Elena Jane "Ellie" Goulding (born on 30 December 1986)[1] is an English singer-songwriter and guitarist. She rose to fame after topping the BBC Sound of 2010 poll and winning the Critics Choice Award at the 2010 BRIT Awards. After signing to Polydor Records in 2009, Goulding released her first extended play, An Introduction to Ellie Goulding, followed by her debut full-length studio album, Lights, in 2010.
Signed to Polydor Records in September 2009, her debut single "Under the Sheets" was released on independent label Neon Gold Records rather than Polydor so that she would not be put under too much pressure. Premiered on BBC Radio 1 on 30 September 2009, it has since gained heavy airplay. It was released digitally in the United Kingdom on 15 November 2009 and peaked at number fifty-three on the UK Singles Chart.
In October 2009 she toured the UK supporting Little Boots, and on 30 October 2009 performed "Under the Sheets" and "Guns and Horses" as a guest on Later... with Jools Holland.
She collaborated with Frankmusik on "Wish I Stayed"?which was featured as the Single of the Week on the UK iTunes Store from 22?28 December 2009?and provided vocals for the Starsmith remix of Passion Pit's "Sleepyhead".
Her career really took off after her performance at the St John's College May Ball 20.
Prior to the release of her debut studio album, it was announced that Goulding topped the BBC Sound of 2010 poll, which showcases the critics, broadcasters and music industry insiders' top choices for rising stars and artists for the coming year. She also won the Critics' Choice Award at the 2010 BRIT Awards which makes her the second artist to win both the poll and win the Critic's Choice award in the same year, after Adele won both awards two years previous.
Goulding's debut album, entitled Lights, was through Polydor on 1 March 2010, preceded by its second single, "Starry Eyed", which was released 22 February 2010. For the majority of the album, Goulding worked with English producer Starsmith. It reached number one in the UK Albums Chart and number twelve in the Irish Albums Chart in March 2010. "Guns and Horses" was released as the album's third single released on 17 May 2010.
Alongside the release of her debut album, Goulding co-wrote a song with George Astasio, Gabriella Cilmi, Jason Pebworth and Jon Shave for Cilmi's album, Ten, titled "Love Me Cos You Want To". She also co-wrote three songs for Diana Vickers' debut album titled "Remake Me + You", "Notice" and "Jumping Into Rivers" (all three co-written with Vickers and Guy Sigsworth).
Goulding is currently embarking on her Lights Tour in the United Kingdom, accompanied by support act Primary 1. She will also be supporting John Mayer on his British tour in May 2010. She is expected to perform at numerous music festivals across the United Kingdom including V Festival 2010.
Goulding was named one of Shred News's '10 Artists to Watch in 2010'
