Ellur

By David Wang

PC: Connor Hanson

Born in a small British town called Halifax, singer-songwriter ELLUR is no stranger to the world of 90s Brit-pop/rock. As a child, she began composing piano pop ballads in the style of Adele. Her hottest single, “Alive,” has traces of 90’s Brit-rock fused with Celine Dion-esque power ballads. One day—true to the spirit of Brit-pop/rock—she hopes to perform at the famous Albert Hall in Manchester. ELLUR will be releasing a major announcement within a few weeks—so as always, stay tuned. We recently spoke to the artist about her musical influences, songwriting process, and more!

How did you start making music?

So I started making and writing  music when I was around 10 or 11, I think I wrote a song on the piano, using the same chords as Adele’s “Someone Like You”, which would probably explain why a lot of the songs I write tend to be in a pop ballad style! (I’m yet to release any of those though haha). I think, growing up around music and bands and gigs and festivals, it’s meant that I just live for music now. Going to gigs is a great place for inspiration and, despite the current circumstances, I just want to be performing! 

Which artist has had the biggest influence on your style?

It’s hard to choose just one artist as I immerse myself in so many different genres and types of artists. I think it would only be fair, though, to say my Dad as if I hadn’t grown up surrounded by music and hadn’t met so many bands and been to so many live shows I may have never chosen a career in music. I’ve also grown up listening to him write songs all the time and so I take a lot from his writing processes. It’s so great now that I get a chance to work collaboratively with him as we work really well together and it’s so easy because the studio’s in house too haha! He really is my musical idol though, his songwriting is truly phenomenal.

Take us through your process in making “Alive.”

My Dad came to me one day with this drum beat that he’d made with his girlfriend, Nicole Hope Smith, originally for their band EEVAH (they’re really cool check them out). I then sat at the piano and played some chords over it and my Dad played along with his guitar and it kind of just fell out of me haha. We then set to finding other things to add and my dad wrote this bassline that I absolutely loved! I now play the bass when I perform that song (and let me tell you I feel super badass hahaha)... I always take voice memo’s of all my writing sessions though, as soon as I sit at a piano or pick up an instrument and sometimes they can be hours long haha. Maybe I’ll release the recording of that session though one day!

What was the last song you listened to?

“Overkill” by Holly Humberstone. I found her music through an instagram advert one day and oh my god I absolutely fell in love with all her songs. Overkill in particular though is a really beautiful song, I just bloody love that melody haha.

When you aren’t making music, what are some of your favorite things to do?

I love just going to the pub for a pint and seeing my mates really. I’m also really into TikTok at the minute, it’s like the re-birth of vine and I’m living for it hahaha!

Every artist has a dream venue. What’s yours?

Probably the Albert Hall in Manchester, UK… I’ve been to so many gigs there before and it’s just so bloody beautiful! There’s this huge organ behind the stage which makes the acoustics in there so beautiful….it’s got a proper church vibe or something, I love it!

Any future projects for fans to get excited about?

Yeah I’ve just released another single and the video for that will shortly follow… I also have another announcement about a pretty big release coming up in a couple of weeks so keep your eyes peeled for that one!