Remington Fioraso, Canadian Beats
Interview By: Remington Fioraso
Photo Credit: Brendan Klem
Ellen Doty is a singer-songwriter from Calgary, Alberta. In 2014, she released her debut album “Gold.” On April 13, 2015, the singer released her latest single “Just So You Know.” I had the opportunity to conduct an email interview with Ellen. Be sure to continue reading to find out more about the singer and connect with her via social media.
What inspired you to pursue a career in music?
Dave Mancini, an incredible jazz drummer from New York, inspired me to pursue my career. I was going into my fourth year of a Geology degree at the University of Calgary when I met Dave. He saw me performing at a lounge and told me that I had something special and I shouldn’t give up on music. Since then I haven’t looked back!
Whom, or what, have been influences on your writing?
I find inspiration everywhere. Musically I love throwing it back to jazz greats like Nat King Cole and Ella Fitzgerald for inspiration. And there are so many modern artists that influence me: Lauryn Hill, Norah Jones, or Michael Buble to name a few.
How has the reception been for “Just So You Know” so far?
I’ve been absolutely overwhelmed by the response to “Just So You Know”. The story of this song is so personal to me that it was scary to share with the world. But since it’s release so many people have reached out to me and taken the time to share their own stories of grief. It’s amazing to hear the connections people are making with “Just So You Know”, and it makes the song even more special to me.
How was the filming experience for the accompanying music video?
The filming experience for the music video was incredible. I’ve done some really fun videos in the past with dancers and big sets but for this one, we just stripped everything down and focused on connecting with the music. You can really see the emotion I’m feeling as I sing, and in a few takes I started to tear up. It was an experience I’ll never forget. I couldn’t have asked for a better crew and group of musicians to have there to work with. A big thank you goes out to Brock Mitchell the filmmaker.
For those who have yet to see you live, how would you describe your performances?
I would describe my performances as a journey. When I write, I write about my experiences, so I’m really taking you through the last few years of my life – all the ups and down. Throughout the night we will laugh and cry together, and I think the audience comes away feeling like they know me.
What can fans expect next from you?
I am currently writing music for a sophomore album and I couldn’t be more excited about the project. I am going to have the privilege of working with some amazing songwriters from Canada and the U.S. for this album. On this record, I want to really focus on revealing who I truly am as an artist both lyrically and musically. Fans will see me bring a wider variety of influences into this project starting with jazz, but also reaching out into pop, folk, and other uncharted territories for me.
At Canadian Beats, we like to include ‘fun’ questions to help fans get to know a bit more about you so here it goes…
Who are your favourite Canadian artists?
I absolutely love Alex Cuba, Danny Michel, Phil Dwyer, City and Color, Feist, and so many more.
What is your favourite movie?
No fair, I have so many! Out of ones I’ve seen recently, Interstellar really blew me away.
What is your favourite thing to do in your downtime?
I love to play basketball. I’ll take anybody one on one!
What is the one thing you cannot leave your home without?
My headphones and iPod! You can catch me subconsciously singing along while I’m out and about.
Finally, is there anything else you would like to say to your fans?
There’s nothing I can say that could truly describe how much I appreciate their support. Thank you can’t even begin to say how thankful I am. I mean that from the bottom of my heart.