Words by Art Jefferson
Photography by Kirsten McTernan
Ellie James has a bright future, the kind of luminous beam that typically transfers into certified stardom. This assessment would appear to be a mere understatement, considering that the Welsh singer, songwriter and guitarist, who records under the moniker of Ellie Makes Music, has already been awarded the title of Artist of the Week on BBC Radio Wales, not to mention has garnished airplay on BBC Radio 2 and BBC Radio 6. With an organic sound that combines folk, pop and alternative, the sincerity of her music maintains a certain value built for the long haul rather than the ‘hot act of the minute’.
Raised in Cardiff, Ellie Makes Music released her debut EP City Lights in 2013. Her warm and rich vocals instantly caught the attention of the UK press, quickly comparing her to acts such as Taylor Swift and Ellie Goulding. The EP blossomed with exquisite musical arrangements along with Ellie’s gorgeous vocals which proved that she was more than up to par with her comparisons, but had the might to stand as a defined artist in her own lane.
With her second EP Are You Listening? showcasing her rapid growth and maturity as a well-balanced artist, Ellie Makes Music’s light will be shining vividly for quite a long time.
I read that you first began singing through theatre. Would you say that coming from the lane of theatre helped to prep you in terms of your live music performance?
Ellie Makes Music – I used to do a lot of theatre when I was younger, yes! Mostly because I wished I could be Annie when I was little because she was ginger and could sing, so my parents took me to a weekend theatre school. I would say that it did help a lot because it made me a lot more confident and helped me to find my voice.
When did you first begin playing guitar?
Ellie Makes Music – I started to learn to play guitar at the start of high school, so I was 11 or 12 years old. My dad used to play guitar so I was always interested in it. I remember him trying to teach my brothers once and they were both a bit useless! I mostly taught myself, though I did have a few lessons here and there too.
Can you talk about some of your musical influences from the past and present?
Ellie Makes Music – My first influence was Busted and I’m not even ashamed. As painfully pop as they were, they were my first gentle introduction to music that was a bit heavier. As I got older my music taste changed a bit – probably for the better – and now I’d say my main influences range from Arcade Fire and Ben Howard to Joni Mitchell and Taylor Swift!
You’re quite prolific as a songwriter as well. Does that love of words hark back to your childhood, also do you remember the first song that you wrote and what was it about?
Ellie Makes Music – I did read quite a bit when I was younger but I also used to write a lot of short stories. English was one of my favourite classes in school. I think that’s why I took up songwriting because I don’t have the patience to write a full-length novel, but a song is just a story set to music! The first song I remember writing and actually finishing was called Superman. It was just terrible. It just had loads of random lines that didn’t really fit together coherently at all!
You’re also a member of The Floral Wham Trams. Talk about the origins and your history with that band.
Ellie Makes Music – The Floral Wham Trams formed when I started university. We met in the first week of term and quite quickly became obsessed with each other! They’re some of the best friends I’ve ever had and that’s what we try to put across in our music. We describe ourselves as ‘circus-folk’ because we try and write fun, upbeat folk-pop! Plus we swap instruments so much and stick together so much that we’re like a travelling circus!
You’re set to release your Are You Listening? EP. How would describe the new recording in comparison to your 2013 release City Lights?
Ellie Makes Music – Are You Listening? marks how much I’ve changed and grown as a person, as well as a musician. The first EP City Lights is very organic and clean sounding, whilst the new EP introduces some synths and electric guitars; it’s a bit grittier and a bit more grown up, but still a lot of fun! I definitely got to experiment a bit more with Are You Listening? and I’m extremely proud of it!
I know that you’ve been hitting the road, playing loads of shows including Bath Fest this past May. What else do you have forthcoming?
Ellie Makes Music – I’m currently on tour with my friend Kizzy Crawford! Our tour covers Bangor, Bath, Bristol, Cardiff and London, so check out my website for more details on those shows! I’m also going to be playing at Corsham’s Pound Arts Centre on July 17th, the Pipes Beer Festival in Cardiff on July 18th and I’ve got some exciting shows lined up for September too, including The Big Cwtch and the Penarth Songwriter’s Circle!
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