Elsi is a singer / songwriter who hails from Norfolk. Born in the tiny hamlet of Southburgh, she now lives in Roydon, just outside Diss on the Norfolk / Suffolk border. You join Elsi, here, as she strikes out into the world of music and song, releasing her voice for the pleasure of all.
About Elsi
From her earliest vocalisations Elsi has had a passion for lyrical expression and her early exposure to an eclectic mix of musical styles – through regular attendance of musical events curated by the Southburgh Promoters of Art & Music (passive absorption as a baby, soon followed by rumbustious participation) and the ‘out there’ experience of Dance Camp East – complemented by annual immersions in the world of folk music and ceilidh dancing, courtesy of Chester Folk Festival. Chester Folk Festival was also where Elsi participated with her wider family, ( most of whom are musicians ), in communal music making, appreciation and merriment, creating a positive attitude to music and song.
Ely Folk Festival supplemented Elsi’s thirst for music when she was 11 years old. A perfect complement to Chester Folk Festival, Ely, with its energy and wide range of big-name acts, gave Elsi a taste of what is achievable and a glimpse of a possible future path to pursue. Ely Folk Festival is now an annual destination for Elsi and in 2019 was the event that has propelled her forward into the world of performance.
Elsi’s first instrument was her voice and she sang her way through school. She did, at a young age, take up the flute but it cramped her singing style (sic) so she dabbled with the ukulele, finding it an accessible accompaniment to her voice. Inevitably she progressed to the guitar, enjoying the extended range, she learned to read tabs and was soon creating her own arrangements for songs she loved. Among her most notable musical influences have been Eva Cassidy, Gordon Lightfoot, Cat Stevens/Yusef, Xavier Rudd – who inspired Elsi to take up the digeridoo, which she has also mastered – K T Tunstall, Kate Rusby and The Good Lovelies. Elsi is also an accomplished djembe drummer, but her finely tuned voice remains her favourite instrument.
Features
2019 has been Elsi’s ‘year of emergence’; starting with her first live performance at the South Norfolk Labour Party Acoustic showcase, followed by a number of appearances at ‘open mic’ events hosted by Barry Jones who has supported and encouraged Elsi as she ‘found her voice’. After 3 performances at Ely Folk Festival, culminating with Elsi opening the final night’s concert on stage 1, she has ventured further afield playing a number of venues in Norwich and performing on the Soapbox stage at Folk East.
Following her success at the ‘club tent’ at Ely folk festival, Elsi was interviewed by Nicky Stockman of BBC Radio Cambridgeshire who introduced her to the listening public on ‘The Folk Show’ transmitted on Monday 15th July.
Then on September 2nd Elsi was the featured artist on Les Ray’s ‘Strummers and Dreamers’ show on Cambridge 105 Radio. You can hear the full session below.
Video
Elsi’s song book currently reflects the musicians she finds most influential, including covers of songs by Kate Rusby, K T Tunstall and The Good Lovelies. She has also started to write her own material which is beginning to infuse her repertoire. Below is a carousel of her most recent recordings.
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