Breaking Bands: Ellie Goulding

22 February 2010

by Nathan Jolly

From: Herefordshire
Sounds like: Tori Amos, Bjork
Release: Lights
Key tracks: Starry Eyed

Dropping out of university to pursue a career in music isn’t the wisest of fiscal decisions, however Ellie Goulding (not strictly a breaking band) needn’t have fretted for long. At only 23 years of age, Goulding is already assured a career in the arts, after topping the BBC Sound of 2010 poll, and winning the Critics Choice Award at the Brit Awards this past week.

Ever the prodigal child, Goulding was penning her own folk tunes in her mid-teens, and studying drama at the University of Kent for two years before music called her back into the wider world. Although signing to Polydor Records in late 2009, her debut single Under The Sheets was purposefully released somewhat under the radar, coming out through indie label Neon Gold Records in an attempt to dripfeed Goulding into the public consciousness. The tactic was midly successful in regards to sales; however radio latched onto the track, with BBC Radio 1 premiering the song, which went on to receive heavy airplay.

Lights is the debut album from Goulding, and is a strong set, drawing instant comparisons to Florence and the Machine and Tori Amos, both in vocal style and in song structure. The NME have been a strong supporter of Goulding, being the first to reveal details of the forthcoming album. In an interview with the publication, Goulding revealed that despite the albums slick sound, a lot of it was rather homegrown.

“I spent the majority of my time recording this album in my producer Starsmith’s bedroom in Bromley,” Goulding said. “It is made up of songs that all started on a guitar over a period of about two years. A number of the songs vent romantic victories and failures. A number of the songs deal with Goulding’s growing pains, and the fear of leaving her comfortable country life to uproot to London.
“One of the first songs I ever wrote, Wish I Stayed, is there, a song about leaving the countryside, which still pains me. The acceptance of living in London and attaining peace of mind led to tracks like Starry Eyed, because I could finally write something more fun.”