An emerging singer-songwriter from Far North Queensland (Cooktown to be exact), Ella Hartwig may only be in the infant stages of her career but she's already proving herself a deft hand at writing songs that connect with the heart.
Influenced by folk, indie rock, and country sounds, Ella's own compositions have already seen her recognised at a number of songwriting competitions – both locally and internationally – while she is a twice Queensland Music Awards nominated artist the past two years (for songs she wrote as a 13 year old).Recently awarded Cook Shire's Young Citizen Of The Year, Ella's newest release is another ballad drenched in heart-felt, emotive lyrics 'Dear Grandpa'. "The song is quite melancholic," Ella says.
"The idea is that I am singing to my Grandpa and apologising that we don't get to visit much because he lives far away and COVID has not allowed us to travel."
The song was released yesterday (6 February), a poignant date for Ella that marks not only her own mother's birthday but also the birthday of her Grandpa's late wife.
The past year or so for yourself; judging by your Instagram you've been busy with shows and bringing your music to plenty of new audiences?
Over the past couple years, I have been busy working on my image as a musician and sharing my content.
I have played at many venues including the Cairns Tanks Art Centre, Cairns Salt House, Cooktown RSL, Lion's Den Hotel, and festivals such as the Cooktown Wallaby Creek Folk Festival, Black Mountain Unplugged, and a few more.
I am constantly on the scout for new festivals, and I have an east-coast tour in the works for late April that I will be announcing on my socials very soon. The idea of the tour is to drive down the east coast from Cooktown, and wind up in Brisbane with the hope to go full-time with my music.
Tell us the story behind your new single 'Dear Grandpa'?
'Dear Grandpa' is a heavy-hearted ballad where I sing to my grandpa about living a great distance away – 2,837 kilometres to be exact, as quoted in the song. It was inspired by the passing of his late wife.
I have noticed the song's extensive relatability, as we are all being affected by a worldwide pandemic where most of us are unable to visit family due to closing of borders.
The main idea from the song came from 'all the carpets were rolled up'; this was a strange change to notice when I visited them, but the story behind that was that my grandmother was so sick, she was unable to get around easily on the carpets.
This metaphor signifies the pivotal change I am writing about, as my favourite line of the song expresses 'it's changed a bit now, that we've all grown up'. I love this line as [society] regularly focus on the grandkids getting older, but the reality is that we are all getting older, unfortunately including our grandparents.
What's the significance of the song being released on 6 February?
The release date of 6 February signifies the birthday of both my late grandmother and my own mother. I thought it'd be such a sweet day to release as a present for my mum and in remembrance of Sue.
You've also learnt violin for this track, an instrument your grandfather loves; how difficult has that process being and do you plan to add more strings to future compositions?
It has definitely been a challenge! I love a good musical task, and the violin is quite different from the other stringed instruments I can play.
I got a lovely session musician in to do these tracks. There are around 12 string tracks in total for this song. We've got a few violins, cello and even viola. They really speak volumes and express the song's meaning so pure and heavy-hearted.
Creative influences; who, what inspires you?
I love listening to a variety of music, but my main inspirations are local artists that I have grown up watching and who have personally mentored me. These are amazing women such as Deb Suckling, Roz Pappalardo and Leanne Tennant. These lovely ladies have been influential as I watch their own music careers develop.
The styles of my originals are a mix of indie, folk and recently country, but the main drive is the catharsis of songwriting and how it makes me feel. My latest stuff is raw and honestly so scary to release, as I am expressing my feelings to the world.
Lately, I have been aspiring to write very honest material about what is happening in my life. This can be challenging and quite unnerving to share such private thoughts in an art form.
You've been nominated twice the past two years for Queensland Music Awards; that must be a nice boost to your confidence as well as industry recognition for your own originals?
The songwriting nominations are definitely encouraging. The first nomination in 2020 really inspired me to keep writing, as I was feeling quite insecure about my music.
Growing up in a small, remote town was quite tricky at times, because I wasn't surrounded by a thriving music scene or many similar-minded people. I really had to keep in mind why I was writing and challenge my anxiety when getting on stage. I am eternally grateful for how supportive my family, friends and the community of Cooktown has been while growing up.
What was it like to fly down and be part of the QMA ceremony last year? Any fan-girl moments you'd like to share?
It was so flash! It was the second time I've worn high heels in my life and most definitely the first time on a red carpet.
It was a first for me and I was in awe the entire night, from being surrounded by amazing musicians to how atmospheric it was. I got to network with incredible people and chat to many. That's how I got to play at the Cairns Salt House Food and Wine Festival at the end of 2021.
You were part of the Big Sky Girls mentorship programme in 2018; how important to your own career's development was that time; as well as the long-lasting friendships and networks created?
The Big Sky Girls Mentorship programme was such an incredible and such a recommended experience.
I stay in touch with almost every single person who was involved, and I feel like I formed some life-long musical mentors and relationships. Through the programme, I got to record my first ever single 'Further Away' and I was blown away by my first time in a studio.
I fell in love with writing and recording, and it really cemented the dream for me. It was so overwhelming to be surrounded by so much support and I am proud to say I have relations with the other musicians four years later. The Big Sky Girls team, namely Deb Suckling, guided me through applying for my first arts grant and recording and releasing my own EP.
I am so grateful for all this support, and in times when my anxiety is high and self-esteem low, I remember the support from this amazing network of people and my small-town community.
You've been playing music for more than a decade, writing your own songs for close to ten years; was it pretty natural then for you to pursue a career in music?
I wrote my first song at age 11, and since then I have been developing my skills and being recognised in local, state, national and even international competitions. At age 18, I feel like I have such a long way to go and am so keen on learning and gaining new experiences.
You've released your own merchandise including your own stubbie coolers; that must be pretty cool?
It feels amazing to be able to promote my own merchandise. It feels strange to think of my music as a product that I need to market, but it is so rewarding to see people holding my coolers or walking around with my shirts on.
Being able to hand out stickers makes me feel like my music is getting more established and I am hoping to work on more products.
On your socials you posted a few piccies of your recent move to Thursday Island; how are you finding it all?
I keep laughing to myself as it feels so surreal. I can't believe the first time moving out of home was to a remote island I'd never visited, and where I did not know a single person who lived here.
I kept being called 'bold' and 'brave' to move here alone, but everyone up here has been so friendly and welcoming. I feel like I am in the perfect place to write my heart out and draw inspiration from all these experiences.
Being the first time away from home, you penned 'One You've Never Known'; how does that song encapsulate all the feelings you've felt as the next stage of your life begins?
'One You've Never Known' is such a raw and honest representation of my life. I am so excited to record it and share again, as I wrote it about leaving home for the first time.
It explains how I grew up in Lakefield National Park in my earlier years, and then in Cooktown, where both my parents work with the land. Cape York is home to me, and I tried to capture the lifestyle up here with the 'dirt on my car' line. Typical ha ha.
You were awarded recently the Young Citizen of The Year Award from the Cook Shire; but it's not just your music that got you recognised, right?
It was an honour to be awarded Cook Shire Young Citizen Of The Year, and I cannot thank my community enough.
My individual efforts reflect providing music for the community, but I have done some volunteering in the land management fields as well. Some of the coolest experiences of my life were being ground support for my father, when he goes on aerial control burns up the Cape. And yes, that means he lights fires out of a helicopter!
As a fresh P-plater, I got to volunteer for Cape York NRM over a few days and drive supplies around different stations up the Cape when dad flew between them. I don't think I could get better inspiration. My volunteering efforts include several beach clean-ups over the years and even singing at them for lunch.
