Sounds Like: Izzy Bizu, Joy Crookes, Mahalia
Our first Band of The Month of 2021 had to be a Brighton baby didn’t it really? Singer-songwriter Elli Ingram has been making waves for some time now and she shows no signs of slowing down. Elli is sweetly soulful and a little jazzy and we’re all over that shit. Special shout out to Kelly Morrison for creating this incredible illustration as well!
Hey Elli! How are you doing?
Why hello, I’m doing just fine thank you love.
Please introduce yourself to our lovely readers:
My name is Elli Ingram and I’m a singing / songwriter.
Fab stuff. How have you been coping with these continuously mad times? Are you all still based in Brighton?
Oh you know, like most of us, very up and down. Good days bad days you know how it goes. Yes I’m in Brighton at the moment which is lovely. I miss London but it made more sense to be in my hometown whilst all this madness is happening.
What have you been doing to keep yourself entertained?
A mix of weird and wonderful activity’s. Writing bits of music but not a great deal as the world is very uninspiring at the moment. Lots of raiding my arts and crafts box. I just moulded some candles into funky shapes, that was fun lol.
Sounds marvellous! You released your stunning single ‘Heavy’ in October – can you tell our readers what its all about?
Lyrically its a pretty gloomy song about conjuring up an exit plan. It’s been such a bleak time for all of us and I just felt so over the whole thing. I just wanted out.
What’s your songwriting process like?
It depends, recently I’ve been doing a lot of writing on my own. Writing poems and ideas so when I get into the studio I already have a story to tell. But sometimes I’ll sit a the piano and write there or go into the studio with no ideas and start catching a vibe with the producer.
A personal favourite song of ours is ‘Bad Behaviour’ – its so damn catchy! – was it fun to write?
Haha thank you! Yes it was actually, lots of fun! I feel so sassy when I sing it it’s great!
Oh we love a bit of sass.! Describe your sound in five words:
Ohhhh, soulful and a little jazzy.
Sazzy… Who would you say are your biggest influences?
Jill Scott, Angie stone and Amy Winehouse. I’m also obsessed with SZA.
Oh so are we! You released your debut album ‘Love You Really’ on Island Records, how did that come about?
The deal with Island? An A&R there discovered me and I always said if I was going to sign I would want it to be with Island. I did my second EP with them ‘The Doghouse‘ and then we did the album.
What advice would you give artists starting out in the music industry?
Find yourself a good manager who knows what they are doing and believe in your art.
Are there any emerging Brighton-based artists you’d recommend?
Frankie Stew and Harvey Gunn are a great hip-hop act from Brighton. They have been doing there thing for a while now and have some sick music out.
Yes we love those guys! What are your plans for 2021?
More music releases, more arts and crafts, more exercise.
Any final pearls of wisdom?
Never give up on yours dreams babyyyy
Never. Thanks so much Elli! Xxx