Formula Indie Sessions – Interview with Elliot Ernst
A Small island of positivity in an ocean of despair Elliott Ernst, formerly known as the lead visionary, vocalist, guitarist, and songwriter of the Charlotte-based rock band Sand Dolls®, is now stepping into the spotlight as a solo artist. With Sand Dolls®, Elliott carved out a reputation for delivering a hard-hitting fusion of Alternative Metal, Hard Rock, and Grunge, with a heavy Stoner Rock undercurrent and flashes of Indie and Doom. The band’s debut album Incognito (2020) quickly stood out for its raw, experimental sound—famously captured using nothing more than a pair of Apple EarPods as the microphone. Critics and fans alike praised the album’s enchanting, gritty textures and its unfiltered energy. Following up with the ambitious sophomore project Rebel, Elliott showcased his growth as a songwriter and producer, pushing the band toward a sharper, more defined sonic identity. Now, as a solo artist, Elliott Ernst is embracing a new chapter—fusing the lessons learned from Sand Dolls® with his own creative vision. His solo work promises to strip away boundaries, highlighting the powerful vocals, raw emotion, and storytelling that have always defined his artistry. Elliott is no longer just leading a band—he’s stepping out on his own to craft music that is personal, unrestrained, and authentic. This solo journey marks not an end, but an evolution.
Q: What is your earliest memory connected to music?
Wow, I was such a shy kid, but I loved performing in my room. I’d put on my own shows and imagine myself on stage — I had all this fire within me, but I wasn’t ready to show it yet. My earliest memory connected to music would probably be when I was about three years old. I
used to sing and mimic the Inspector Gadget theme — I loved how the choir sang the backing vocals. It was all just a work of art to me. During the early 2000s, there were so many Disney shows that involved singing, so I really grew up surrounded by it. My sister also had great taste in music and showed me a lot of cool stuff from that time. I remember when Michael Jackson died — VH1 played his music videos 24 hours a day, and I’d pop in a blank VHS tape to record as many as I could. When I first saw the Jackson 5, I was sold. That’s where my love for music really started.
Q: How did your passion for creating music begin?
I grew up watching so many talented artists — Elvis, Michael Jackson, and all the new artists that were emerging around the turn of the millennium. So it was always rooted in my mind. Nobody in my family really has musical talent except me, so it’s kind of something that created itself. My mom always says I came out singing in a way, so I guess I was born for it.
Q: What’s the story behind your current music project?
The album I’m working on is my debut album — a collection of songs I wrote around age 16, give or take. My goal is for my fans to hear my true evolution as a songwriter. This project really starts from the beginning, and it’s exciting to revisit these songs and polish them into their best form.
Q: How would you describe your sound to someone who’s never heard your music before?
It’s something you really have to dive into — not something you can just listen to passively. It’s a journey, sonically. There are a lot of layers and emotion; it’s cinematic in a way. My sound is the sum of all my influences merged together into one fireball of emotion.
Q: What’s one thing you’ve learned that completely changed the way you make music?
That less is more. Get it right, and don’t accept less than what you deserve. Make it exactly the way you want it. It’s often not as hard as it seems — you just have to get to work.
Q: What tools, instruments, or software are essential to your creative process?
My guitar and my voice are the most essential tools. I also need to be well-rested and in a good mood to record — or at least well-caffeinated! If I’m not in a good mood, sometimes I can even get more done when I get mad at it. My home studio setup is absolutely key to my creative process.
Q: What indie artist or song are you learning right now?
Honestly, nobody at the moment. I’ve been revisiting Michael Jackson’s Bad album, and it’s fantastic going back to it as an adult.
Q: How have your personal experiences influenced your music and artistic vision?
Everything I write is either about something that happened to me or to someone else, and I’m reacting to it. Experiences are the foundation of a good song — sometimes the story even creates itself. Writing is all about channeling different perspectives.
Q: What emotions or messages do you hope listeners take from your work?
That you can go through everything life throws at you and still come out stronger. We all process things differently, but my music aims to bridge that gap — to help people understand and feel less alone. Maybe it’s like a message in a bottle — you don’t know exactly who will pick it up or how they’ll interpret it, but it’s meant to connect on a deeper level.
Q: What’s the most important lesson music has taught you so far?
That it’s all energy. The frequency of that energy matters so much — and it’s not easy to get it right. Listening to people who truly understand how to capture those frequencies can help you create music that feels magical.
Q: What’s a dream venue or festival you’d love to play?
I’d love to play at the Whisky a Go Go — that’s always been a dream. And if I could play Woodstock someday, that would be incredible. Green Day played there in ’94, and since they’re a big influence on me, being part of that same legacy would mean a lot.
Q: If you could collaborate with any artist, past or present, who would it be?
That’s a hard one, but I’d say either Michael Jackson or Kurt Cobain. Both had such a huge impact on me as an artist. Collaborating with either of them would be pure magic — something three times as powerful as anything on the radio today.
Q: Where can listeners follow and support your music?
You can follow me on Spotify and Instagram — those are my main platforms. But really, anywhere you prefer to listen is fine. I’m focusing mainly on Instagram and Spotify for now.
Q: Looking toward the future, what’s your dream for the next chapter of your musical journey?
My dream is to stick to my plan, follow all the fine details, and see where it takes me. I’m focused on growth, creating my best work, and connecting with people through my music.
Q: What do you hope listeners will discover about you along the way?
I hope they discover that their life can feel a little lighter when they connect to a song emotionally. That they’re not alone — we’re all here trying to make sense of life. If my art can bring even a little more love or understanding into the world, then I’ve done my job.
