JFC talk Solo Life, Rudimental and
Hearing Yourself On The Radio With
London Sensation Ella Eyre
The past twenty-four months in the life of Ella Eyre would be enough to put most regular human beings in a coma. Prolific is an understatement.
Eyre starred on Rudimental’s number one smash hit ‘Waiting All Night’, and won the BRIT for ‘Single of the Year’ as a result. She was nominated for the Critics’ Choice Award, came second in the BBC’s Sound of 2014 Award, won the Best Newcomer MOBO in 2014 and the Best Female award in 2015.
The Londoner starred on DJ Fresh’s ‘Gravity’, released three top-twenty charting solo singles in ‘If I Go’, ‘Comeback’ and ‘Together’, co-wrote UK number one ‘Changing’ for Sigma and Paloma Faith, toured extensively with Rudimental, Olly Murs and by herself, dropped her debut album in August and became the face of England Rugby’s World Cup campaign soundtrack with a cover of “Swing Low, Sweet Chariot” in September.
She’s also still only 21-years-old, and believe it or not, just like you and me, she only has 24 hours in her day.
How did it all happen? We caught up with Ella to ask exactly that. She admits she learned a lot through her early touring with Rudimental, and the rest? Well, talent and tenacity are to thank.
“I guess it was kind of random, how I first met Rudimental,” she says. “I had just signed for Virgin and they heard a couple of demos through the grapevine and liked my vocals so they asked me to come in and do a bit of writing with them.
“From there I joined them on tour and having done seven months on tour with them they asked me to do ‘Waiting All Night’.”
Eyre starred on Rudimental’s number one smash hit ‘Waiting All Night’, and won the BRIT for ‘Single of the Year’ as a result. She was nominated for the Critics’ Choice Award, came second in the BBC’s Sound of 2014 Award, won the Best Newcomer MOBO in 2014 and the Best Female award in 2015.
The Londoner starred on DJ Fresh’s ‘Gravity’, released three top-twenty charting solo singles in ‘If I Go’, ‘Comeback’ and ‘Together’, co-wrote UK number one ‘Changing’ for Sigma and Paloma Faith, toured extensively with Rudimental, Olly Murs and by herself, dropped her debut album in August and became the face of England Rugby’s World Cup campaign soundtrack with a cover of “Swing Low, Sweet Chariot” in September.
She’s also still only 21-years-old, and believe it or not, just like you and me, she only has 24 hours in her day.
How did it all happen? We caught up with Ella to ask exactly that. She admits she learned a lot through her early touring with Rudimental, and the rest? Well, talent and tenacity are to thank.
“I guess it was kind of random, how I first met Rudimental,” she says. “I had just signed for Virgin and they heard a couple of demos through the grapevine and liked my vocals so they asked me to come in and do a bit of writing with them.
“From there I joined them on tour and having done seven months on tour with them they asked me to do ‘Waiting All Night’.”
Of course, touring for seven months is bound to be tiring. Touring for seven months with Rudimental though, the drum and bass quartet famous for the ferocity of their parties? Well, that’s got to be damn ridiculous.
Ella laughs, “It was exactly how you just described it. It was definitely rowdy. It was my first sort of entry into the industry as well so it was quite a dramatic entrance if I’m honest!
“I guess in a way the boys love to party and love to have a good time and I definitely learned from them that it’s all about enjoying yourself as well as working.”
Despite her love for the Rudimental crew though, Eyre admits that she knew the time was right to set about kickstarting her solo career in 2014. She continued: “By the time I left I was really ready to leave. I had no intention of being on tour with them forever as much as I loved them!
“I wouldn’t say it’s easy [going solo], though. I wouldn’t say it’s ever easy to make a name for yourself. It’s always going to take a lot of grafting and a lot of hard work and I learned a lot from the guys.
“By the time it came around to go solo and do my thing, it was just the right time. I had learned a lot about myself in terms of developing as an artist and the type of music that I wanted to make. And I applied that. I’ve been very fortunate in the support I’ve got from the radio and the media as well.
Ella laughs, “It was exactly how you just described it. It was definitely rowdy. It was my first sort of entry into the industry as well so it was quite a dramatic entrance if I’m honest!
“I guess in a way the boys love to party and love to have a good time and I definitely learned from them that it’s all about enjoying yourself as well as working.”
Despite her love for the Rudimental crew though, Eyre admits that she knew the time was right to set about kickstarting her solo career in 2014. She continued: “By the time I left I was really ready to leave. I had no intention of being on tour with them forever as much as I loved them!
“I wouldn’t say it’s easy [going solo], though. I wouldn’t say it’s ever easy to make a name for yourself. It’s always going to take a lot of grafting and a lot of hard work and I learned a lot from the guys.
“By the time it came around to go solo and do my thing, it was just the right time. I had learned a lot about myself in terms of developing as an artist and the type of music that I wanted to make. And I applied that. I’ve been very fortunate in the support I’ve got from the radio and the media as well.
“I listen to the radio quite a lot, especially when I’m driving, and you still never really expect it. It’s a surprise everytime!”
Safe to say that Eyre certainly has done well for herself, critically and commercially. She writes all of her own material and the distinctive, powerful vocals that have lead to her popularity are just as unrelenting as her drive and graft.
Ella remains more than modest about her success though, being blown away by her rise through the industry and the reaction to her work so far.
“So far the reactions have been positive... touring with Olly Murs and just getting a mental reaction was just so good. It’s been absolutely crazy.
“He has such a huge fan base and it’s amazing that he let me join him on tour. To share that fan base and meet new people was so great. He’s such a genuine person, and I learned a lot from him.
“I loved being at the BRIT awards too. It’s such an amazing event. The singles have been well received and just to actually have the album out there and getting heard so much... well there’s not much more you can really ask for!”
Safe to say that there is little more Ella could probably have asked for in the past two years. Mainly because she wouldn’t have had the time to fit it in.
One thing is for sure though, if the Londoner can continue to emulate her success in the next couple of years, the sky is the limit, and she could very well become an even more common name on radios and televisions around the United Kingdom and beyond.
Oh, and let us just remind you again, she’s still only 21-years-old.
Safe to say that Eyre certainly has done well for herself, critically and commercially. She writes all of her own material and the distinctive, powerful vocals that have lead to her popularity are just as unrelenting as her drive and graft.
Ella remains more than modest about her success though, being blown away by her rise through the industry and the reaction to her work so far.
“So far the reactions have been positive... touring with Olly Murs and just getting a mental reaction was just so good. It’s been absolutely crazy.
“He has such a huge fan base and it’s amazing that he let me join him on tour. To share that fan base and meet new people was so great. He’s such a genuine person, and I learned a lot from him.
“I loved being at the BRIT awards too. It’s such an amazing event. The singles have been well received and just to actually have the album out there and getting heard so much... well there’s not much more you can really ask for!”
Safe to say that there is little more Ella could probably have asked for in the past two years. Mainly because she wouldn’t have had the time to fit it in.
One thing is for sure though, if the Londoner can continue to emulate her success in the next couple of years, the sky is the limit, and she could very well become an even more common name on radios and televisions around the United Kingdom and beyond.
Oh, and let us just remind you again, she’s still only 21-years-old.
Stuart Kenny
RSS Feed
