Ellis J Barraclough Talks New Single, His Voice And More

There’s an endearingly boyish charm to 19-year-old Ellis J Barraclough. The singer-songwriter from Hull plays for the purest of reasons: the simple joy of being able to use music to soothe his soul and express any mood he might find himself in. His new single ‘Patience’ is out now and he kindly chatted to us all about it: 

When did you begin songwriting?

I began song writing properly when I was around 14 – 15 but I wrote my first song at around 8 years old

 

What is your earliest musical memory?

My earliest musical memory is listening to ‘Black Magic Woman’ by Fleetwood Mac in my uncle’s car

 

You have released your new single ‘Patience’. What is the story/inspiration behind the track?

I had the main riff wrote to the song patience for a while but was struggling to find inspiration for the theme of the song, after a while this frustrated me as I didn’t want to waste the riff, so I just told myself to be patient and then it hit me!

 

Where did you record the track and who produced it?

I recorded it in Hoxa studios, Hampstead with my producer Vince Garcia

 

Do you have any interesting, funny or memorable stories from the single’s recording sessions?

It took me a while to finish the vocals to ‘Patience’, when we did the last take we put pedal to the metal to reach it to Curry Paradise before it closed

 

Who were the musicians who performed on the single with you?

Mark Walker on Drums / Bass / Keys / Sara Ozelle bv’s /Tommy Hill on electric guitar

 

Did you use any particular instruments, microphones, recording equipment to help you get a particular sound/tone for the record?

We recorded it onto 2 inch tape to give the record more of an organic analogue old school sound

 

Do you have any further music releases planned for 2025?

Definitely!! You will see a lot of me this year. YES more singles and an album in the autumn

 

Which of your tracks hear you at your a) happiest, b) angriest and c) most reflective?

A) I’m at my happiest on ‘Blaspheny’ as this song is about me figuring out my emotions and what they mean.

B) I’m probably at my angriest on ‘Do You like It’, listen to the lyrics!
C) my song ‘Time’ makes me reflect the most out of the others as its written about what it means to be human and how your emotions are effected by time

 

What two things do you hope to have achieved once you have left the stage?

I hope to have left the audience either sometime they will remember for a while, and hopefully not a sore throat!

 

Do you have any favoured stage instruments, effects, pedals, microphones etc?

For my voice, the SM58 mic is by far my fav. I’ve also gotta have tons of reverb on that guitar!

 

Where is your hometown and could you please describe it in five words?

My hometown is Hull in East Yorkshire. In 5 words, it is quite far away.

 

How do you look after your voice?

I do my vocal exercises everyday and before a gig to loosen my vocals

 

Who designed the single artwork?

Claire Elliot designed the artwork

 

You are given the opportunity to write the score for a film adaptation of a novel that you enjoy. Which novel is it and why?

I would choose the novel ‘Ham On The Rye as the sombre tones of the story would be very satisfying to portray through music

 

Who are some of your musical influences? Do you have any recommendations?

my musical influences are bands like The Beatles, Nick Drake, AURORA, listen to AURORA if you love mother nature!

 

Do you have any live dates planned in the UK/Europe in 2025?

 I’m  doing a gig on the 22nd May 2025 in The Social on Huberstreet, Hull. I can’t wait for everyone to hear

What makes Ellis J Barraclough happy and what makes you unhappy?

What makes me sad and happy? A lot of things. I find happiness in music and and the world, and nature. And it makes me sad that we aren’t treating the world and people as we should be.