FOLLOWING the release of her Show Night In EP last month Ellie Ford is playing an acoustic showcase at the Brighton Fringe. Here she talks about making the EP and her love of the harp.

“I grew up in the countryside in East Yorkshire but I’ve been living in Brighton for a number of years now. It’s a good place for hanging around and playing music.

“I’ve always been inspired by the music of the 1960s and 1970s. Classics such as Bob Dylan, Crosby Stills and Nash, Nick Drake and John Martyn.

“The harp is a really unique instrument and it’s beautiful to play. It’s got depth to it in a different way to the guitar. Both instruments produce a completely different type of song, and I like that.

“I recorded the EP last year at Retreat, a beautiful local studio out in the countryside. I took three days and recorded everything live, I wanted it to be natural and honest. The cover is an original piece by a great local artist named Ian Hodgson. He does lovely graphite on paper drawings, and I really felt it fitted with the music.

“In the future I want to make an album, definitely. I’m already writing it now. I’ll be playing lots of shows over the summer. I think playing live is really important, that’s where people connect.”

  • Ellie Ford plays as part of Folk By Candlelight at The Warren, in Russell Place, Brighton, on Sunday, May 18, alongside Jack Harris and Small Town Jones. Starts 9.30pm, tickets £5/£7. Call 01273 917272.
  • She will also support Tom Hickox at The Hope, in Queen’s Road, Brighton, on Thursday, May 29 from 8pm. Tickets £7.50 from Resident on 01273 606312.
  • To find out more, visit www.ellie-ford.co.uk, www.facebook.com/elliefordmusic or email elliefordmusic@gmail.com