Songwriting As A Creative Outlet With Elli Ingram

Born in Brighton, Elli Ingram is a singer-songwriter whose influences include Amy Winehouse and Lauryn Hill. Having just released her new album, 'Bad Behaviour', we chat to her about the importance of having a creative outlet, and how music helps provide that for her.

Tell us a bit about yourself. Where did your love for music first come from?

I grew up in a home where a lot of music was being played. We still have the same piano in the same house I was born in, my dad sings and plays guitar, my mum writes poems and has great taste in music. God that all sounds far more romantic than it was. We all just made a lot of noise a lot of the time. 

What and who would you say your main influences are?

My friends and family influence me massively, my surroundings and the music I listen to. 

You say your music is born from honesty and vulnerability. How do you find songwriting helps you talk about how you're feeling?

I use my songs to tell people how I’m feeling. I’m pretty bad at being open and honest in my day-to-day life so I use my songs to express a lot of how I’m really feeling. It can be quite awkward when people want to talk about the lyrics in my songs because for me I sing what I can't say.

Can you tell us more about your thoughts on the importance of having a creative outlet?

Honestly, even if you might think you are not a creative person I encourage everyone to try and find some sort of creative outlet. Singing and writing allow me to express myself in a way I could never do in my day-to-day life. I also love to cook and I paint and both of these help to relax and clear my mind. If I feel slumped or uninspired, finding ways to be creative lets my brain relax. 

Your track 'Heavy', released in 2020, touches on mental health. Why did you feel it important to explore this and release it at such a poignant time?

At the time it was just something I was going through. When I wrote this song I wasn’t thinking about how other people might relate to it because when I was writing it I felt so alone. Knowing that so many people have connected with it actually really helped me. That's the power of music. Being made to feel seen.

Your new album 'Bad Behaviour' is out this month (congrats!), what else is coming up for you in 2023?

Eeeeek!!! I honestly can't believe it’s finally happening. This has been such a long journey and it feels really surreal that it’s finally coming out. There are so many exciting things happening but what I am most excited about is getting out on the stage and performing this album for everyone. We have a busy summer with festivals and then my album tour at the end of the year, please come along!

What is your favourite thing about Wolf & Badger?

That it has so much variety and supports so many incredible designers from high-end fashion to smaller, more affordable brands. There really is something for everyone on Wolf & Badger.