Ellie Beaton is one of the shining singers to come out of the North East. Ellie shared her talents at the Aberdeen City Music School before beginning her degree at the Royal Conservatoire of Music in Glasgow. She graces each performance with gumption and heart, representing the North East proudly as she sings traditional Scots songs and her own written work. Ellie is working on her first independent album set to be released in 2024 while we all wait in anticipation.
Favourite venue?
Glenbuchat Hall is my favourite one to perform in, it's a hall in Strathdon which is just a little town in the North East. My favourite one to go to is St Luke's- it's in Glasgow.
Pre-gig routine?
I have a cup of tea, then brush my teeth. I don’t know why but I always have to brush my teeth before I go on stage.
Post-gig relaxation?
Probably just have a pint. A pint and a snus.
Proudest moment so far?
Winning Scots Song Singer of the Year 2021. Or going on tour, I just came back from going on my first international tour. We went to Austria, Switzerland, Germany and Italy. I was with a guitarist called Gillie O’Flaherty, it was so much fun. Me, him and his little glasses. The Italy one was hilarious because they didn’t know a drop of English so we were just making up what we were saying. I turned up and was driven about the whole time, it was great.
What is your favourite thing to wear on stage?
I’m now starting to wear more things that I want to wear. I hate the idea that folk singers have got to wear long, floaty dresses and wear lots of makeup. The stereotype is basically to be as feminine as possible but that’s never really been me. So yeah, pretty much… get my tits out.
Lucky charm?
Sometimes I have a 5p in my shoe. I always find 5ps so I always think they’re lucky and I’ll just stick them in my shoe.
What have you got coming up?
I’m releasing an album next year. I think. I’ve just got the funding through so I’m working on that. I’m going to try and do it all in less than 4 grand but right now all we’re working with is two demos. It’s going to be half trad and then half my own stuff. All a bit fucking vague like. And I’m thinking about moving to Germany.
Best advice you’ve ever received?
I’m not sure about advice to be honest, there’s the basic stuff that everyone hears. Someone once said to me at school actually that ‘teuchters are worse than terrorists.’ That’s the opposite of advice but I’ve always actually found that quite funny to think back on. I embrace my teuchterness and that’s what has gotten me so far.
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