Friday 13th was a lucky one for Swansea based singer/songwriter ELERI who released her sophomore album ‘The Carnival’.
It features thirteen songs, including nine brand new tracks alongside acclaimed singles ‘Good for a Girl’, ‘Snake Like You’, ‘Live Wire’ and ‘Karaoke’. ELERI has branched out and worked with a brand-new production team that includes Tim Prottey-Jones (First Time Flyers, The Wandering Hearts, Megan McKenna), Kaity Rae (Chelcee Grimes, GIRLI, The Shires) and Millie Blooms (Paige Wolfe, Aiime C, Kayleigh Hughes) who also oversees the album as executive producer under Millie Blooms Productions.
The Welsh siren has also been collaborating with some of Wales’ brightest up and coming stars including EÄDYTH, Millie Blooms and un-heard tracks with Leon Stanford and Paige Wolfe.
Eleri told us…..
“I’ve been pushed creatively so much on this album by everyone involved in the creative process from my fabulous co-writers, producers and my team to make something that challenges my creative abilities and processes. I always want to push myself to be better and on this album I’ve amped up the energy on my country sound infused with rock and pop and made a few fun country party tunes that wouldn’t be out of place at a Rodeo.”
The Carnival is an insight into Eleri’s life over these past 4 years with songs about passion (Livewire, Magic), hope (Every Road, Blue Skies), activism (Good for a Girl), independence (Snake Like You, Heels To Hell), love (Heads I’m Yours) and more. It’s a soundtrack for every moment in your life.
“This album has been a real labour of love, so thank you to everyone who has supported me on the journey so far. It’s a bit cliché to say all these songs are my most personal in-depth journey to my soul so far, and whilst one or two are deeply personal – there’s more songs that are feisty, rockier and really have a dancefloor bop to in your boots and Stetson!”
The announcement completes what has been a remarkable rise into the consciousness of British Country fans these past few years for ELERI. When the global pandemic struck in 2020, the Welsh country star backed herself against the odds by racking up over 500,000 streams for her Country-Pop EP ‘Nightclub Floor’ which was sparked by the hit single ‘Blank Walls’. What followed was consistent national and international radio play on the likes of the A-list on BBC Radio Wales, BBC Introducing, Absolute Country, Country Line Radio and Nashville radio which gained her a brand-new following.
If that wasn’t enough, when live shows were able to happen again ELERI secured slots at some of the biggest festivals in the genre and beyond with appearances at C2C (Country 2 Country), Buckle & Boots, Buck N’ Bull Saloon Weekender, The British Country Music Festival, Wavelength Spring Classic, In It Together Festival, Swansea Air Show, The Royal Welsh show and whole heap more!
The journey to ‘The Carnival’ has seen many stops as this traveling road show of an album has journeyed across the world picking up inspiration and performances in London, Seattle, Manchester, Bristol, Birmingham and Dublin before it makes its grand big opening to the world today.
You can take a listen to the album here…..
Described as “Kacey Musgraves meets London Grammar” by BBC6 Music and “Swansea’s answer to Faith Hill”, ELERI Infuses rock and pop into her country sound. Inspired by a US road trip she draws influences from James Taylor, Miranda Lambert and Taylor Swift, combining traditional country music storytelling with catchy melodies.
Amassing nearly 1,000,000 streams for her work to date; securing international and commercial airplay with frequent spots on Absolute Country Radio, Countryline Radio, BBC Radio Cymru, BBC 6Music, Amazing Radio and multiple A-List slots on BBC Radio Wales, as well as performing at prestigious festivals Glastonbury, Buckle and Boots, and Country 2 Country. Eleri is a unique beacon of talent.
To celebrate the release ELERI will also be headlining her biggest show to date, accompanied by a 6 piece band at one of her home country’s most prestigious venues – Clwb Ifor Bach, Cardiff the day after the album’s release – tomorrow, Saturday 14th October.
Support comes handpicked from Wrexham country starlet Megan Lee and Ollie Dixon who’s indie-ambient folk from the South-West who captivated her at a recent festival they both appeared at. If fans can’t attend the show and want to support ELERI has set up a pay-it-forward option to allow others less fortunate the opportunity of a night out. This is a rare opportunity to hear the brand-new tracks brought fully to life and some old favourites too. It’s unmissable for British Country Music fans.
Tickets are available for tomorrow nights show at Clwb Ifor Bach – HERE, where you can also find out more about the new album and what ELERI has planned over the coming months.
