Q&A with Ellie Goulding: Playing Center Stage, July 23 – Win Tickets!

[ 0 ] July 11, 2011 | eileen +

By Eileen Tilson

You ever wonder why it is that the English tend to discover the coolest music way before it actually reaches the States? For example, if we were in England right now your Granny would know who Ellie Goulding is, but alas we are not, and Ms. Goulding is currently sweeping across America leaving her mark with each town she hits. Conquering her native Britain with the biggest and fastest selling debut album of 2010, Lights, premiering at number one on the U.K. album chart, four hit singles she co-wrote, and a BRIT award-singer-songwriter Ellie Goulding is ready to make a similar splash in America with her sparkling electro-folk-pop sound.

AMG caught up with Ellie before her show this Saturday at Center Stage to chat about how in just a couple of years Ellie shot to fame.

You are managed by legendary producer Steve Lillywhite’s son Jamie; how did that come about?

He was a fan of mine. He would come to my shows, and at the time he was working for this management company, and we just took it from there. He is really unique and there is only maybe one other person that can make me laugh as hard as Jamie does.

You were the only live performer to be asked to play the Royal Wedding, I cannot even imagine what that was like!

Oh it was wonderful! Honestly an amazing show, and definitely one of the best nights of my life. I was very honored to be there; we met at a festival last year, and they are fans of my music. That is definitely a question you don’t say no to, I was more concerned with what I was going to wear!

You are huge in England, is the crowd reaction different here in America than in the U.K.?

I honestly can’t really gauge! Everyone is always so much more energetic in America than in England, so honestly I feel like the crowds are just naturally more upbeat. I have been having a really wonderful time over here though, every crowd has been great.

What was the first song you ever wrote and what was it about?

A song called “Us Alone,” I was 16, and was completely obsessed with this guy. At the time I thought it was the most amazing song I had ever heard, and now that I look back, it was really awful! Don’t know what I was thinking!

You have hit success literally in less than two years! Have you ever had a moment where you literally had to pinch yourself?

I actually have had a few. Hanging in Miami with Richard Branson was pretty amazing, but just recently I was in Cannes, and I was really lucky to have all of these fans singing along to my songs.

You seem like such an old soul. How do you stay so grounded?

Oh my family is great for that! But honestly, you really have to remind yourself that these great things happen because of my job, and I do let myself get excited about them, but that doesn’t define you. Just as just because people scrutinize you, doesn’t mean you have to change who you are.

What are you listening to right now, and are there any artists you would like to collaborate with?

I have been listening a lot to a band called Warpaint. Oh and also this band called, Wild Beasts! They are like listening to a dream; they capture something very futuristic, and yet their lyrics take you back in time. As far as collaborating with other artists, I really don’t know if there is anyone I would want to collaborate with. I mean I think Drake is super clever, and it would be really cool to work with Rhianna.

What are the most excited about for the future?

YES! We are working on my album right now, and it should be ready next year!

Ellie Goulding is playing with the Bag Raiders on July 23 at Center Stage. Enter to win a pair of tickets using the form below.