Ella Hooper
Maturing as an artist is a natural part of the process for any musician. Particularly for an artist like Ella Hooper who has been in the public spotlight since she was 16 years old. As she now prepares to release a new solo record Ella told Pario she is "working out" who she is more & more "every day".
Growing up Ella first arrived on the music scene as part of the iconic 90s rock band Killing Heidi. A band comprising Ella, her brother Jesse & their friends Adam Pedretti & Warren Jenkin. As Killing Heidi they would release 3 albums, top the album & singles charts & win a raft of ARIA Music Awards. Yet in 2006 Killing Heidi would disband which would see Ella moving on to a career in radio & television.
After allowing her passion to simmer away quietly Ella slowly matured as a person. During this time Ella gained valuable insight into a different side of the music industry. So when lockdown hit Ella was able to reconnect with her roots & explore a new side of her musical passion.
"I really took my time & dug a bit deeper with this new music," Ella explained to Pario. "I was stuck in the little country town where I grew up. But, I find that place really inspiring so it was a good place to be locked down. The stories that wanted to come out were mostly these old childhood stories. Which is why this music is so inspired by the music I grew up with."
Given her new direction, Pario asked who Ella's earliest musical influences were.
"I'll basically listen to anything if it's good. I grew up with a lot of country & Americana playing in the house because my dad had an awesome record collection," answered Ella. "It was stuff like the Flying Burrito Brothers, Gram Parsons, Emmylou Harris & Linda Ronstadt... I've always wanted to let that out in my own music, which is what I'm letting myself do now."
You'd think that Ella would be brimming with confidence ahead of the release of her solo album. Especially given her experience, but as she came to reveal that is actually far from the case.
"At times I'm afraid of confusing people or fans. I'm rock & roll with Killing Heidi. I'm funny on the TV doing music trivia. I'm serious on the radio doing a podcast. But deep down I know I'm all those things! I hope to be the kind of artist that people can sort of understand or expect that from - expect the unexpected with me," said Ella quite earnestly. "After being around for 20 plus years as a working musician you can sometimes think you've used up all of your oxygen or limelight tickets & maybe you don't deserve another go or just won't get another go... this creative process was about asking myself, 'do I still have something to say & will there still be a place for me?'"
Ella eventually came to the realisation that she does in fact still have something to say. As well as a much deserved place in the music. So Ella went on to explain to Pario what fans should be expecting from her upcoming album.
"There's a bit of rock, but its a twangy kind of rock. It's all a lot calmer & more mature than Killing Heidi, because I wrote & performed all that stuff when I was 16-17. This new album is the adult me taking a slightly more subtle approach. But, there are still a few rocking moments, some shredding solos & even a sax solo! Mostly though it's more fiddles, violins, slide guitar & pedal steel because I love that stuff."
Keep up with Ella at: www.ellahoopermusic.com
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