“I Never Told You About Oregon’ is one of
those songs that is universally understood and felt and it’ll be one she plays, no doubt, for years and years….” Andrew Frolish, Americana UK

‘A new talent to watch.’ - FATEA

“...she was every bit as good as I knew she would be, delivering a multi-instrumental set of striking songs” - Paul Sexton

'Warning Signs' is the new single from up-and-coming British-American singer-songwriter Ella Spencer, co-produced by Jerry Joseph and Steve Drizos at The Panther studio in Portland, Oregon. Ella kicks off 2025 with the release of the second single from the Panther sessions, followed by a debut showcase at the UK Americana Music Association’s Americana Week in January before heading to Montreal for Folk Alliance in February.

Ella is a singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist raised in the English countryside and now based in London. She draws on her British-American heritage and upbringing, which she spent hanging around at the UK's first Americana festival, creating a fusion of Indie and Roots music. 

Accompanying herself on piano, guitar and occasionally banjo, her unique voice and distinctive songs have enchanted many at the UK's Americana hotspots and festival stages across the UK and US. 

'Warning Signs' evokes the imagery and folklore of the English countryside while musically resting on the tradition of American roots music. Full of foreboding amplified by the watery high notes of Ella's piano and the blues-infused fingerpicking of Jerry Joseph, the song laments the gift of hindsight: 'only hindsight sees the warning signs'. 

"I wrote this song sitting in the sun while I was visiting family in Los Angeles and was surprised when it came out as a moody folk song that describes the English countryside where I grew up. Lyrically, this song is less consciously personal than others, and I enjoy hearing interpretations of it which have ranged from reflecting on the end of a relationship to climate change."

Welsh painter Billy Bagilhole created the single artwork. Best known for his abstract Western imagery, his style proved a perfect fit for Ella's Americana roots. Spoiler alert - she also has a tattoo done by him!

Born in London and raised by British-American parents in the Suffolk countryside, Ella grew up surrounded by musicians after her father started the UK's first Americana festival. She spent her school years studying classical piano and viola, but her early twenties saw her move to London and gravitate towards the music she was raised on. Hanging around the festival from an early age she sat in with the likes of Terra Lightfoot, Andrew Duhon and, more recently, Jerry Joseph, she then began to develop her own style and venture out on her own. 

The first track from the Panther sessions, 'I Never Told You About Oregon', was released on October 3rd to a sold-out launch at London's Green Note. The second single, 'Warning Signs,' is set to be released on January 17th and kicks off an exciting new chapter in Ella's story.

Credits:

Ella Spencer: acoustic guitar / piano / vocals

Jerry Joseph: resonator guitar  /backing vocals

Steve Drizos: percussion / synths / electric guitar

Produced by Steve Drizos and Jerry Joseph

Recorded and Mixed by Steve Drizos at The Panther, Portland, OR

Mastered by Jon Neufeld at Treehouse Mastering, Portland, OR

https://ellaspencermusic.com/live/