Get To Know... Ellur • Neu • DIY Magazine

Hello and welcome back to DIY’s introducing feature, Get To Know… which aims to get you a little bit closer to the buzziest acts that have been catching our eye as of late, and working out what makes them tick.

Kicking off the new year is indie singer-songwriter Ellur - aka Halifax native Ella McNamara - whose long-awaited debut album, ‘At Home In My Mind’, lands next month via cult Leeds label Dance To The Radio. Yorkshire born and bred (with a musical moniker that’s named after the local pronunciation of her birth name), she weaves together the grit of ’90s alt-rock, the anthemic builds of Sam Fender, and a knack for unflinchingly earnest lyricism that’s entirely her own.

A poignant, personal document of a young woman navigating the uncertainty and insecurity of coming of age, the record’s ten tracks are, in Ella’s words, “about identity and feelings and experiences I only feel safe to visit in my music.” Ahead of the LP’s arrival, we catch up with Ellur to learn more about how her roots and hometown have shaped the artist - and person - she is today.

You hail from Halifax - musically, what was it like growing up there? And what do you think of its music scene now?
Growing up in Yorkshire has had a great influence on my writing and music - the space and serenity I feel when I’m there gives me such a good headspace for songwriting. As a teenager, there were a lot of all-male guitar bands that I used to have stars in my eyes over, too. There are some great independent venues in and around Halifax, including Victoria Theatre, Grayston Unity and The Trades Club. Its music scene now is kind of thriving, particularly with the opening of The Piece Hall - we’ve seen all sorts of huge talent over the last few years come here, and it’s my dream to headline there.

What was the first song / album you developed an obsession with (and why)?
I was very much obsessed with Avril Lavigne from the age of about two or three. The album ‘Let Go’ was such a big part of my life - I used to make a stage with a blanket and do ‘shows’ for my family, lip-syncing along to her songs. She was a girl with a guitar, and that’s what I wanted to be.

‘At Home In My Mind’ really hones in on themes of belonging, identity, and feeling at ease with yourself. What does the concept of home mean to you? Is it rooted in Yorkshire, or is it something more intangible and abstract?
Both, I think. When music becomes your full time career, there’s a tendency to be encouraged to move to London, but I could never leave Yorkshire. It’s so beautiful, there’s so much great music, and it’s so rich with culture. With reference to the album title, ‘At Home in My Mind’ is about being at peace with all the parts of you that you don’t like, as well as the bits you do. I’ve struggled with my mental health for so long, but writing this album helped me stop resisting myself and start listening to what I need. It’s played a big part in shaping who I am and what I want from my career.

“I’ve struggled with my mental health for so long, but writing this album helped me stop resisting myself and start listening to what I need.”

Who would be your dream collaborator?
There’s too many to name one. Chris Martin, Adrienne Lenker, Brian Eno, Nick Cave, Matty Healy, CMAT, Sharon Van Etten, Sam Fender, Cameron Winter - the list goes on. I’d have loved to have got the chance to work with some heroes like Bowie or Jeff Buckley too…

Your new single, ‘Dream Of Mine’, explores the push and pull between personal ambition and societal expectation. Can you tell us a bit more about how this dynamic has affected your artistic journey so far, and informed your debut album?
I think I’ve always been ashamed of the part of myself that wants big things - it always felt a bit big-headed or egotistical. I got picked on for it a little bit at school, and usually when you tell people you want to be a rockstar, they look at you like you’re insane. ‘Dream Of Mine’ is about how being very career driven has caused me to lose out on some things in life. I’m just so grateful that the closest people around me are people that do support me and believe me when I tell them I’m gonna make it.

What’s your new year’s resolution? And what’s one thing you’ll be leaving in 2025?
I am - as the kids say - ‘locking in’ this year. I want to get at least eight hours of sleep a night, and I want to read at least one book a month. In a similar vein, I’m leaving the ‘bedtime scroll’ behind in 2025 - it’s soooo bad for your brain. I’ve kept it up so far, and my head genuinely feels clearer.

Finally, DIY are coming round for dinner - what are you making?
Oooh, I absolutely love cooking so this is such a good question. I’d have to say maybe a tomato and garlic linguine with fresh pasta. My partner got me a pasta roller a few birthdays ago… you can’t beat fresh pasta. Then I’d probably whip up some vanilla gelato for dessert.

‘At Home In My Mind’ is out on 6th February via Dance To The Radio.

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