At just 23 years old, Ben Ellis is already establishing himself as a rising star on the British pop scene. Hailing from Wales, he has gained attention with his heartfelt lyrics and catchy melodies, blending intimacy and energy on stage. Having opened for artists like Henry Moodie and Alfie Lukes, he has built a special connection with his fanbase, that feels both personal and authentic. Ben Ellis continues to shape his musical universe with remarkable maturity for his age. We had the opportunity to ask him about his latest releases, wrapping up the conversation with some lighthearted and fun questions.
J: You started out sharing your music on socials media’s TikTok before filling venues — do you still feel that contrast between the intimacy of your beginnings and the energy of live shows?
Ben: When I first started on TikTok, it was all about TikTok Lives. You learn so much from that. Firstly, it improves your playing because I was streaming every night, playing guitar for people. But at the end of the day, it was just words on a screen — you can’t really visualise them as real people. So, when we did our first headline shows earlier this year, it was such a shock to play songs and hear people screaming them back at me.
Even now, after so many shows, I can’t quite comprehend it. Obviously, live shows are what I do this for — the dream is to play in front of people — but TikTok also taught me things I wouldn’t have learned otherwise.
And did you feel scared when you had your first show and someone telling you it’s not you in your room anymore?
I wouldn’t say I was scared — more that there was a huge sense of anticipation. In your head you’re thinking, “this is everything I’ve ever wanted,” and you want to make the most of it. On this European tour, for the first time, I’ve really felt like: “I’m here to do a job, to put on the best show possible.” When I focus on that, my performance is ten times better, even my voice feels stronger. I’ve realized how much my mentality impacts the way I sing.
What’s your songwriting process like — how do you turn your emotions into music?
I wasn’t one of those people who wrote songs since I was five. Honestly, I was too lazy! I’d tell everyone I was going to be a pop star, but I wasn’t putting in the work. It was only during COVID that I started writing and collaborating with people I love and admire.
Now, I don’t really have a set process. I often jot down little ideas — a lyric, a melody — and later I’ll scroll through my phone’s voice memos and pick one to build a song around. That’s exactly how “Where She Goes,” my favourite song I’ve ever written, came about. It started with a random voice note of me singing what became the chorus.
It was a very, like, rogue start to songwriting and rogue start to figuring out a process. But I think as time has gone on, I love— you know, whenever I can, I’ll put a tiny bit down — like whether that’s, like, a lyric or whether it’s a melody or something — and then I’ll come back to it when I want to write a full song. And I’ll just literally just scroll through my phone, through my voice memos, and just click one. And that was how “Where She Goes,” which is my favourite song that I’ve ever written, happened. I think I don’t ever really have, like, a set plan, but a lot of the time it comes from just, like, little snippets that I’ve recorded before.
Are you writing on your own or do you have any help for lyrics?
I do a lot of writing on my own, but often I’ll bring those ideas into sessions with other writers. My favourite part about music is how collaborative it is. I love how a song can sometimes become a collection of different ideas, like a project designed by many architects. My identity is in all of my songs, but so are the identities of the other writers I’ve worked with, who’ve helped me shape this music. Their touches, their unique perspectives — it’s all part of it. That’s what I love most about songwriting, and about music in general.
If you had to describe your musical universe using a color or a texture instead of words, which one would you choose?
I mean, it’s something we think about all the time, because as an artist you always come back to these creative pillars. It sounds a bit boring, but it actually helps you figure out your identity — your “why,” basically. Why are you doing this?
For me, I’d 100% say pink and blue. Light blue especially is something I’ve always come back to. My first project was green, but since then it’s been blue or pink. To me, those colours represent something welcoming, something that draws people in.
Can you tell me about your fanbase and what makes that connection special to you?
I always say this: fans are the backbone of the music industry — and fangirls in particular are its backbone. More than ever, that’s true today. Being a fan means giving so much of yourself, investing time, energy, even money to support someone’s music. Traveling long distances for shows, spending what you have just to be there with friends — it takes an incredible amount of empathy, care, and love. I don’t see that kind of dedication anywhere else. It creates such a lovely community of people who show so much love and so much support.
That’s why it will always be at the front of everything I do: asking myself how I can give back to these people in the best way possible. Without them, I wouldn’t be here. None of this would exist without the people who give everything, and it never goes unnoticed. I always want to carry that mindset forward, keeping them at the center whenever I think about new projects.
You also have a new single When It Ends which shows a more mature side to your voice — Do you feel like your style and sound are evolving?”
Oh, 100%. Each project has really reflected who I was at that time. With every release I’ve grown, matured, and been able to express more of what I’ve always wanted to say. It just shows that artistry takes time — it takes time to build, and I feel like I’m only continuing to grow. “When It Ends” is a great example of that.
Every single song on this new project is completely different, and I love that because it mirrors my own music taste — I listen to such a wide variety of things. The project has become really expansive, reaching into so many different areas. With “When It Ends” and “Where She Goes,” for the first time I’ve felt like an actual artist, like I have an identity. I’m not just a guy posting on TikTok anymore — I’m making art that comes from such an intimate place, really wearing my heart on my sleeve. That’s why those songs mean so much to me. And live, when the whole band comes together it’s just going to be so much fun.
Is there an album or a new EP on the horizon, or are you more focused on singles for now?
I’m very strong in the belief that I should always focus on a project — a body of work. Sadly, it’s not an album yet, but I really hope it puts me on the path toward one.
I’m very strong in the belief that I should always focus on a project — a body of work. Consistently releasing singles can be great for a while, but personally I don’t feel it gives you much of an identity if that’s all you do. It often feels more like chasing metrics than true expression. That’s just my opinion — I’ve seen people make it work — but for me, I always want to tell a story, and I want each project to have its own identity.
My first project, Ed’s House EP, was me figuring out and discovering my musical identity. The Hollywood EP was about working out what to do now that I was actually in the industry. And now, I’m working on a new project that’s basically me dealing with heartbreak — it was the only thing I could think about for months.
It’s kind of cool to have, like, a global project, and you can say, okay, there is connection between songs. And I think for you — and as an artist — it’s kind of fun to figure it out: which song you want to put first, which song you are — is going to be lead single… everything is, yeah, good exercise, we can say.
You can kind of even, like, go further than that and say, like, you want that challenge to be with the fans as well. You want the fans to feel like they can — they can — they have something to work out as well. There’s a lot that goes into it, for sure, yeah.
If you could give advice to your younger self, even just two or three years ago, what would it be?
If I were talking to my younger self, I’d just say: start. Get going. Because as soon as you find your rhythm, you’ll find success. Don’t let metrics, views, or other people’s opinions define your identity. And to myself three years ago, I’d probably say: keep going. The more you work, the more you chase it, the more things will come your way — things you could never have expected would happen.
You’re now taking your music across Europe — how does performing in different countries shape the way you see your own songs?
It’s crazy — I can’t believe I’m so far away from home and people are actually coming to my shows. Obviously, I’m so grateful for my fan base; they’ve always been so devoted and amazing, and so often it’s been fangirls, which has been incredible. But then, at some of these shows, there were fully grown men properly singing along and chanting the songs. It was the first time I thought, “Oh my god, I could actually do this. This could actually work.”
The fact that people are coming out to see me and Ellis — just the two of us with acoustic guitars — is something I can hardly believe. It makes me so excited to keep going and keep pushing.
I’ve also been lucky enough to work with a few people who were fangirls themselves, and they put so much care and energy into the things they love. I always want to make sure people know how grateful I am for that — it’s always at the front of my mind when it comes to these shows.
Now, time for the funny questions: “If your music were an ice cream flavor, what would it be?”
I love a bit of banoffee. But if we’re talking more classic flavors, then from a color perspective it would either be bubblegum — because it’s blue — or strawberry.
What’s the most unexpected song on your personal playlist right now?
Actually, last night I was listening to Luke Hemmings’ first album. I love him — both of his albums are incredible. There’s also an artist I like called Tom Saletto who just put out a really great song. Honestly, I could go on forever — I listen to so much music.
If you could design your own festival lineup, which three artists would you put alongside you?
I’ll answer this in two parts. First, I’d love to share a lineup with my friends. Alfie Jukes, Henry Moodie… and also my guitarist Ellis, who’s making such incredible music right now. I believe in him so much. That would be my dream festival with friends.
But if we’re talking big names, then I’d say Harry Styles, The 1975, and either Noah Kahan or Sabrina Carpenter. I’ve been listening to a lot of Sabrina lately.
I owe so much to guys like Henry and Alfie — they’re honestly some of the kindest and most hardworking people I’ve met, and they’ve been there for me when I was going through a lot. I never thought I’d make real friends in music, but over the past year I’ve been lucky enough to find some of the most inspiring people, and those two are definitely at the top of that list.
Thank you so much for your time!
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