Q&A
E
llen Mclaughlin on her solo ca-
reer so far, how she is finding
singing and performing with out
her musical colleague Katie Cox and
what her plans are for her futuruye.
H
ow does it feel being famous
across Britain not only as a dou-
ble act, but a solo artist?
Ellen: Well, I’ve been going to interviews
and sign ups all over Britain and every-
one’s been really supportive. I’m just glad
that people appreciate and understand
why I wanted to go solo. It’s made me real-
ize that all the hard work is worth it in the
end!
How was Katie when she found out you’d
be leaving her?
Well I’d spoke to her about it before. I think
it’s important to have everything out in the
open for a good duo to work. She was
completely fine with it and 100% support-
ive which really helped! She knows it’s not
the end of our career though, its only a
short break if you like
Why did you decide to go solo?
Ellen: Don’t get me wrong, I love working
with Katie and our duet career is far from
over, but I felt it was time for a change. We
haven’t split, we still plan to do future al-
bums together, but for now I want to try a
solo career. I feel I am ready to explore dif-
ferent areas of the music industry.
How did you get interested in music to
begin with?
Ellen: I suppose it all started from when I
went to boarding school in London. I used
to play violin and my parents made me
practice regularly. I started to sing at about
12 years old. I loved playing music and de-
cided I would start singing too. It just went
from there really..
Have you ever thought of changing your
music to another language to reach to fans
worldwide?
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“ I want people to be
Ellen: Definitely! I think music is beautiful in
other languages and I want people to be able
to understand the meaning behind my songs.
I believe that the key to being a great musical
artist, weather it be classical or rock, is to
reach as many people as you can from all
over the world. I know it would be difficult but
I like a challenge!
Which do you prefer: singing live, or recording
in the studio?
- ing because I know that’s going to be
Ellen: Both are great, in the studio you get to
know everyone who you work with really well
and the end result is great! The success is
something you can share with all your co-
workers. Singing live is so nerve-wracking,
but the crowd’s reactions are great! It’s also
good to know that you can achieve something
on your own; it’s a supportive feeling knowing
that you can make it on your own.
Can you see yourself on the opera stage one
day?
Ellen: Obviously its my long term dream, but I
know I’ve got plenty of time to reach my ambi-
tions. I admire the work of Andrew Lloyd-
Webber, it would be great to work with a star
like him, but I’m happy where I am now and I
able to understand the
meaning behind my
songs.”
love what I’m doing.
Now we know your first album has
been a huge success in the UK, but
are you thinking about starting your
second album?
Ellen: Not just yet, no [laughs] I’m
concentrating on getting this album to
get to the best place it can be. I’m
having a short rest before I start tour-
draining but I can’t wait to get started!
And your plans for the future?
Well I’m keeping all my attention on
my current album and the tour. I want
to make sure that I can make the
best out my singing alone that I can.
Good first impressions are very im-
portant to me…
Ellen Mclaughlin London
March 2010
Photo taken by Ali Kelly
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