Q+A: ELLINGTON

After being met with huge success in former bands, R5 and The Driver Era, Ellington Ratliff decided it was time to go solo and cultivate his true sound. He does just that in his debut self-titled EP, ELLINGTON. With this EP, Ellington takes a modern approach to alternative rock, creating a sound that is familiar, yet fresh. His echoing vocals create the perfect space for his energetic guitar work to cut through, making each track feel well-balanced and multidimensional. Catchy, upbeat, and lively; the project leaves fans excited for what Ellington’s next steps are.

We had a chance to interview the rising star and discuss his musical upbringing, experiences, and influences that have allowed him to step into his own sound.

Do you mind introducing yourself?

Hello! My name is Ellington and I'm an alternative artist born and raised in Los Angeles. I just released my self-titled debut EP and I'd like you all to listen to it.

Can you tell us about your musical background?

I was introduced to my parents’ vinyl collection at an early age which included all of the greats especially Zeppelin and Beatles records but I was also exposed to a lot of Motown, Gospel, and even some select world music cuts which totally influenced my deep love for music that I have today. I was lucky enough to be involved with the past projects that took me down the road of world tours, writing sessions, and sold out theaters (and some areas in South America haha) and it brought me to a point where I was ready to take the jump and pursue the style of music I always wanted to in the first place.

How would you describe your sound?

It's really a mod podge of all of my favorite things that inspire me. I'm obsessed with sounds and tones that I’ve never heard previously, or even ones that I have but that have been spun in new ways so my goal is to incorporate all styles of music I love, may it be influenced by Death Grips to Musical Theater tunes, and put them into a new sound. At the end of the day, it's alternative music but I'm ever exploring the edges of the genre, where I fit, and what I can give to it.

Who are your biggest musical influences?

White Album Era Beatles, mainly Paul but all of them too, James Blake, Arcade Fire, Jack White, A Tribe Called Quest, SAULT, Young Fathers, Unknown Mortal Orchestra, the list is endless. Even as of late I've been listening a lot to Dave Van Ronk who was a buddy of Bob Dylan whose music was used in Inside Llewyn Davis, The Cohen Bros Film, and he’s so amazing. He’s got a voice that can get super powerful and raspy and become more so with age. His lyrics and melodies are incredible and his guitar playing is so impressive and hooky and I love how he goes between Greenwich Village Folk and a New Orleans Style, it's so inspiring and I really look forward to seeing how I can incorporate him into my music because he’s like food for the soul.

Your most recent single, “Sun to Rise!” is incredible, and the music video matches it so well. Can you tell us about the process of making that video, and why you went in that direction?

Thank you! Making music videos during a pandemic with no budget really forces you to be creative. I’ve always loved stop motion videos like “Hardest Button to Button” but I had never seen one at night using flash photography (I guess there's a reason why) so I decided to do the first one (at least that I know of.) So my fiancé and I headed out to the streets using her high school camera and a faulty flash (or maybe we were just faulty) and set out to do the impossible. It was incredibly difficult but also a really good time and I’m very pleased with how it turned out and for those who haven’t seen it, the video is composed of 6,201 photos. Check it out.

Where was your favorite place to play a live set?

One of my favorite sets ever was playing Summer Sonic in Japan. It's this insane lineup and I got to play on that same stage as Radiohead and be in dressing rooms next to people like Rat Boy and Hiatus Kaiyote so I was in heaven and like losing my mind the whole time. We got to catch the Radiohead set and it was one of the coolest moments of my entire life.

If you could open a show for anyone, who would be your first choice?

Probably Arcade Fire. They’re one of the most important bands to me and I love how they evolve with the times. I saw them at Coachella and had one of the most intense live show experiences of my life. It was borderline a religious experience. I wouldn’t know what to do with myself if I got the opportunity but Win Butler, if you see this, hit me up.

You have two amazing singles out so far, what comes next?

I really look forward to playing these songs live. I’ve been dipping my toe into the process and it's starting to feel exciting, it's kind of the final step in this whole project. Two years ago I couldn’t imagine singing on the front of a stage to strangers and it's crazy to relate that to now because now it feels like something I'm supposed to be doing and I’ve never felt that before.

Q+A: ELLINGTON

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