Ellie Goulding hopes to duplicate U.K. success stateside

Ellie Goulding is fully aware that she needs to make as much noise in the United States as she did in her native United Kingdom.

Impacting the U.S. music scene is the rightful next step for any import artist, and she’s fine with it -- as long as it’s on her terms.

“There are always expectations of British artists to eventually go over and try to crack it here,” the singer-songwrtiter said. “I’ve built a little fan base back home, so I hope the same thing happens here. But I don’t want a big commercial push. I’d rather it happen kind of naturally, through word of mouth.”

So far, it seems the 24-year-old is getting her wish.

As the Hereford, England, native pushes her debut, “Lights,” on U.S. soil, she has rallied quite the buzz for herself,  mostly by playing a handful of smaller venues across the country, bookended by two major festivals: the recent South by Southwest Music Festival in Austin, Texas,  and last weekend’s Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival in Indio.

Days later, she’s still reeling from the performance; she closed her U.S. promo tour at the Music Box in Hollywood on Wednesday night.

“When I went out and saw the audience, I was very overwhelmed. I didn’t think that many people had heard of me. I guess it’s the power of the Internet and blogging,” she said. “I was very happy to have gotten that type of reaction, especially because I haven’t released [many] singles here.”

Specifically, she has only put out the album's title track as an offering Stateside -- it's the album's sixth single in the U.K.

Like most of the class of the most recent British invasion -- Adele, Mumford & Sons and Tinie Tempah -- she’s already quite massive back home.

Selling more than a half a million copies since its release in March 2010, “Lights” earned her the title of bestselling debut artist of the year in the U.K. Goulding also scored the Critics’ Choice Award at the 2010 Brit Awards, an honor previously bestowed upon Adele and Florence & the Machine. Maybe she was a little bit modest in saying she’s only built “a little fan base.”

“Lights” has gotten raves for its blend of electro, folk and pop. While Goulding fills the disc with plenty of ethereal hooks, there is a dark overcast with a handful of emotionally raw tracks such as “Under the Sheets,” “The Writer” and “Guns and Horses.”

The blend of genres offers her the chance to wear different hats onstage: One moment, she is channeling her inner disco diva as she withers around with her sweat-stained hair stuck to her face; another, she is pounding on a bass drum to the tune of Kanye Wests’s “Power” before picking up her guitar and launching into a riff of folksy pop.

Judging from the women who show up at her shows in custom-made T-shirts and scream the words to her songs, she’s struck a chord.

Just don’t ask her what she think brings people to her music.

“It’s such a difficult question. Its kinda like, when you ask someone why they like a certain kind of music. It’s hard to explain,” she said.  “I guess the stuff I write is sort of relatable. I’m always very specific with what I write. Maybe people appreciate my honesty. I’m not afraid to write big pop songs, but I’m also not afraid to be very honest and write about my fears and my problems. I think the girls, especially, relate to that.”

-- Gerrick D. Kennedy

twitter.com/gerrickkennedy

Photos: (Top) Ellie Goulding. Credit: Scott Trindle

(Bottom) Goulding performs April 17 at the Coachella Music & Arts Festival in Indio. Credit: Louis Sinco / Los Angeles Times

Comments

[Lane Zowe]

I don't think Ellie will break in the States unless she REALLY spends time touring here. Doing a handful of performances isn't going to cut it - she needs to get out there in a van, pay her dues, and tour tour tour.

I caught one of her sets at SXSW in Austin - a bit soulless. She chirped over pre-recorded tracks - it was like karaoke.

Also, I don't think U.S. radio is playing her at all???

[Bill S.]

I heard Ellie for the first time tonight on a previously viewed Jimmy Kimmel, she blew my mind and I instantly downloaded a few songs. I think she'll do well with the right exposure....very well. As a male listener I may not be the "targeted" ear but I know talent when I hear it....this chick has it! She gave me chills, and she's incredibly memorable. She's new here, she's got to keep that in mind, and perform with the confident powerful poise she quickly developed in the UK. She's a beautifully put together woman and has what it takes. Best wishes doll.

[Rocco]

I'll have to give the record a listen. I saw her on SNL and wondered what the fuss was all about. I didn't hear anything special.