In the short time Ella Eyre has been on the scene, she has reached number 1 in the charts with Rudimental, collaborated with a wide range of talented artists and co-written a number one single for Sigma and Paloma Faith. This summer sees the release of her debut album Feline and a new single ‘Together’ dropping on 17 May.

Currently on tour with national sweetheart Olly Murs, Ella was kind enough to find a short gap in her hectic touring schedule to talk about her work to date, her hopes for the future and her thoughts on her current mammoth arena tour.

“It’s been quite a challenge because our audiences are very different and a lot of people don’t know who I am, but it’s fun. Watching the reaction, meeting and seeing people after the show, and hearing people saying that they loved the show is very rewarding. I’m loving it.”

From reaching Number 1 in 2013 with Rudimental and their massive dance-floor hit ‘Waiting All Night’ it seems that Ella Eyre hasn’t stopped working. A tour of this length coupled with the size of venues may appear like daunting work, but talking to Ella it’s evident that this isn’t something she is afraid of. She dismisses quickly my claim that she’s currently the busiest woman in pop and states that being busy is just the way she likes it. Ella’s feet seem firmly on the floor; a modesty of this nature is refreshing in a world of ego and brash arrogance.

“A lot of people would agree that if you’re busy it can’t be half bad” she states. Although only turning 21 a couple of days before the interview, for someone so young Ella is exceptionally reflective on her current work and her achievements to date: “It’s quite surreal to think what I’ve achieved before I turned 21. Just the other day Olly (Murs) sang ‘Happy Birthday’ to me on stage in Sheffield in front of thousands of people. It’s quite surreal.”

Given the increasing success of her work, Ella sounds surprisingly grounded and ready to make further progress with her career. We chat about her debut album, Feline and tell me how the release date being pushed back wasn’t such a bad thing:“The delay has actually been beneficial. During the time I wrote a couple of new songs., which without the hold up, wouldn’t have made the album. It’s exciting to think that even though I’ve been touring the songs for some time, and I’ve performed many shows, Feline is going to include material that no one has heard before. It’s going to be new and refreshing even for the most loyal fans.”

We discuss the musical influences of the album and what the very patient ‘Eyreheads’, the collective term for Ella’s fans, can expect when Feline finally makes it debut in the summer: “I grew up listening to Lauren Hill, Gnarls Barkley, Michael Jackson and my influences vary so much from Pop to RnB. I guess as I’ve grown up I’ve compiled all my experiences and influences into one. I suppose the album is going to reflect what people know of me already (her work with Rudimental and Sigma) and what I’ve grown up with and been influenced by.”

In addition to a heavy touring and promotional schedule, Ella’s growing reputation as a notable songwriter is taking her to some rather interesting places; The Eurovision song contest to be precise. This year, as well as releasing her debut album, Ella, with some surprise to herself, has found her self representing Germany as a songwriter in this year’s competition.

“It’s quite amusing and exciting, really. I didn’t realise it was all actually happening.” Ella remarks that she found out about her new european role via Twitter: “I can’t remember the last time I watched Eurovision, but I definitely have a reason to this year. I wish them all the luck; I’m sure it will make me go out to Germany a lot more.”

With a successful history of collaborations, Ella seems to be a performer who works well with most people. I enquire about who she would like to work with next. “Mark Ronson”,  Ella replies.“I’ve admired him for years. Not just for ‘Uptown Funk’, but also his work with Amy (Winehouse) and his previous albums. I’ve always really enjoyed his music.” If her recent form is anything to go by this exciting collaboration would be quite successful. So, go on Mr. Ronson, let’s make it happen.

As our time comes to an end I ask Ella what the rest of 2015 holds and whether she will be taking a break. From her response it doesn’t appear that the word rest exists in Ella’s vocabulary: “There is no such thing as a break. Hopefully I will be going out to Europe during this year to do some shows, announcing a new UK tour and I’m hoping to go out to America to do some shows over there. I’m going to be busy”

For someone who has, in her own words, achieved great things in such a small amount of time, Ella Eyre still hasn’t shown the world what she is capable of. With a determined drive and an untiring attitude to her work I’m sure there are many great days ahead, because, as the saying goes, hard work pays off.

Dan Smith
@medansmith