Written by:
Margaret Coble
Photographer:
Alessandro De Sogos
The last time I saw Minneapolis-based, Texas-born singer-songwriter and dyke heartthrob Ellis, she was sitting in the corner of the Media Tent at the 2005 Michigan Womyn’s Music Festival, patiently giving a one-on-one critique to a young festie-goer who was attending her songwriting workshop.
That image has stayed with me, as it sums up who Ellis, the artist and person, is — open-hearted, generous, down to earth, and genuinely interested in connecting with people through her music. That, in combination with her gorgeous smile, beautiful blue eyes, charming personality and obvious talent, is exactly why audiences — lesbian, straight, young and old — adore her. Ferociously.
Ellis’ last album release was an experiment in breaking down that barrier between fan and artist, by actually having fans produce the album. Evidence of Joy, her fifth self-released album on her own Rubberneck imprint, was not just a gimmick; it was an actual effort to make her audience part of her creative process. And it worked on so many levels for all parties involved, from Ellis to the fan-producers to the listening audience.
Ellis has been busy working on several projects since I saw her last. “I’ve been out on a few tours, but I’ve also been taking a little bit of time to be at home and write,” she tells me. “It’s been nice to have time to write. I write in pieces on the road, and then when I get home, it’s like, OK, do they fit together? I have to see if anything works.”
Though she loves life on the road, slowing down a bit has been productive. “For me, that’s really important for the creative process,” she explains. “Staying in constant motion, there is something to that. It can be a really wonderful creative thing. But then I think the settling down is when you find what you’ve really created and see it more clearly.”
The conversation quickly turned to the topic of her new album, which she’s in the midst of recording. “Once all the pieces are in place, I’ll have more information,” she says coyly. Fans can get a sneak peek, though, from two new tracks posted up on her MySpace.com website, “Hurricane” and “How Would It Be.” The former is an infectious love tune likening the passion between two lovers to the intensity of a hurricane, while the latter is a more philosophical endeavor that reminds us to take nothing for granted. Both songs are very typically Ellis, her confessional lyrics complimented perfectly by her hooky guitar rhythms and sweetly melodic vocals.
In order to fund this new record, as an independent artist, Ellis had to get creative. “Yeah, Terri [Mazurek, Ellis’ manager, Rubberneck Records co-conspirator, and girlfriend] and I were brainstorming ways [to come up with funds],” she recalls. “As the industry is changing, how does an independent artist continue to really do it? And [the answer is,] through the generosity of others … through the community, the sharing, offering, and then giving other people the opportunity to say thank you, to help and be part of things.” The result is the Ellis Angel Project, a sponsorship drive that offers special membership benefits — like free song downloads, discounts on albums, autographed merchandise, and public recognition on Ellis’ website [ http://www.ellis-music.com ]. There’s even a “Hands-On Angel” level, for folks who lack money but really want to contribute by volunteering their time.
A new album isn’t the only thing that’s been in the works; she’s also working on a DVD. “It’s a documentary about my story, being an independent artist and what it’s been like, how I got started,” she explains. “It will revolve around an interview, and have live footage from now and also the band I was in five years ago [Bobby Llama]. Just really talking about how things have been and where things are going. It’s really an exciting process.”
She continues, “The underlying theme of it is that anytime you follow your heart and your dreams, do what you’re meant to be doing, exciting stuff happens! It just feels really good. It’s just a matter of deciding now, yes, and really going for it. So many people hold themselves back, for various reasons. But I just think if more people in the world, if they hate their day job, if they would just look for another way out, you know?”
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