Features : Exclusive Interview with Elie Al Hajj

Artist Spotlight: Elie Al Hajj

With “My Falling Star,” Ely is committed to building a genuine audience for his own songs — not just covers, not just regional radio play, but an international fan base connected by shared emotion and respect.

In this conversation, Elie Al Hajj dives into the memories that shaped their voice and the vision shaping their future.

Fresh Music World: When did you first realize you wanted to be a musician?

Elie Al Hajj: I first realized I wanted to be a musician when I started listening to the Beatles. i loved the vintage sound of their songs. The harmonies and I felt a direct connect with them. All my school friends wanted to play Harder stuff in their bands for groups like Metallica. Nirvana. Slayer. But I wanted to sound vintage and different at that time, back in 1996, when I was 14 years old.

Fresh Music World:Who was your first major musical mentor, and what did you learn from them?

Elie Al Hajj: My first musical mentor was a guy in my town, whose name was Dany Abou Hammad. He gave me a couple of lessons; I remember learning to play George Harrison's My Sweet Lord. Paul Anka's Papa. And a lot more pop-rock tunes. But it wasn't for a long time. After that, I continued learning the guitar by myself and from Guitar Magazines.

Fresh Music World:What’s the most significant change you’ve seen in yourself since starting your music career?

Elie Al Hajj: My early songs and instrumental tracks were a bit weird and non-commercial, but I was experimenting  at the same time I was growing older. I never focused on my singing at that time. My main focus was the music. But when I started performing in a band, I understood and felt that this is what I want to do and this is who I am . And as the years went by, I became better and better as a singer.

Fresh Music World:How do you manage stress and maintain mental well-being?

Elie Al Hajj: I go out for walks in forests and refresh my mind, my nose, and my soul. I love listening to the sound of nature . The wind. The birds, and meeting with Cats and Dogs. I have four cats at home, and being with them helps me feel great because they are wonderful creatures and funny too sometimes.

Fresh Music World:What role does reflection play in your personal and professional development?

Elie Al Hajj: Honesty, love, and respect are the three main roles that keep me going forward. There is always a time for praying every day. A time for thinking and learning from the past and mistakes. And love is always there with me in every step I make. I  am here, but not for long, like everyone, a visitor, and one day I will leave . And God to me is everything. I can't live without talking to him daily. It helps me go on and know my place in this life.

Fresh Music World:Have you experimented with different genres or styles in your music?

Elie Al Hajj: Yes, I started as a pop musician. After that, a classic rock singer. So I went through different styles depending on the crowd and events that I performed in with my bands. Recently, I decided to start singing and releasing good songs in my Language too. But in the end, the Rock roots are in all the songs i produce and sing on.

Fresh Music World:What message or theme do you hope listeners take away from your latest single, "My Falling Star"?

Elie Al Hajj: If you love someone so much, but they don't love you back the same, then you have to let go. We don't always get what we really want, and everything happens for a reason.  There is always a time for love and for success, and other times for failure and learning new lessons in life. The star that I wished upon that night near the beach when I was sitting with my ex-girlfriend gave me back my wish, but not for a long time. I wished that me and her stay together, but it only lasted three more years after that night. So my shooting star fell from the sky and crashed. That's why I called the song My Falling Star. But my girl will always be somewhere inside me when I think about her or miss her.

Fresh Music World:How have your fans responded to your latest release? Were you surprised by any reactions?

Elie Al Hajj: I wasn't surprised because I felt that it's time for them to hear a decent new release, and I am glad to hear good feedback from everybody. Thanks God for this.

Fresh Music World:How do you navigate the challenges of being an independent artist versus being signed to a label?

Elie Al Hajj: It's really difficult to lift a musical career without the help of some experts and people with connections, most of the time, because nowadays everybody wants to become popular, especially on social media, and the competition is huge. Some make it, and some keep trying, or they make it small. I have been trying for some time now to achieve a successful musical career, and I will tell you honestly that it's not easy at all. especially in my country, when most people enjoy listening to oriental music. I don't want to be an oriental artist . I aim to have a different musical direction and to sing in English. and waiting for the day and moment to sign a record deal in god's will.

Fresh Music World:How do you connect with your audience during a performance?

Elie Al Hajj: I connect with the audience when they feel what I give. When I am standing there and sending them the vibes from my heart, I feel alive when they understand how happy I am and sing along with me. It's a mutual feeling, and it's magical. I love it.