ellen cherry

ellen cherry is a singer, songwriter, musician, designer, artist, producer, recording engineer, and human.

Once a character in a novel, ellen cherry sprung from the pages of a book in 1997, and began her life as a living, breathing, dynamic performer. Mixing equal parts of pathos and humor throughout her songs, ellen cherry is mysterious and powerful on stage. She seamlessly fuses her love of History, Poetry, and Literature with the Usual Suspects of Love, Loss, and Despair, with a powerful, commanding voice and a command of Power Chords on her guitar.

An artist incapable of stopping the process of creation, ellen cherry has recorded and released original music continuously since 1997. Her style has been described as "spunky downer pop for History buffs" and, yes, she is over 5'10" tall!

In 2008, ellen cherry assembled a 5 piece Rock and Roll band to promote her newest disc of original music, heart like a lion. She created twelve tracks that range in genre from lo-fi indie rock to wistful clever love songs to the odd instrumental.

LISTEN

Something Insanely Clever


INTERVIEW

1. If you could tour with any artist or band, who would it be?
Hopefully I can answer this a few ways. The number one would be Lyle Lovett, simply because I love his music and his style and his band is always amazing. I feel I could learn a lot from his professionalism and talent and those he’s keeping company with. The second would be Patty Griffin, because I admire her music and love her spirit and would love to opening for her on stage anywhere….her fans are dedicated (and rightfully so.) The third would be my fellow Baltimore songwriter Caleb Stine simply because we’re good friends, we work well together and I think it would be a blast to be on the road together. He’s amazing too, and I think I would continue to learn from his style of playing.

2. How old were you when you wrote your first song and what was it about?
I started out writing poetry and didn’t start writing songs until I was 20 and recorded my first album, Careful. So I’m going to guess that the first song I ever wrote was probably one off that disc…and since I’m guessing and don’t really remember (sorry!)…..i’ll go with this one called Way Out West With Chuck and Dave. The song is about love and being a loser at Love, but the funny part is: I couldn’t think of a title and so my college friend Sarah King titled it for me at a show one time. I love that title.

3. What is the best gift you have ever been given?
My parents gave me a diary for a birthday when I was very young and I think that started me writing. I wrote everything down of significance to my little life, all my thoughts and dreams—also, the actual dreams I would have at night. Also, they would always give me books for presents and I think this just exacerbated my already pretty severe addiction to reading and passion for books, so I’m grateful that I know how to read and that people write stuff for me to read!

4. What is the most first album you ever purchased?
My first album was Carol King’s Tapestry. It is still probably my favorite album of all time. I know it by heart and love it so much. Anytime is a good time to listen to that album.

5. What is an interesting fact about yourself that most people would not know?
I adore David Tennant as the most current Dr. Who. Seriously, he’s so great.

6. How did you celebrate your last birthday?
I put on a nice dress and got taken out to a lovely dinner. We sat outside and the meal was great. At the end of the night, there was some wine left in my glass and the reflection of some lights overhead made it look like the moon was in the bottom of my glass.

7. If you could relive any day of your live, which day would it be? Why?
I remember my 4th birthday was really rad and my parents took all of my friends to McDonalds and they had dress up characters there and it just blew me away. I think that one would be a nice day to re-live. But if I’m really honest, I took a vacation a while back where I snorkeled through an underground cenote, spent some time looking at a large sea turtle up close and spent the rest of the day staring out at the Caribbean and reading and letting the sun replenish my depleted Vitamin D. I could re-live that day EVERY day, no question.

8. What is the ringtone on your phone?
It’s very confusing, because I use the same ringtone for calls and texts and I’m too lazy to change it, but it’s called “greeter” and it’s just the T-mobile standard stuff. but it’s nice, like a little sing-song bell thing. however, whenever I can, I get people to record a little song for me of their voice and have that as their ringtone.

9. If you weren't a musician, what job would you pursue?
I would like to study law and also become a test driver for cars and/or motorcycles.

10. If you had to recommend one artist/band to a friend to check out right now, who would it be?
The Dig, from NYC. I played a show with them this summer and they are amazing.

11. What is your favorite venue to play a show? What makes it stand out?
El Ranch Grande in Baltimore. The owner Pete has tried to create a sheltering space for music and arts in Baltimore and it’s truly magical. I love to play there because it’s like playing a house concert, only not in your own house. It always feels as though I’m just playing some songs for friends there. I love it!

12. Who is the most played artist on your ipod?
This guy from North Carolina who I love, Marley Carroll. You can get his album for free at his site and it’s so beautiful!

13. Why do you think music in schools is important?
I’m not just saying this: scientists have PROVEN that music enhances the ability to absorb and perform math, language, and grammar skills. Come on, we can’t argue with scientists!! We simply cripple students when we deprive them of a basic music education. Also, an early appreciation for the power of music and simple melody increases the likelihood that a student will become a thinking, problem solving individual instead of a drone who just rinses and repeats rote information. A student who does not receive Arts education is simply being programmed, like a robot. As far as I know, we have plenty of machines in the world that are doing their jobs, what we need are more Humans and specifically, Humans who are capable of appreciating and creating beautiful things that express our wonder about being alive, being a person on this planet, about Love, about Despair and other emotions that bridge the distance between cultures and people. Music is vital to this connection. Plus, if the last 4 centuries of popular music show us anything, the power of a simple popular melody transverses and overcomes all language barriers. A good song is a good song! And a good song can connect people in amazing ways.

You can find more information about ellen cherry on her website at www.ellencherry.com.