Meg Elsier landed in Toronto on Nov. 7 for her very first show in the city, at The Baby G venue.

She is a young indie rock artist who grew up outside Boston, playing guitar by herself in her room, too shy and nervous to play in front of anyone else. But everything changed when she moved to Nashville eight years ago and found a community that supported her in finding her confidence and artistic identity.

To celebrate the artist she has become, she released her debut album earlier this year, Spittake, and is currently on tour with her bandmates, Hayden Cotcher and Jashaun Smith

Her album merges elements of pop, indie, folk, and grunge, and reflects everything that she is as an artist.

“I think [my genre] is like indie rock, for sure, but indie rock is so big. I’m like, in a little corner of it. And it’s just because we need to put a name exactly. But I do like how everybody gets confused because they have no idea how to categorize it,” she said.

Her inspiration for this album goes from Broadway, classic rock, and the soundtrack from movies such as Harry Potter and Pirates of the Caribbean.

And the process for writing her songs is deeply personal, where lyrics and music come together, reflecting her most vulnerable moments and emotions.

“I write when I’m distressed or feeling something intense.”

Despite her talent, her transition from bedroom performances to the stage wasn’t easy. Even now that she is on tour, playing to a crowd, she still remembers the feeling back then.

“Every single time I go up on stage, I’m like, my stomach feels ridiculous, and my hands are shaking. It doesn’t become less scary, but it becomes easier to push through,” she adds.

While she is still learning how to push through her nerves each time she steps on stage, the process is definitely working, and she’s been receiving great responses when playing live.

forlyleinsanfrancisco, for example, has become one of her favorite tracks from Spittake, thanks to her fans.

“When I play it live, people just, like, start to bump into each other and dance. And it’s so fun to watch that.”

Throughout the rest of the year, the plan is to keep traveling across North America, performing for new crowds, and, as she said, having fun.

For someone who started in her room, without the intention of sharing her music with the world, being on tour is like a dream, and she wants to enjoy every moment.

To listen to Spittake, visit her Instagram @megelsier.