Meet Ethel: Musician and Recording Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Ethel and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Ethel, why did you pursue a creative career?
Ever since I was knee high, music was all I ever imagined doing with my life. Music made my heart sing. I remember watching Stevie Wonder and Ray Charles on the tv, playing the piano and singing with so much passion, and I knew that is exactly what I wanted to do. So I jumped on the piano we had in our house, aged 4, and never looked back. I didn’t take any formal training, I taught myself how to play and sing by studying all the greats. I then spent every waking hour learning songs, writing songs, gigging and performing, and eventually when I left school – I signed my first record deal and was lucky to be able to tour the world.
I have never tried to pursue another career, purely because I get such a buzz from music, I don’t feel the need to search for something else. Sure, my journey has had extreme highs and lows – and there have been several times I’ve contemplated quitting. The stability of another career path seemed inviting, especially at times I hit rock bottom. But something special would always happen, and would bring me back to music. I believe I have a story to tell, and making people feel something with my music is what I have been called on Earth to do. So here I am!

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
After performing nearly my whole entire life, I left school and entered a reality music tv competition in the UK (that was filmed in the US). It was a boot camp style programme, where Mathew Knowles (Beyoncé’s father) was looking for a next star. It was a fun, brutal, hard working, outrageous, emotional rollercoaster of an experience, from me writing a song and working with John Legend, to me trying my first ever ‘corn dog’ (ok, that part isn’t that crazy but it was for me) and I ended up winning the whole show! I then signed my first major record deal, and I then went on tour with the Queen, Beyoncé, as her opening act in the UK, Europe, US and Canada. A real highlight of my life, and an extremely surreal and unbelievable experience. Touring with the biggest superstar of the world, who also happens to be the most humble and down to earth, I learnt an extreme deal about the industry I was walking in. Her work ethic was like nothing I have ever seen in anyone, and I will always be reminded of how hard you have to work to be the best. Along with some luck of course 🙂 I parted ways with my label some years later, and decided to be independent after seeing how much the industry was rapidly changing, and because I really wanted to have more control over my artistry and what I owned. I hit some highs and lows after the tour, but the lows only made me realize my worth and carry on with my head held high.
Being authentic and genuine is so important to me, it means much more than anything else I used to think of as being ‘successful’. I don’t want to change who I am just to suit a certain mould, if I can make you feel something with my music, that is what moves me.
If Beyoncé can love me for me being me, then I’ll carry on doing just that 🙂

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Ooh this is a great question! Because there are so many amazing places in this city! I would definitely get some bikes and ride on the belt line, through Piedmont Park, all the way to the end. People watching, bar hopping on the way, it’s all part of the fun!
We would stop in Elsewhere Brewing in Grant Park, and grab one of their incredible beers and eat their delicious smoked trout empanadas!
We would grab some of the most magical donuts you’ll ever have in your life, Sublime Donuts…and then have a walk around some of my favorite spots, East Atlanta, Virginia Highlands, just to name a few.
We would check out some food trucks, especially ‘Sunshine Alchemy’ – the most mouth watering vegan food you’ll ever have in your life!
Basically, we would just eat and drink the whole time. There’s nothing wrong with that right?

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
There are so many unbelievable people in my life that I want to thank, shout their names out to the rooftops, and shine a light on. I have been so blessed to have so many angels that have all influenced and shaped me to where I am today. Unfortunately, it would probably take up at least 20 pages, so for now I am going to shine a light on my incredible husband, my best friend, Bryant Laursen.
Also another musician, I met the love of my life in 2018, here in Atlanta, and that was the start of our love story. Not only is he an absolutely gifted beyond words jazz saxophonist, but his heart is the biggest I have ever encountered. He is my number 1 fan, he supports and encourages me, lifts me, believes in me (as if I were Beyoncé) and is the best cheerleader I could ever have in life. I never thought I would ever want to date another musician (we’re all a little crazy, how would there be room for two?) let alone marry one! But it’s a dream come true. We perform together, and having him share the other love of my life; music, is the biggest blessing I could ever ask for.
Thank you for everything you do Bryant. You are my true hero.

Instagram: @theofficialethel

Image Credits
Samuel Hodges – Photography