Getting To Know: Dorothy Ella

With her infectious blend of sparkly funk, soul, and unstoppable energy, Dorothy Ella is rapidly becoming the UK’s newest groove sensation. As the summer heat blazes on, Dorothy is set to dazzle her final festivals of the season, including Glow Fest and FYA Festival, before diving into an exciting new collaboration single with Gordon Parma this September. Known for her powerful vocals that channel the likes of Aretha Franklin and Jade Bird, Dorothy’s 2024 has been nothing short of electric—culminating in a show-stopping performance at Y Not? Festival. Now, as she gears up for the festive season, Dorothy is ready to spread even more musical sunshine.

 1. Your music has captivated listeners, with BBC 6 Music's Honor Morrison praising the combination of your voice and guitar. How do you approach pairing your vocals with your instrumentation to create such a powerful impact?

I’m very lucky to have worked with some amazing friends and musician that understand my sound and have similar music tastes. I think a great producer also helps to develop your sound.  I’ve loved working with Natt Webb from RatCat studios who has been there since day 1 of my recording journey and is great and complimenting guitar tones to serve the song. I also take influences from other artists tracks who I admire such as Dua Lipa, Jade Bird and Sophie Ellis-Bextor. It’s important to make a sound that is genuine to yourself so combining all the sounds that you’ve grown up with and love I think creates something familiar and unique to you. 

 2. You've played at some incredible festivals like Y Not? and Hockley Hustle, and you have a few more lined up this summer. How does performing at festivals influence your energy and connection with the audience?

Festivals are my favourite!! I can’t quite explain the energy that a festival brings but they have definitely been a key influence on the direction I’ve taken with my music. People are already in the mindset to party to its great to experience that with them. It’s my dream to get everyone involved, singing, dancing and feeling like they’re reliving their year 6 disco! I love feeling part of something so if I can do that for an audience, it shows the power and beauties of music. For me, festivals make me feel free and surrounded by friends so I love bringing that energy to my performances and music. 

3. You're collaborating with Gordon Parma on a new single set to release in September. Can you give us a sneak peek into what we can expect from this collaboration and how it came about?

I met Gordon at a jam night in Birmingham called Neighbourhood and he asked to write with me back in January. I was honoured because he’s a great musician and artist. Our styles are very different so it’s been fab creating something completely new to what I’m used to writing. The songs we’ve created are very soulful and I love how our voices work together. Our influences overlap with Tom Misch, Matt Corby and Lianne La Havas so expect a mash up of those!

4. Your Christmas single ‘Christmas What?!’ was a hit last year. What inspired you to create a festive track, and do you have any plans to release another holiday song this year?

‘Christmas What?!’ was lots of fun and was came about while having some festive fun with my friend Joe Lammond. We joked about writing a Christmas song - and ‘Christmas What?!’ was born!! Christmas for me is all about bringing people together and spreading joy so I wrote this silly funky song to make people smile. I haven’t got any more holiday songs on the cards this year but I will definitely be bringing ‘Christmas What?!’ back to life and spreading Christmas cheer by singing loud for all to hear!

 5. You've had significant support from BBC Introducing, including multiple track features and live sessions. How has this platform helped shape your career, and what advice would you give to emerging artists looking to get noticed?

I’m very grateful for all of the support I’ve received from BBC introducing with Dean Jackson and also from Martyn Williams who hosted the evening show on BBC Derby. It’s been a great platform to get noticed on and has allowed me to be noticed by other radio shows, venues and artists. Not only this, BBC introducing has given me the opportunity to play some of the best shows of my life!! My advice would be to keep going and make friends along the way, the music industry is very up and down so embrace the chaos. Support other local artists, we are all stronger when we’re together - music is a community not a competition. Also enjoy and believe in yourself!