Ed Sheeran
We meet Ed Sheeran, the young singer-songwriter
ED SHEERAN IS LATE – not due to any diva-ish behaviour, but because he has broken his glasses. “I stepped on them half an hour ago,” he says, apologising profusely. “And I’ve been trying to fix them ever since.”
Such a statement is Sheeran all over – he might be a buzz name in music but he is disarmingly down-to- earth. Asked for his influences, he points to disbanded group Nizlopi (the one-hit wonders behind the JCB Song) rather than any major stars. Only 19, Sheeran had an early start in the music business – born and brought up in Ipswich, the ginger-haired cat-lover started playing the guitar as a kid and wrote his first song by 13. “It was the typical ‘I’m a normal teen, do you know what I mean’ stuff,” recalls Sheeran, wincing.
Nowadays his songs are catchy, classic singer- songwriter fare with wit – and even some beatboxing – that helps them stand out. Backed by his accomplished guitar playing, they take on everything from alienation in the big smoke on The City to the dominance of stage school-educated popstrels on Don’t Tell Me, I Won’t Tell You. “That was written after being told my songs weren’t good enough. It was a middle finger up at the people who said that, basically.”
Those particular music execs might soon be eating their words. Although Sheeran remains unsigned, the hype around him is growing. Playing 300 gigs in a year has brought Sheeran a word-of-mouth following, with over 10,000 friends on MySpace. “If you do gigs and people see you and they like you, they’re more likely to buy your music,” he reasons. “I sell ten times as many CDs out of a rucksack at gigs than I do on iTunes.”
Those gigs, meanwhile, have taken him to some weird and wonderful places – including Jamie Foxx’s house. Sheeran played a private gig at the Hollywood star’s home after a recording session, and Foxx has become something of a role model. “He’s such a nice guy, all about family,” says Sheeran. “He’s got the money and fame but he’s kept his roots.”
With other celeb fans including Pixie Lott and Elton John and an imminent record deal, Sheeran’s own money and fame are only a matter of time.
Lauren Cochrane
