SF based singer/songwriter EllaHarp is a curious sort of artist. After years honing her skills touring, recording, and releasing music on a unique harp she designed for the purpose, 2020 saw the addition of another self designed/built instrument that got swiftly put to work; a small, 5 string banjo which fits just inside said harp’s case, which in turn fits neatly in an airplane overhead. A bit like musical Russian dolls…
Her 2021 sophomore album ‘Screaming Into the Void’ showcases both instruments in signature style, blending folk and Americana with pop sensibilities, highlighting dark, thoughtful lyrics and memorable hooks. The independently released album spinned on 85+ radio stations nationally and abroad, and saw multiple chart appearances on the NACC Top 30 Folk, the AMA top 200 and the FAI Top Albums in both Oct and Nov 2021.
Entering the scene with her 2018 debut album, ‘Who Asked You Back’ (hitting #4 and #2 on RMR Top 50 Folk and Top 50 Contemporary Folk Album charts), EllaHarp played 150+ shows in 7 states and a province (from opening for Grammy winning singer Mýa in San Diego to showcasing at Canadian Music Week in Toronto), bringing dynamic live performances that contrast dark songwriting with humor and a knack for creative storytelling.
Despite the pandemic’s blow to a promising start in 2020 (opening for Hollow Coves and Harrison Storm in SF’s Noise Pop Festival in Feb) EllaHarp built 40K followers on Instagram, 20K on Facebook, and over 2 million streams since COVID. She performed in Seattle Hempfest 2020 and her track ‘Time’ can be heard on popular Netflix show ‘Emily in Paris’.
Ella Harp
Folk-pop, Americana
BA in Scottish Music (harp and Gaelic song) from the RCS (formerly RSAMD) in Glasgow, Scotland
Designed / made both instruments to fit in the overhead bin of an airplane
SF Chronicle article and cover of the Ventura County Reporter 2018
Opened for Grammy winning singer Mya in San Diego venue Music Box 2018
Candian Music Week official showcase 2019
SF Noise Pop festical performance 2020
Seattle Hempfest performance 2020
Original song 'Time' placed in Netflix 'Emily in Paris' S1 E2
2021 album played 85+ radio stations, NACC Top 30 Folk, the AMA top 200 and the FAI Top Albums Oct and Nov 2021
“Blues-tinged bass lines and drones depart from the celestial plucks and swirls typically associated with her ancient instrument…understated, intimate vocals are set off by the rhythmic snap and resonance of her harp strokes”
“EllaHarp’s supple, seductive voice slithers its way through and around her exquisite mad harp skills to brew up some serious voodoo magic.”
“As far as we can remember, there has never been an artist who has taken the harp and re-imagined it in such a refreshing and dynamic way”
“Celestial and elegant, attached to an angel’s hip, the harp is an instrument of the ether. Until Ella Dawn Jenkins brings it right back down to earth”
“Such a different, really really cool, inspired bluesy rock artist with a harp. I mean, what is not to love”
