Capturing memories in songwriting with Ella Clayton | Exclusive Interview

« Memory is different. I wish I could control what I remember and what I forget. But in my experience, we soften to the memories with the fullness of time, and are able to value the sweetness for what it was. 

We captured that rose-tinted, honeyed retrospection in the music. Joy! Trumpets! It was so much fun working with Matt and Mickey on this song, I hope you can hear that in the recording.” – Ella Clayton, on « Honey »

London-based folk-pop singer, songwriter and artist Ella Clayton shares her new single ‘Honey’, out everywhere since 26th September. 

Ella’s first new music of 2024, ‘Honey’ once again showcases Ella’s natural gift for telling relatable and whimsical stories through her songwriting, all wrapped up in her honey-soaked vocal delivery. Seamlessly blending elements of folk, pop, rock and soul, Ella’s distinctive musical style transcends genre and speaks straight to the heart and soul.  Produced by Matt Cooke and Michael Hemmings, ‘Honey’ was written about falling in and out of love, and the mementos we keep.

‘Honey’ is the first of a string of releases from the multi-faceted singer in the coming months. Till then, get the back stories behind her music, filled with bliss as bittersweet as can be, and poetry.

A Songwriter in London: Ella’s Portrait by Anne-Sophie Benoit

Anne-Sophie Benoit, French photographer, specialised in fashion and passionate about music since ever, met up Ella Clayton for a special photoshoot, in the heart of London, at Regent’s Canal. Together they spent a beautiful afternoon, and now we get to know the human behind the music.

She’s been working for Sounds So Beautiful since the beginning, and got to meet the most outstanding performers and songwriters out there. From Jordan Rakei, to Mahalia, and Joy Crookes, she’s now offering photoshoot for cover albums and headline shows at Sounds So Beautiful (more info for a photoshoot).

Photograph by Anne-Sophie Benoit for Sounds So Beautiful

Interview: Ella Clayton, on the beauty of songwriting and performing her headline show!

Marcus Gon: Hey Ella, how are you? First of all, thanks for your trust and time for this photoshoot with Anne-Sophie Benoit! Watching the pictures almost felt like getting to know you better and closer!

Ella Clayton: Thank you so much!! It was such a pleasure to spend the afternoon with Anne-Sophie, she was so lovely and I absolutely adore the pictures she took!

Photograph by Anne-Sophie Benoit for Sounds So Beautiful

Marcus Gon: Honey sounds so joyful, though tears-drawing at the same time. What did you want to capture with this song?

Ella Clayton: Thanks so much! That’s totally it, the bittersweet. The initial seed of the song came from thinking about what strange mementos we keep after relationships – a cactus, a blue jumper.

This grew into thinking about memory and how it’s impossible to choose which memories you keep and which ones you throw away, but with time, they can soften and we can remember the joy of it all.

We really wanted to capture that duality within the sound world we built – melancholy swells of Bon Iver-esq guitars paired with raucous, joyous trumpet solos! 

Marcus Gon: What did you enjoy the most working with Matt and Mickey on this song?

Ella Clayton: Their energy! They’re both really skilled and talented producers and really encourage me to step out of the box creatively. They work from a beautiful studio in North London. Lunch is always very important. And Mickey sometimes brings his gorgeous puppy, Mimi to the studio. We actually sampled stroking her for another track we’re working on!

Photograph by Anne-Sophie Benoit for Sounds So Beautiful

Marcus Gon: I’ve seen you hiding lyrics from Honey in bookstores. As a songwriter, what’s your favourite lyrics you’ve ever written and why? 

Ella Clayton: I’m always most excited about whatever new song I’m working on but that’s a secret for now! I’m glad you mentioned my lyric sheet mischief, I’ve been hiding my lyrics in bookshops around the world for over a year now so keep an eye out!

My favourite line from Honey is ‘I held on to my favourite of your jumpers, I always thought it was a gorgeous shade of blue’ because I think it sums up the sentiment of the song and I love singing the word ‘gorgeous’

Marcus Gon: Love your album Murmurations! Just like Honey, the tracks drive back in memory lane, and get you obsessed with nostalgia What Murmurations meant to you?

Ella Clayton: Thank you so much! It was my first body of work and will always be precious to me. I think of the song ‘Murmurations’ as a deranged love letter full of yearning and nostalgia that you’d never actually send. I used to live in Brighton and watch the swirling, hypnotic murmurations of the starling birds above the old pier. Every song on the album is a small piece of me and they swirl together to make the record – just like the birds! I’m in the process of making vinyls so watch this space.

Lester Duval produced the record and friends Fabio De Oliveira and Alex Crawford were on drums and guitar. I love making music with them so much we recorded my second album earlier this year in George Ezra’s studio Hotel Quebec. More on that soon! 

Marcus Gon: You’re preparing yourself for your headline show on December 4th. How do you feel about, and how special do you want it to be?

Ella Clayton: I’m so excited!! We actually sold out a month in advance so they added another date on 14th January 2025. I’ll be joined by G-lo on cello, Leo on bass and guitar and Josh on drums and we’re going to play lots of new songs and a few old favourites! Plus we’ve got the amazing Matt Benson opening up the night. I’ve also been designing some merch based on some drawings of mine so its all very exciting.

Marcus Gon: Finally, your photoshoot occurred around Regent’s Canal and in the underground. What’s good to know about Regent’s Canal, and what’s your favourite place in London?

Ella Clayton: Yes! I love the canals in London, especially through Hackney where we took the photos. Check out the sharks in Haggerston! Anne-Sophie couldn’t stop laughing. 

It’s so hard to choose one favourite place in London! But I love walking through the city via the canals. It feels like a totally different way of experiencing it. The chaos and commotion all seems far away and you find yourself immersed in the peaceful sway of weeping willows, still waters and the smell of woodsmoke from the narrowboats.