New To Hot Press: EllyD

Speaking about her beginnings in music, Dublin alt-pop artist EllyD reveals that it a gradual process. Despite her father's "good voice" and her grandmother's "voice of an angel", music didn't run in the family. Rather, it was her own youthful curiosity about guitars that birthed her artistry.

"It was a natural thing," reflects Elly. "I was always obsessed with guitars - when I was three I asked for one for Christmas. Then when I was about six, my parents got me guitar lessons as a present." Initially influenced by Blondie and David Bowie, Elly continued to hone her craft and later joined a band, Riot Tape. She credits the group with teaching her invaluable lessons about the recording process.

When Elly departed to work on her solo endeavours she admits finding it difficult to muster the confidence to release her own material. "I was writing everything and putting it together myself," she says. "I didn't know if it was good enough. Even though we weren't a well-known band, the people I know would've known the music, and I wasn't ready for the comparisons." This was combated in novel fashion - by travelling to Berlin and debuting her music there. "I was away from people who would have known my history. From going over there, I became more confident in what I was doing, and I was able to come back here and let people hear it." And hear it people did. EllyD's EP Rise peaked at number 8 on the iTunes charts in 2016, receiving national and local radio play in the process.

EllyD performs in The Vintage Room at The Workman's Club on November 23rd.