Ed Sheeran Interview
Ed Sheeran is one of the music industries best kept secrets, why one of the major labels has not put a large advance in his hand and sent him to a studio I have no idea. His music is clever, witty sometimes way beyond his years. Last week he opened a show featuring Iglu & Hartley/New Politics at Norwich Art Centre, the place was half full when Ed started but by the end of his set it was packed.
There are many reasons why Ed holds a crowd. Ok, for the young girls there is his slightly shy, endearing nature, but for me it is his ability to loop and build Jamie Woon style but not till it is boorish. As a singer/songwriter he is streets ahead of many more well known artists. Ed and myself caught up after the gig for a quick chat I had no pre-prepared background so it was kind of spontaneous…
Mark: Hi Ed! That was a blinding set tonight! I so enjoyed it. You know, it’s not every gig that both the other acts come to watch a complete set by an opening act.
Ed: Thanks very much man!
Mark: Believe you are local to these parts or have roots here?
Ed: I grew up in Suffolk, so vaguely. I moved to London about two years ago but I have been back and forth gigging and what not.
Mark: So I loved the song you did tonight “Class A”…
Ed: Thank you! I’m glad you picked that one up, I wanted to get that one out there a bit more so yeah.
Mark: I really enjoyed it, you said that it was inspired by some voluntary work you did with homeless people over Christmas? So how was that?
Ed: It was a really steep learning curve! It was nice but definitely depressing being there but was nice to be able to give something back and play for the people there as well.
Mark: You have a gig coming up on the 25th Feb at La Noir headlining?
Ed: Yes the new venue in Norwich, think they have a guy called Natty playing there the night after as well and he is pretty good.
Mark: So you do this looping stuff, is that something you have always done or something you have built into your set?
Ed: Ever since I have been writing songs I have been looping, I got the idea from a guy called Gary Dunn he is amazing but yea pretty much. I mean I was in bands and stuff from the age of about eleven or twelve at school, but looping is much easier to do because you can do more gigs and have much greater control.
Mark: Your version of Wayfaring Stranger tonight to finish the set was just amazing, you can do so much when you loop acapella Jamie Woon style!!
Ed: Well that’s actually a take on Jamie Woon’s version of Wayfaring Stranger, he actually lays more vocals on his version and it’s kind of more trancey. He is actually a good friend we are meeting up this week for a Haiti fundraiser.
Mark: So being very ignorant and not knowing too much about you are you signed?
Ed: I’m not signed although I have a single coming out with Island Records, but that’s more of a distribution deal. That’s quite exciting, should get me some press and attention. But it is more a personal thing to not be signed as I am wanting to get all these E.P.s out before I am not allowed to.
Mark: Yea I’m pretty friendly with The Joy Formidable and that’s a route that they have gone down and still managed to pull some pretty big tour support slots and get stuff out there.
Ed: Yea pretty much like the Joy Formidable have done If I was signed I would not be able to sell my CDs at gigs and get my stuff out there. I have been lucky enough to find enough gigs to make a living and sell enough CDs so it’s good.
Mark: So the single comes out then you see where it takes you?
Ed: Yea I have the single coming out, then two more EPs coming out this year. I have just finished one that’s being printed up at the moment. Then I will record the next one with the funds I raise from that one. Hopefully the single will raise the profile and there will be more support tours coming from that.
Mark: Well I am sure we will be hearing a lot more from you Ed! That was a cracking set mean that!
Ed: Thanks very much for taking the time out to chat and see you soon.
For anyone not familiar with Jamie Woon’s version of “Wayfaring Stranger” check the video below.
i meant to say as well that Ed is only just 19 but for me already has the stage presence of an established artist.He is so so good live !!!