Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Ellery Bonham. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Ellery, so many exciting things to discuss, we can’t wait. Thanks for joining us and we appreciate you sharing your wisdom with our readers. So, maybe we can start by discussing optimism and where your optimism comes from?
I grew up the youngest in a big and loving family which undoubtedly shaped who I was going to become. I was also raised in the church which, from a young age, inspired values like gratitude, compassion, and hope. Although I’ve grown apart from religion, I’ve held onto spirituality which is still the core of who I am in the world. I think being surrounded by loving and joyful people when I was young set up a rude awakening when I got out into the real world and met a lot of cynics. The older I get, the more I’ve made the conscious decision to be the kind of person I want to be around. I truly believe what you put out into the world is what you attract.
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
I’ve been singing for as long as I could talk. I’m sure some of that was because I enjoyed performing for my family, but because it was something I showed promise in, my parents were so supportive of putting me in musical theatre and church to sing wherever I could get the chance. My love of storytelling and connection through music developed into songwriting and I moved to Nashville to pursue music in 2011. I didn’t yet know anything about production, but I learned how to write songs on loop stations and that’s when my creativity felt the most unlocked. I put out my first EP in 2015, signed a record deal in 2018, and released my first full length album Quarterlife Blur in 2021. Now I’m back to being independent and just released my first song, Soak, off an upcoming body of work that I’m really excited to share.
Every step I’ve taken into music has always given me the hunger for more — singing became songwriting, songwriting became recording, recording became production, and that’s when I honed in on specifically focusing on melodies, vocals, and crafting a great vocal performance from others. Right now, I write and record songs full-time for licensing, other artists, and myself. I need to switch it up so I don’t get too stuck on autopilot. Growing a range of skills has been really important to feel like I have enough tools to create as well as being valuable to others in a room.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Areas of Knowledge: I think having a specialty is really valuable in this industry. Being the person people call when they need THAT thing keeps you in conversation and for hire, so being a “vocal” person has really helped open doors for me. That being said..
Skills: Only having one skill set can be a huge setback. I’ve learned it’s wise to pick up other skills like songwriting and recording from home. This has only made me more valuable because I can send sessions and files back and forth quickly, and work on other projects in between my for-hire work. Plus, I think growing other muscles only enhances your taste and creativity.
The third asset might be the most important, and that is people skills/emotional intelligence. As an artist myself, I know the creative process thrives on good energy so it’s essential to bring that to a room. I’ve seen so many great players not get a gig because someone else fit the vibe better. Being the best is not always your ticket in. Being a friend and someone people feel safe around, have a good time with, trust, and feel confident introducing to others is everything.
Awesome, really appreciate you opening up with us today and before we close maybe you can share a book recommendation with us. Has there been a book that’s been impactful in your growth and development?
The War of Art by Steven Pressfield. This book is like my creative bible whenever I’m feeling stuck. I often get into a spiral that my career path is self-serving and the only way to succeed is to feed self-centeredness. Pressfield writes about resistance and how our egos love to tell stories that hold us back. In the second half of the book he writes about ‘invoking our muse.’ He likens our muse to angels on the other side of glass trying to get our attention. The angels of course, are where our true-self resides, while resistance is where our fears reside. He encourages us to let go of the stories that are limiting our potential and step into what we know we were brought here to do. He closes with,
“Creative work is not a selfish act or a bid for attention on the part of the actor. It’s a gift to the world and every being in it. Don’t cheat us of your contribution. Give us what you’ve got.”
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Www.ellerybonham.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ellerybonham?igsh=enp2aXhhYnFtZDA4
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ElleryBonhamMusic?mibextid=LQQJ4d
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@ellerybonham?si=R20_GWxjwWX1e0lC
- Soundcloud: https://on.soundcloud.com/YowNEjiPQA38fohK8
- Other: Tik Tokhttps://www.tiktok.com/@ellerybonham?_t=8p0jTwzgTZn&_r=1
Image Credits
Cami Bradley Photography
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