Elliot Alves aka Lil Mojave
Age: 16
“Music is an outlet, and also a hobby.”
Elliot Alves started playing guitar when he was 12. Soon after, he realized:
“I don’t want to learn other people’s songs, so I might as well start writing.”
Alves, now 16, writes about relationships and sad experiences. “It’s a good way to get that out,” he said.
What used to take weeks to write now flows freely. “It felt like I unlogged a part of myself that I didn’t know I had.”
Alves heard about the Mixtape Project on Facebook and was all in.
As an early participant, he logged onto virtual meetings, where the youth and facilitators discussed with sincerity their art
and participated in writing exercises together.
Initially, Alves said he was pleasantly surprised to see he’s not the only person his age who writes music.
This art form is an outlet and hobby for him, and it has helped him process death and heartbreak.
You’re still there in the way back of my mind
Leave me alone told you it’s not a good time
I liked you until i found out that you’re lying
How many times gotta say get out my life
Before the Mixtape Project, Alves recorded music at home. There are limitations to his set-up, and he has felt disappointed
with the quality.
Participating in this project has meant a lot, to have access and to meet up and make music that’s similar to his.
His takeaways: “There’s always something to do with your music. You can always go somewhere even when it feels like
there’s nowhere to go,” he said.
Above all, he feels supported in the Mixtape community. “Everyone is going to be there to help you always, to write or
find an outlet.”
Alves hopes others will be impressed by his contributions to the Mixtape, and he has dreams of going further with his music.
“Of course, I love writing songs, but it’d be really cool if I could make money or do live performances,”
he said. His advice for other creatives is don’t give up. Write about what you love, avoid the fake and always be open to
accepting constructive feedback and revise. Listen to more of his music
written by Melinda Lavine
