TOTAL DANCE GET STARRY EYED WITH ELLIE GOULDING

8th June 2010

Total Dance was invited backstage with Ellie Goulding at her gig in Manchester’s ‘Academy 2’ part of her UK tour ‘Lights’.

Total Dance hung out with the band as they did their sound check and pre-show preparations. Lauren said “it was exciting to meet such a talented new band, Ellie is an inspiration to the young people we work with as she writes her own music and her growing fame is deserved for all of her hard work.”

Ellie is not shy of hard work, she performed at gigs every week for years at Kent University and when at home in Hereford, she held two jobs while developing her style and waiting to be noticed. Ellie is living proof that if you want something, you have to be prepared to work hard for it.

When we told Ellie about all the projects we do at Total Dance she was really interested to learn how we host events in the heart of communities and provide a performance platform for young people with talent who may not otherwise have the chance to shine. Ellie agrees that these projects are clearly a beneficial tool for young people who may struggle to communicate by other means; the songwriter has said that she communicates significantly more effectively through music and performance.

Despite her busy schedule and hectic lifestyle, Ellie ensures she maintains her healthy diet and has lots of exercise. Ellie has become renowned for encouraging her fans to run with her around the cities she is performing in and has even been sponsored by Nike to do this. Lauren said “It was refreshing to see the dressing room filled with healthy supplies of fresh fruit, just the same as we provide during all of our sessions.”

Ellie Goulding’s band has an inspiring friendship and musical connection and is enjoying their busy schedule. Max Cooke told us how he is looking forward to the festivals this summer and when asked if he was ready for the gig, replied “I’m always ready’. Nice to see such confidence from the young synth superstar who was lead singer of the now defunct four-piece Goodbooks and is currently joining Ellie on tour to play keys and synths.

Ellie Goulding rose to fame after topping the BBC Sound of 2010 poll and winning the Critics Choice Award at the 2010 BRIT Awards. Since launching her career in 2009, Ellie has seen great success and has even been asked to write songs for other artists including Diane Vickers and Cheryl Cole.

Photographs: Kerri Burbidge