We chat to John Ellis part of the duo with James Stewart paying tribute to Sting

John Ellis who is a sublime vocalist, plays guitar and piano and was also in the mega successful band Tree 63.

 John is now part of the duo with James Stewart paying tribute to Sting with their own reworking of the songs and interpretations of Sting classics

The duo are playing to rave reviews and sold out shows.

Readers will remember this song from Tree 63  -A Million Lights

I caught up with John last week

What is your purpose?

To do what I was born to.

What does music mean to you?

Music is another form of poetry.

My music is about…

Communicating something true.

What is your motto?

Surrender.

Fame is about…

Sheer unadulterated nonsense.

Retirement will happen when…

I die.

I don’t do…

Fame!

I would love to co-write with…

Ron Sexsmith.

Where do you go for inspiration to create?

To my studio, with all its strange toys and interesting nooks and crannies.

What is the most enjoyable aspect of your work?

The happy accidents that somehow capture something vital.

The song you must do during every show?

“Fall At Your Feet” by Crowded House

Any funny moments on stage?

A whole career’s worth!

My heroes are…

Bob Dylan. Bob Marley. John Lennon. Joni Mitchell. The Edge. Neil Finn. Tom Petty. Elvis. Johnny Rotten. Kate Bush. Stewart Copeland. Johnny Clegg.

My style icon is…

I have neither style nor an icon.

Which living person do you admire most and why?

I make a point of trying not to admire anyone (see answer on ‘fame’ above!).

What is your most treasured possession?

Any book I’m reading at the moment…

It’s your round; what are you drinking?

Bushmills

Dream gig to do?

Any gig where the audience takes me wherever it is the music’s transporting them

What makes you stand out?

I suppose that anyone who single-mindedly pursues the visions of their youth can be said to ‘stand out’…?

Any nicknames?

Nope!

If you were not a musician, what would you do?

Write poetry

Pick five words to describe yourself?

He/his/him/man/male

Five must have songs on your Spotify playlist please

I Am The Walrus – The Beatles

God Only Knows – The Beach Boys

Pride (In The Name of Love) – U2

Learning to Fly – Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers

Believe It When I See It – Ron Sexsmith

…

Greatest Movie Ever Made?

The Matrix

What book are you reading?

Love in the Time of Cholera by Gabriel Marica Marquez

What song changed your life?

Elvis Presley and America – U2

Who do you love?

Everyone!

What is your favorite Word?

“Beyond”

Top of your bucket list?

To buy just one more guitar. Just one.

Your greatest achievement?

My three children.

What do you complain about most often?

Trump. Spotify. Ed Sheeran. Book prices.

What is your biggest fear?

Going bald.

Happiness is…

An illusion. Deep peace is possible, but it’s hidden within, along a journey. Happiness is a cheeseburger.

On stage, I tend to…

Sing and play guitar.

The best life lesson you have learned?

The older you get, the less you know.

What has been your favorite journey so far?

Any journey with a bookshop at the end of it.

Do you do charity work, and if you do – what do you do?

No 

Wishes and dreams?

More music, more dreams…