Welcome to the latest in the series of weekly blog posts about songwriting, which includes interviews with composers and artists about their views and experiences in this field. This weeks interview is with singer-songwriter Elliott Ferguson, the current President of the Falmouth University Songwriter’s Society.
Matt:
What is your background in songwriting and performing?
Elliott:
I started writing my own music when I was around 16, my main influence was Avicii and I wrote a lot of stuff which didn’t match up to my ability to play so I would appear on songs with a friend. It was only after I wrote Down in Belfast after my grandfather died that I got into songwriting fully as it’s a great release and I love to do it. The first proper gig I had was last September at a Jacobs Ladder open mic which was where I met Ryan Wheeler and some of the guys from Red Van Records.
Matt:
Everyone has different reasons for writing songs, sometimes to express themselves, to tell a story etc. What drives you to write a song and where do you get your inspiration from?
Elliott:
I get most of my inspiration from personal experiences, sometimes they can be exaggerated to tell a story but I try and be as honest as possible with the majority of songs I write. The experiences are both good and bad ones; be it relationships and grief or having fun with my mates. I believe every song should tell a story. It’s part of my identity and I try to show who I am through my music.
Matt:
There are often differing views about songs, both on what the most important aspect is and what the most difficult element of a song to compose is. What do you think is the most important part of a song and do you struggle with a particular stage of composing?
Elliott:
I’d say the most important part of a song is its story and the message you want to say with it. I often find it difficult when I know the story and what I want to say but I can’t make it coherent. You can really want to write a song and finish it that day but sometimes you have to wait and sit with the idea to be able to deliver it in the right way.
Matt:
You’re currently the President of the Falmouth University Songwriter’s Society. How has running this society affected your songwriting and what advice can you give other songwriters?
Elliott:
Running the society hasn’t really affected my songwriting at all, it’s just a bit more responsibility but my committee are all fantastic so there isn’t really any pressure. Some advice I would give would be to remain true to yourself and make the music that you want to make; be open to criticism and take it on board, it can help but don’t be overruled by it. Everyone has different tastes so it doesn’t matter if one person doesn’t like your music. That’s something I’ve had to teach myself.
Matt:
What projects are you currently working on and where can we find out more?
Elliott:
I’m currently working on writing my next EP, but I’ve also got a music video for ‘Addicted to the Ocean’ in the works and I’m super excited about it! Any new announcements are posted on my social media
You can learn more about Elliott and his music by visiting his Instagram, Facebook and Twitter pages and can listen and purchase his EP “Helicopter Leaves” at Spotify, iTunes and YouTube. You can learn more about the Falmouth University Songwriter’s Society by visiting their Facebook page
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