, reflection, and redefining success on her own terms. The result of that internal work is PALACIO, an album that not only marks her return to the spotlight but also her rebirth as an artist and individual.
Creating PALACIO: Art as Therapy
PALACIO, released under her independent label Elmar Presenta, is a deeply personal exploration of emotional recovery, self-worth, and human connection. Written during her break, the album blends vulnerability with creative boldness, touching on universal themes like heartbreak, identity, and womanhood.
“I used that time off to understand when I needed to be ‘on’ and when it was okay to be still,” she says. “And I trusted that creativity would come back—it always does.”
One of the most buzzed-about tracks on the album is “Entre Las Piernas,” a celebration of menstruation and bodily autonomy. For many, the topic remains taboo, but for Elsa y Elmar, it was an opportunity to start a necessary conversation.
“It just hit me—half the planet bleeds once a month, and we’re still embarrassed to talk about it,” she shares. “Thousands of songs have been written about love and heartbreak, but no one’s written about this thing that’s so common and powerful.”
Another standout is “Visto”, a song that tackles the uniquely modern heartbreak of being left on read. What might seem like a trivial frustration becomes, in her hands, a poignant metaphor for abandonment and silence.
“It’s about vulnerability,” she explains. “When you open up to someone and they don’t respond, it leaves a hole. It’s not just about being ignored—it’s about the questions it creates inside you.”
The Realities of Being a Full-Time Artist
Beyond the beauty of her music, Carvajal is candid about the challenges behind the scenes. “People think being a musician is glamorous, but it’s physically and mentally draining,” she says. “You’re constantly giving—on stage, in interviews, online. Sometimes, it feels like you’re never really off.”
To maintain balance, she leans into cycles of productivity and rest. “I’ve learned to take full advantage of creative highs,” she says. “When I’m inspired, I go all in—writing, recording, filming. But I’ve also learned to embrace the slow seasons. They’re not failures; they’re part of the rhythm.”
That rhythmic balance has become crucial to her process, and it’s one she encourages other creatives to honor.
Advice for Others Navigating Burnout and Pressure
For fans and fellow artists who may be facing similar struggles, Carvajal offers grounded, gentle advice.
“I recently heard something that stayed with me: ‘If a problem has a solution, it’s not a problem. And if it doesn’t have a solution… it’s also not a problem,’” she says. “It helped me reframe things. Some things just aren’t in your control—and that’s okay.”
Her journey is a reminder that success isn’t just about charts and tours. It’s about sustainability—emotionally, mentally, spiritually. And PALACIO is a sonic reflection of that truth.
Redefining the Meaning of “Success”
In stepping away from the mainstream machine and launching her own label, Elsa y Elmar has redefined what success looks like—for herself and for others watching.
“With PALACIO, I wanted to create a space—a palace—for myself. A place where I could feel whole, accepted, enough,” she says. “We all need that. Especially when the world asks us to give so much without asking how we’re doing.”
This ethos carries through every lyric, melody, and performance. It’s what makes her music resonate so deeply with audiences across borders and backgrounds.
The Future of Elsa y Elmar
With PALACIO dropping August 30 and her biggest tour to date on the horizon, Elsa y Elmar is stepping into a new era—one defined not by external approval, but by personal alignment.
She’s proof that creativity doesn’t have to come at the cost of mental health. That taking a break isn’t quitting. And that in the silence, some of the most profound songs can be written.
As Carvajal puts it: “In order to make space for anything—love, success, healing—you have to make space for yourself first. That’s what PALACIO is. It’s my space. And now, I’m inviting others in.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Elsa y Elmar?
Elsa y Elmar is the stage name of Colombian singer-songwriter Elsa Carvajal. Known for blending Latin pop, indie, and soulful lyricism, she’s received critical acclaim and a Latin Grammy nomination for her emotionally rich music.
What is the meaning behind the album “Palacio”?
“Palacio” represents a personal sanctuary for Elsa—an emotional space where she reflects, heals, and reclaims her identity. The album explores themes of self-worth, mental health, femininity, and vulnerability.
How did mental health influence the making of “Palacio”?
Elsa y Elmar took a two-year break due to burnout and emotional exhaustion. During this time, she focused on self-care and reflection, which deeply shaped the album’s introspective and empowering tone.
Why did Elsa take a break from music before “Palacio”?
Elsa stepped back due to creative burnout and pressure from the industry. She realized that to continue creating authentically, she needed to prioritize her mental health and emotional well-being.
Is Elsa y Elmar signed to a major label?
No. Palacio was released under her independent label Elmar Presenta, giving her full creative control and allowing her to align her art with her values.
When was “Palacio” released?
The album Palacio is scheduled for release on August 30.
Where can I listen to “Palacio”?
You can stream Palacio on all major platforms including Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube after its release date.
Conclusion
Elsa y Elmar’s journey through burnout, healing, and self-discovery has not only shaped her as an artist but also redefined what it means to create with purpose. Palacio isn’t just an album—it’s a deeply personal statement about mental health, emotional resilience, and the courage to slow down in a world that rarely allows it. By choosing authenticity over perfection, Elsa invites her listeners into a space of honesty, vulnerability, and empowerment.