01Profile
A David Ellis Photo
David Ellis
Musician — London
03Interview
Name, where are you from?
David Ellis. London. I have also lived in New York.
Describe your style in three words?
Amorphous Dalinian Effeminacy.
What’s the best gig you’ve ever been to?
Neil Young in a town square somewhere near Pisa in Italy. He played an acoustic set which included Heart of Gold. Devendra Banhart also played and there was free champagne.
If you could be on the line up with any two bands in history?
Donovan & T.Rex.
Which Subcultures have influenced you?
The UK underground scene in the '60s. There were lots of groovy club nights like Middle Earth in Covent Garden which hosted early incarnations of David Bowie and Pink Floyd.
If you could spend an hour with anyone from history?
Joseph Campbell. He was a wonderful gentleman with a macrocosmic perspective of humanity. He worked in comparative mythology, where he would study different cultures, tribes and religions from around the world and find common themes and patterns which united their stories. He has had a slight resurgence in popularity recently which is great as the world needs him now more than ever.
Of all the venues you’ve been to, which is your favourite?
Kings Theatre in Brooklyn. A couple of months ago I saw Spiritualised perform there with a choir and string section. The venue was built in the '20s as a movie theatre and was recently renovated after being closed for 40 years. The interior is stunning and it sounds mammoth.
Your greatest unsung hero or heroine in music?
Connie Converse - A Brilliantly witty and thoughtful American Songwriter. She was active in New York in the '50s and unfortunately mysteriously disappeared and was never seen again. Listen to 'Talkin Like You'.
David Ellis's debut solo album 'Misty Heights' was recorded near the Byrdcliffe Colony in Woodstock. The largely acoustic songs channel and reinterpret artists such as Donovan, Joni Mitchell and Marc Bolan.
02Playlist
04Playlist Notes
The first track you played on repeat?
'Up the Hill Backwards' by David Bowie. I was about 14 and I had a CD player next to my bed and would listen to it intently every night.
A song that defines the teenage you?
'Find a Little Wood' by Tyrannosaurus Rex. It perfectly mirrored my attitude towards life and is songwriting in its simplest and most effective form.
One record you would keep forever?
Colin Blunstone One Year. 'Caroline Goodbye' is my favourite track from that album.
A song lyric that has inspired you?
"Ain't it just like the night to play tricks when you're trying to be so quiet?
We sit here stranded, though we're all doing our best to deny it"
From 'Visions of Johanna' by Bob Dylan. It was in discovering Dylan's songs I realised the power of poetry in music.
A song you wished you had written?
'Forever Young' by Bob Dylan. I like the Joan Baez version.
Best song to turn up loud?
'Lust for Life' by Iggy Pop.
A song people wouldn’t expect you to like?
'Oblivion' by Grimes.
The song to get you straight on the dance floor?
'Doo-Wop' by Lauryn Hill
Best song to end an all-nighter?
Anything from Solid Air by John Matryn. Maybe 'May You Never'.
Any new bands you are into at the moment?
Beau from New York City. 'C'mon Please' is good.
03Interview
Name, where are you from?
David Ellis. London. I have also lived in New York.
Describe your style in three words?
Amorphous Dalinian Effeminacy.
What’s the best gig you’ve ever been to?
Neil Young in a town square somewhere near Pisa in Italy. He played an acoustic set which included Heart of Gold. Devendra Banhart also played and there was free champagne.
If you could be on the line up with any two bands in history?
Donovan & T.Rex.
Which Subcultures have influenced you?
The UK underground scene in the '60s. There were lots of groovy club nights like Middle Earth in Covent Garden which hosted early incarnations of David Bowie and Pink Floyd.
If you could spend an hour with anyone from history?
Joseph Campbell. He was a wonderful gentleman with a macrocosmic perspective of humanity. He worked in comparative mythology, where he would study different cultures, tribes and religions from around the world and find common themes and patterns which united their stories. He has had a slight resurgence in popularity recently which is great as the world needs him now more than ever.
Of all the venues you’ve been to, which is your favourite?
Kings Theatre in Brooklyn. A couple of months ago I saw Spiritualised perform there with a choir and string section. The venue was built in the '20s as a movie theatre and was recently renovated after being closed for 40 years. The interior is stunning and it sounds mammoth.
Your greatest unsung hero or heroine in music?
Connie Converse - A Brilliantly witty and thoughtful American Songwriter. She was active in New York in the '50s and unfortunately mysteriously disappeared and was never seen again. Listen to 'Talkin Like You'.
David Ellis's debut solo album 'Misty Heights' was recorded near the Byrdcliffe Colony in Woodstock. The largely acoustic songs channel and reinterpret artists such as Donovan, Joni Mitchell and Marc Bolan.
04Playlist Notes
The first track you played on repeat?
'Up the Hill Backwards' by David Bowie. I was about 14 and I had a CD player next to my bed and would listen to it intently every night.
A song that defines the teenage you?
'Find a Little Wood' by Tyrannosaurus Rex. It perfectly mirrored my attitude towards life and is songwriting in its simplest and most effective form.
One record you would keep forever?
Colin Blunstone One Year. 'Caroline Goodbye' is my favourite track from that album.
A song lyric that has inspired you?
"Ain't it just like the night to play tricks when you're trying to be so quiet?
We sit here stranded, though we're all doing our best to deny it"
From 'Visions of Johanna' by Bob Dylan. It was in discovering Dylan's songs I realised the power of poetry in music.
A song you wished you had written?
'Forever Young' by Bob Dylan. I like the Joan Baez version.
Best song to turn up loud?
'Lust for Life' by Iggy Pop.
A song people wouldn’t expect you to like?
'Oblivion' by Grimes.
The song to get you straight on the dance floor?
'Doo-Wop' by Lauryn Hill
Best song to end an all-nighter?
Anything from Solid Air by John Matryn. Maybe 'May You Never'.
Any new bands you are into at the moment?
Beau from New York City. 'C'mon Please' is good.