Performance

‘Let It Fly’ release, BBC Introducing and playing live.

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Wow, it feels like so much has happened since my last blog and it’s only been a month!

First of all, Let It Fly is OUT NOW!

Let It Fly

You can listen to this via all major streaming platforms! The Spotify link is below;

 

Whilst I was in Glasgow writing and recording some songs for an upcoming collaboration with Lillias Hobson, I found out I had been featured on BBC Introducing in Merseyside with host Dave Monks describing ‘Let It Fly’ as a “stand out track”.  You can listen to the show for the next 7 days: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p06hb7br

Lillias and I recorded two tracks whilst I was up in Glasgow, one of them we wrote and recorded during the weekend!  We hope to have a release date ASAP, right now the tracks are being mixed and mastered by Tobi (@producedbytobi) and are sounding amazing! If you haven’t already, you can follow our project on instagram @katieandlillias and you can check out Lillias’ solo music here https://open.spotify.com/artist/1CegSl6V33EQjSAtJk6q0V?si=RhpUOvWBTUevJKFRoSlGjg

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Lastly, I performed with my band on Wednesday at the Lamplight Sessions in Manchester! With a last minute line up change and a 10 minute (Ahh!) rehearsal with a different bassist, the show must go on and it couldn’t have gone any better! The audience response was amazing and we absolutely loved it! Massive thank you to Jordan on guitar and Arran on bass, couldn’t have done it without you! Midweek Music Club Manchester posted these amazing comments the day after the gig, thank you so much!

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As well as being my band they have their own music under the name Sino, they’ve recently released a song called Numbers which I can’t stop playing! Check it out!

 

I’ll leave you with the performance of ‘One Reason’ (from my EP ‘These Little Words’) from Wednesdays gig!

 

As always, let me know what you think of the new song! Comments and messages really do mean a lot to me!

Thanks for reading!

 

Katie Ellen x

 

Folk On The Dock 2018

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On Saturday, I performed at Folk On The Dock, a music festival held at The Royal Albert  Dock in Liverpool.  I played on 2 stages with my band, on The Stan Ambrose Stage and The Liverpool Acoustic Stage and we had so much fun! Here are some photos from the day thanks to Fat Badger Photography for coming along!

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Both sets went so well and I feel like Im really starting to enjoy being on stage again after a long time off!  The song that got the most reaction of the day was definitely Cowboy Song, I definitely plan to record it ASAP!

If you were in the audience, I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did!

Don’t forget, you can watch the preview fo my next single ‘Let It Fly’ here…

 

And pre-save on Spotify here…

https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/katieellen/em78

Thanks for reading!

Katie Ellen x

Have you listened yet?

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Wow, it’s been a little over a week since the release of ‘Yours’!  Doesn’t it feel like longer?!

I thought I’d check in with a blog and share all of the links to listen to ‘Yours’ in one place and share the amazing reviews and press that it’s had too!

OUT NOW!

You can listen to ‘Yours’ on (Click on the word!);

 Spotify

Apple Music

iTunes

Google Play/YouTube

Amazon

Deezer

Tidal

Napster

 

‘Yours’ has attracted lots of attention from indie music bloggers and magazines.  Heres all the links to what they had to say about my first ever totally DIY release (plus help from @producedbytobi 😉 )

https://carpecarmina.blogspot.com/2018/06/single-review-katie-ellen-yours.html?m=1

 

https://bongminesentertainment.com/katie-ellen-yours/

 

http://indiemusicwomen.com/page-2-feature/song-review-katie-ellen-yours/

 

https://www.musictalks.xyz/single-post/2018/05/28/Katie-Ellen-I-Am-Yours

 

http://www.klefnotes.com/music_reviews/katie_ellen_yours_pop_uk/

 

http://blog.bimm.co.uk/behind-the-track-katie-ellen

 

https://magazines.jilster.com/pageflip/?widgetCode=298c85d0ce90053b6c7a245ae81e8bdd&fullscreen=true#page/53

Thank you so much to all of those who’ve reviewed and featured me! I have been busy answering questions for various interviews too so more to come!

Also thank you to https://thepremiumblendradioshow.co.uk for playing the world premiere of ‘Yours’ and ranking me number one of the show!

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What do you think of ‘Yours’? I’d love to hear your thoughts!

 

Thanks for reading!

Katie Ellen x

 

 

 

Behind The Process: Yours

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Hey Everyone!

What a beautiful day it is here! Im currently writing this from my garden lying on a hammock, I can think of worse things to be doing!

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It’s 5 days until the release of my next single ‘Yours’ so I thought I’d share a little behind the scenes of the writing and recording process!

‘Yours’ started life as three chords that I was playing in between session at my job as a singing teacher.  Its not the first time this has happened and realising you’re on to a good tune then having to wait to write it is quite frustrating but when I got home, the whole song was written in practically 20 minutes!  Usually, I will leave a song for an hour and go back and develop it further but the version being released the exact song I wrote first time and I feel it is quite a special one.

Wanting to develop my DIY recording skills, I thought why not record a rough version an share it on my social media! So I set about recording it with my basic set up at home.  My condenser mic was nearly 15 years old and had seen better days and I was using GarageBand. But after I had spent all night (literally, Im the kind of person who as to finish something once I start and I will never learn that if I start something at 11pm I will be up all night until its complete!) recording just the voice, harmonies and piano, I shared it on my Facebook page.  I have never had so many messages about a song with so many positive comments. So, although I knew the song was special to me, this made me think it could resonate with others too! It had to be my next single.

YOURS

Being a worrier and a perfectionist in many ways, I didn’t think my recording was good enough due to equipment and skill level. So I had 2 choices, invest in better equipment or book a recording studio and engineer.  I chose to continue my journey in to becoming a fully DIY musician, I went out and bought a new mic, an interface and started recording.

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While I’m diving in to recording and producing my own material, I know my limits and approached Tobi (@producedbytobi) to mix and master it once everything was recorded.  He brought an extra sparkle to the piece that I just couldn’t have done myself!  He also helped my figure out Cubase and has been giving me tips on recording and getting the best sound.  We’re planning an album over the coming months, I can’t wait!

My debut single ‘Can’t We Just Be Friends’ (https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/katieellen/c7gi) and EP ‘These Little Words’ (https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/katieellen/c9L8) are massively important to me and I’m so proud of them but ‘Yours’ is a different story altogether. ‘These Little Words’ had other musicians playing and someone else producing.  ‘Yours’ is completely my work, I played the instruments, recorded it, even the artwork was taken and edited by me in my garden (the neighbours must have been wondering what I was doing!) it makes me even more nervous to hear what people have to say about it.

It really helps calm the negative voices inside to read reviews and comments like these…

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So THANK YOU to everyone who’s heard ‘Yours’ and made time to tell me you love it. I think a lot of creatives carry a lot of self doubt and I’m no exception.  Writing a song is like telling everyone your secrets.

You can pre save ‘Yours’ on Spotify via this link https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/katieellen/dt5i

And check out the preview and competition to win a free EP and handwritten lyrics on my Facebook page here…

 

Now it’s time to get the BBQ going I think!  Have a wonderful sunny Sunday!

 

Katie Ellen x

Yours-4

‘Yours’ OUT 15/06…

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It’s exciting times here because ‘Yours’, my next single is out in just 4 weeks (and 1 day!)

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Its been busy few months, with lots of writing and performing.

I even got to meet and talk to one of my idols, KT Tunstall.  She was very inspirational and had some amazing advice! She even took a photo and signed my journal.  The page is now framed and with my collection of autographs! Im so luck to have been able to connect with and meet some of my favourite songwriters like Lucie Silvas and Liz Longley! I even have a photo with Sir Paul McCartney in my collection! All help motivate and inspire me when I feel like things aren’t going to plan, I love the memories attached to each one!

Ive been playing more live music, Ive been to open mics, played a few small gigs and I’m falling in love with performing once again. I do suffer from nerves but once I’m comfortable, I really enjoy it!

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So back to ‘Yours’…

This song isn’t like anything I’ve recorded before.  When I wrote it, I know it was a special song and I knew I wanted to release it so I recorded it myself and sent it to a producer to mix and master and he (@producedbytobi) did a super job! So heres the preview…

I’m looking for reviewers and bloggers to write a piece about it too, if you’re interested, get in touch!

Thanks for reading!

Katie Ellen x

Fleetwood Mac Live Cover

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Hey!

So last night I played live for the first time in what seems like ages!  It was in a great venue called Base Mcr, little bar with a batting cage in it! Yes, as in a baseball batting cage! Cool, right?

I covered a Fleetwood Mac classic, one of my all time favourites you can watch here!

 

It’s a dark video and any loud noises in the background are baseballs being hit (ha!).

I love Fleetwood Mac and my love of harmonies has definitely been inspired by their music as well as The Eagles and other bands from that era! One of my favourite things to do is to put Rumours on my record player and listen to it from start to finish.

Last night was so much fun and I’ll be sharing more videos soon!

Thanks for reading!

Katie Ellen x

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New techie stuff, new song and a new EP?

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Well after a good 10 years, Ive replaced my trust old condenser mic. No more static or poor recording quality, hooray!  The old one was a USB mic and I’ve gotten a bit cocky and bought an interface with this one so I can record mandolin (yey!) and guitars! The only problem is that it will probably take me another 10 years to figure out how to use it properly! Ha!  I’m not that tech savvy as you can probably tell!

When I start recording myself, time just seems to speed up and I can never find the perfect mix or sound and end up in a downward spiral at 4am. Not great if you’re working to a deadline or have to be up early the next day.  I’m not a morning person either by the way!

I feel like I’m turning a corner though, fingers crossed everything is falling in to place!

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Yesterday, I shared a new video of a new song called ‘Without Me’.  I wrote about the story from the perspective of the person who’s left behind.  It just seemed like a story thats hardly been told.  You can watch it here…

 

The last song ever to be recorded on my old mic!

If you’re a budding producer or tech wizard and have any tips, then please throw some advice my way! (If it sounds like I’m begging, I AM! I can use all the help I can get!)

Tomorrow, I’m off to York for one night to explore! But when I’m back, the first thing I’m going to do is re-record Yours and add some little extra bits and that will be the start of my next EP!  I think this time round, my sound will have changed and be more piano based but we’ll see, who knows what might come out in the process! Which of the new songs do you want to see on it? I’d love to know!

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Have a lovely Easter break everyone! Eat loads of chocolate and spend loads of time with the ones you love, its the only way to do it!

Thanks for reading,

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Katie Ellen x

Ps- Kacey Musgraves new album ‘Golden Hour’ came out today and it’s definitely going to be my Easter weekend obsession, superb!

Broken fingers, drunk co-writing and being a self sufficient artist.

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I finally have a minute to update my story in a bit more detail!

So it’s been quite quiet online but in the real world I’ve been super busy writing music. There have been a few setbacks this year with a bad sinus infection and a a broken finger thrown in which meant I couldn’t play Guitar for a while either.

I’ve been doing some co-writing this year, something I’ve only done a couple of times in the past.

My friend and amazing musician Lillias asked me to help her finish a song she’d started. She already had 2 gorgeous verses written, we wrote the chorus together and the middle 8. The process was very different to how I usually write but we had a lovely session doing it. At the end, we both got a bit emotional over the lyrics and story behind it. I think everyone has a person in their history that they c any forget no matter how they try. Here’s the finished result…

I’m sure we will write together again soon. You can check out her other music here

https://m.facebook.com/Lillias-Hobson-929022420452454/

I also co-wrote a song with my friend Jordan (https://www.facebook.com/circlecasinoband/)

A totally different process and style! We started writing after a visit to the pub and a few beers. We recorded a video and it’s so funny and no I will not be sharing it! I love the chords Jordan writes with and the style we created! Here’s the end (sober) result…

I’d love to hear your thoughts on these two very different songs!

And of course I’ve been writing by myself but I have been trying to improve my recording and producing skills at the same time. It’s really important to be as self sufficient as possible in the current music industry, more than ever before.

About a week or two ago, I wrote a song called ‘Yours’ and had some ideas for how it should sound so I sat in my living room and recorded it.

I’m really happy with the result for maybe the first time ever when I’ve recorded myself.

The response when I put it out on my Facebook page was so great, and unexpected. But I’m so grateful that people connected with the song enough to contact me and tell me! Sometimes when you put something out there, it’s difficult to cut through the rest of the stuff on social media as well as the fact that Facebook doesn’t always show your posts to your audience. It can make you feel like giving up at times.

But now I’m rating to go with another EP, aiming for a summer release and exploring my genres and styles!

This song will most definitely be on it…

In the meantime, make sure you like my Facebook page

http://www.facebook.com/katieellensinger

And let me know when you see posts by sending me a comment or a message! I love reading them!

Thanks for reading!

Katie Ellen x

2017 Highlights and a new song…

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2017, what a year it has been! I wanted to use the final day to reflect on the year as a whole.  The good, the bad and the ugly.

As 2017 opened, I was writing music that nobody heard and I had given up on performing altogether.  I have to admit, if anyone were to ask me to perform, my confidence had taken so many hits, I would have refused anyway.  Yet there was still something inside me that longed to make music and show it off.  And thats where it all began…

I had a wave of self belief in February and booked a session in a studio, ‘Can’t We Just Be Friends’ was brought to life.  I wrote the song when I was around 18 (I think!) and played it at open mic nights etc, but mostly I choose it because my family always enjoyed it.

Here’s an older performance, 9 years ago to be exact (thanks YouTube!)

 

Then came the decision to release it…

In April, I wrote my first blog and the rest, as they say, is history.

Some of the highlights of my year include;

 

My trip to Nashville in June!

 

Being featured on BBC Introducing in Merseyside as well as being asked to perform live in two sessions.

 

Performing at the amazing Folk On The Dock festival at the Albert Dock, I loved performing in my home city, Liverpool, in such a fabulous festival.

Successfully funding my EP ‘These Little Words’

 

And meeting loads of like minded musicians and supporters and forming some life long friendships, I truly couldn’t have done all of this with out you.

So, 2018, what have you got in store for me? I hope to at least start recording an album.  I’ve written so many songs over the last few months, I feel like I’m ready to start a longer project!

So to close out 2017, heres a new song I recorded over in Manchester (Jordan Ashurst on guitar). Its a live acoustic recording, let me know what you think!

 

 

See you in 2018!

 

Katie Ellen x

 

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