Formula Indie Sessions – Interview with Elliot Porter
This project is an EP called ‘I Choose The Moon’, which is my second EP following the Albums ‘Keep Going’ and ‘Lanes’, and my first long-format release in five years.
What is your earliest memory connected to music?
I think it would have to be playing ‘Here Comes the Sun’ by the Beatles in my grandparents ‘music room with my cousin and sister. I recorded it on a tape, and to my knowledge, it is still in existence somewhere!
How did your passion for creating music begin?
I always knew I wanted to be a songwriter after studying the music of Lennon/McCartney and Elton John/Queen as a kid, but it wasn’t until I was introduced to Noel Gallagher’s songwriting that I was sure I wanted to go down that route. Something about Oasis and the way he wrote songs resonated with me, so I then began exploring the classic singer-songwriters like Dylan, Neil Young and James Taylor alongside modern greats like David Gray, Damien Rice and Glen Hansard.
What’s the story behind your current music project?
I actually had a full album mapped out in 2021, but I wasn’t really sold on it, so I started releasing singles, including ‘Normal People’, Into the Light’ and ‘Christmas in my Heart’, to bridge the gap between releases. It wasn’t until Martin Porter came to me with the ‘Constellations’ project that I started to think about an EP. Constellations, a lovely project building on the lyrics of 9-year-old Rosie Porter, was the catalyst for me getting some other songs together and writing two new ones to form the EP ‘I Choose the Moon’.
How would you describe your sound to someone who has never heard your music before?
I once described it as Neil Young meeting the Beatles for a quiet drink, and I stand by that, but I would say now that it is heartfelt, folky songwriting with a beating heart, akin to Noel Gallagher and Elliot Smith.
What is one thing you’ve learned that completely changed the way you make music?
Without a doubt, meeting the producers who have shaped my music. I was merely a songwriter who played live before I met Dave Gerard in around 2014,who helped me realise the vision I had for my music and went on to produce Keep Going, Lanes and Happier. Through Dave, I met some amazing musicians, including Steve Maclachlan, who has now become an integral part of producing my sound, adding drums, bass, and so much more to my recent recordings and building on the platform that I had initially. I would also give a shoutout to all the co-writers and musicians I have played live with who undoubtedly had an influence on me.
What tools, instruments, or software are essential in your creative process?
Piano, Guitar and Logic! But before that, there is a lot of note-taking, pondering about life over a beer or a wine and studying the way people are, which helps me create narratives and characters.
Which indie artist or song are you loving right now?
I do really love Sam Fender, although he is more mainstream now. In terms of indie artists, I love so many but my main picks would probably be Dan Wilde, Elizabeth and Jamieson, Melody Coles and Daisy Chute – all brilliant artists.
How have your personal experiences influenced your music and artistic vision?
Massively. Initially, everything I wrote was from personal experience, be it a relationship, friendship, debauched night out or series of nights out and the characters you meet in pubs. Now I tend to write from the perspective of others, but I also still tap into my own feelings, life experiences and thoughts on love and existence. I am continually baffled by the sheer existence of life, and I want that to come through in my music.
What emotions or messages do you hope listeners take from your work?
Ultimately, I want people to feel something. It can be happy or sad, but as long as you are feeling something, you are truly living. The minute you stop feeling anything is a time when you know something is wrong. In terms of messaging, I don’t know, but maybe I’d like people to all feel that we are part of a world in which we can often not explain or come to terms with, so if we can all feel as one for 3-4 minutes of a powerful song, as I often do, then that’s enough for me.
What’s the most important lesson music has taught you so far?
Music is the power – you are simply a vehicle for that – moving through, but shaping it in your own small way.
What is a dream venue or festival you would love to perform at?
I’m playing a couple next year, but for me, The Royal Albert Hall, Carnegie Hall or Glastonbury Festival (I’ve only ever busked there! )
If you could collaborate with any artist, past or present, who would it be and why?
Past – John Lennon
Current – Damien Rice, Glen Hansard or Noah Gundersen probably.
Where can our listeners follow and support your music?(Website,Spotify, IG, links)
https://www.elliotporter.co.uk
https://www.facebook.com/elliotportermusic
https://www.instagram.com/porter_ell/?hl=en
https://www.youtube.com/elliotportermusic
Looking toward the future, what’s your dream for the next chapter of your musical journey?
I would truly love to play to bigger audiences, even though I love the intimate gigs I do. I plan to get my Christmas song featured on a Christmas film, and ultimately, I hope to make a groundbreaking 3rd album with all of my influences coming together. Then I can relax and move to the Cotswolds!
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What do you hope listeners will discover about you along the way?
I truly hope the listeners will discover that I’m just a guy, pouring his heart out and playing his heart out to try and help people and improve the human condition. If I could give 1% of what the likes of the songwriters that I love have given to me, then I would be happy.
