The "Talking This Over" EP features her new single of the same name and explores "being in a new relationship, when it's all new and exciting as you first get to know each other". In contrast, "Stranger" is a more intimate acoustic song featuring beautiful vocal harmonies "about a person who you shouldn't be a stranger too, but you are, but it's through no fault of your own". A distinctive and intricate guitar riff drives through the very catchy and upbeat "Better I Try", and the final track "Red lights" is an out and out love song: "There are no red lights in our lives, no stop signs, just free rides".
Singing old Manx Gaelic songs and playing Celtic music on the harp have undoubtedly given Erika a distinctive quality both inner covers of contemporary pop songs, and now to her original songs where she is joined by her co-writers Malcolm Stitt on guitars and Joshua Rumble on bass, keys and vocals.
"Talking This Over" will soon be boosted by a national UK radio plugging campaign after London based company Pluggin' Baby discovered Erika on BBC Radio 1's Introducing website.
Erika's first single "Better I Try" was released earlier this year and reached number 5 in the iTunes singer/songwriter charts. The accompanying music video, which was filmed in the stunning Gaiety Theatre, has gained nearly 8000 hits so far and the song has been played extensively on local radio stations as well as BBC Radio Scotland. Watch "Better I Try" on YouTube here.
We caught up with Erika to find out more.
What triggered your interest in music?
It started from quite an early age with the playing of simple instruments - a recorder and an ocarina. At the age of 7, upon moving primary schools, I joined a penny-whistle group, which then resulted in being selected for the school's folk group known as "Share Na Veg". It was here that I first discovered harp and the interest developed more and more. I think I've always just loved the way you can get carried away with music.
For those who haven't heard your music yet what could they expect to hear?
If you like gentle genre's of music, then that sums it up. In particularly, my newest single, "Talking This Over" has been regarded as sounding like something that Coldplay would write, which is a lovely compliment! I think my music also depicts some significant life events that could be relatable to many other people.
What is your personal favourite song by another artist?
Oooo, this is tough. Ermm...I have an all time love for "Send Me on My Way" by Rusted Root, but I think that's very much in competition with "Samson" by Regina Spektor - I LOVE HER VOICE!
What are your future plans/hopes?
I'm currently studying a BSC Honours dual degree in Psychology and Counselling, so I hope to complete that successfully and become a psychologist, however I love to play harp at functions, weddings etc, so I really want to stick at doing that regularly, whilst also writing more and more music with lots of other musicians and songwriters.
Where can people find out more about you?
I can be found on Facebook, on YouTube, on Twitter, on Soundcloud, on Instagram (erikakellymusic) and through being searched on iTunes.
