19-year-old Ellis J Barraclough is earning growing acclaim after just two singles, ‘Patience’ and ‘Blasphemy’. The singer-songwriter is winning tastemaker attention from BBC Introducing, BBC Radio London, BBC Radio, FAULT Magazine,Daily Star and Americana UK, while also being backed by famous names in the shape of Ocean Colour Scene and Lucy Beaumont. The strength of his songwriter is also going to see that list grow longer, as he proves with today’s release of his third single ‘Sunscreen’. Listen HERE.
Some songs somehow conjure the exact imagery that they explore, and that’s exactly what Ellis has achieved with ‘Sunscreen’. Its bright melodies and radiant vocal harmonies evoke peak summer bliss, when you just want to chill out, in the sun with a cold drink. Yet Ellis still finds the space to fire out a blistering guitar solo that is just as much ‘Purple Haze’ as it is summer days.
Ellis says, “When the sun is shining down all is right with the world.”
‘Sunscreen’ was written solely by Ellis and was produced by his regular collaborator and mentor, Vincent Garcia, whose credits include big ‘90s hits for Drizabone and Shanice.
Ellis J Barraclough is someone who simultaneously feels as if he comes from two different generations. On one hand he has an easygoing, boy next door charm of a teenager who can see a bright future ahead of him, but on the other his songwriter feels like the product of someone with years of experience in the game. In the studio, he prioritises achieving a warm, natural sound by recording to tape and focusing entirely on recording with live instrumentation.
That approach gives Ellis’s music a classic feel that’s in keeping with his key influences, such as The Beatles and George Harrison’s solo work, as well as Jose Gonzales, Kings of Leon and Ocean Colour Scene.
‘Sunscreen’ has become one of Ellis’s signature songs to the extent that it now shares a title with his recently-formed five-piece band – although he still also plays solo sets too. Next on the live events calendar is a show at York Barbican on July 26th as special guest to Ocean Colour Scene. He will then head to Castle Donington to play the Off The Tracks Festival on August 30th.
