Locals Only: Ella Ion

Craving nothing more than connection, Ella Ion has spent 2025 throwing stones of vulnerability, sending ripples of bare-all honesty across the globe. Here, the singer-songwriter reflects on touring, truth-telling, and celebrating SA’s music community with Hyde & Seek.

Interview Millah Hansberry // Image Izzie Austin

You’ve had such a wild and wonderful year in 2025, touring across the UK, EU and Australia. What have been your favourite memories across this process?

There’s been so many. Playing in Amsterdam supporting Jake Bugg was a real pinch-me moment. It was in this gorgeous forest, and I just spent the whole day frolicking around, and then played in this massive amphitheatre to around 1,000 people. It was a really cool way to start off the tour.

What does it mean to be a touring artist today, especially as an emerging act from Adelaide?

It’s definitely really hard, going from a normal person that has a job, to waking up every day, getting on a flight at 6am and having to find your bearings in a new city. It can be quite overwhelming. There’s not a lot of money in touring, and at this level, you tend to be spending more than you’re making. But it makes you value grasping that moment and being like, “Okay, I’ve got this opportunity. I’ve got to do everything in my power to make it work”. I think people don’t realise that all the glamour of it is only what you see on social media, and it’s not the reality.

Among your travels, you’ve shared stages with Suki Waterhouse, Greg Mendez, Folk Bitch Trio, Big Sleep, and many more greats. Do you feel your voice or artistic identity has been shaped through those experiences?

I’ve definitely been very inspired by Folk Bitch Trio in terms of their level of professionalism and preparation in their performance. They’re so on point that their harmonies are amazing. Greg Mendez and V, who he was touring with, had such a cool setup. It was such a stripped-back thing, just those two, but it was so full and beautiful. They had the crowd absolutely on strings, just the power of sheer songwriting. That inspired me as they’d found an arrangement that was easy, but also really got the message across.

Listening to your music feels a bit like reading someone’s diary. Is writing music a safe space for you, or do you find it difficult to share at times?

Writing music is probably the main place where I can get my thoughts and feelings out on paper. Having the music behind it helps me to emotionally process what something means to me. I can be a little oversharing and personal in my music, but I think that connects with people.

Is connection a driving force for what you do?

Connection is 100% a driving force. I’m always trying to understand people and feel understood by people. When I’m playing a gig where I don’t know people, I like playing songs that bare little parts of my soul, as this quick way to be able to be known. It makes me feel less alone and I think it makes other people feel less alone. Music is made for connection.

Tell us about your latest single, ‘Looking for Nothing’.

It’s about coming out of a time of feeling like you’ve been trying to know everything. About feeling a little bit trapped and having to wait for your sense of purpose and conviction to come back to you. It’s a bit of a sad, slow-burn song, but that’s where I feel at home.

As well as overseas, you’ve been dominating in Australia too, playing BIGSOUND, Space Jams, and securing four South Australian Music Award nominations. How has this felt?

So good. Playing Big Sound was obviously so fun. We played five shows in three days, which was a lot. I had my beautiful band with me and they just supported me so well – Ricky Albeck, Stu Patterson, Tom Johnston and Lucinda Machin. Having their moral support, as well as their insane musicianship was such a beautiful experience. Space Jams is my favourite festival in the world. It was really special, having my friends around me after being away for so long. The SA Music Awards nominations just are so lovely. I feel really honoured. It just means a lot to feel held up by your community.

At the end of next month, you’re playing Hyde & Seek, a free street festival celebrating South Australian artists. What can people expect from an Ella Ion set?

This will be a band show. I think it’s going to be with Ricky and Stu, so that means rock and roll, baby!

See Ella Ion at Hyde & Seek Street Festival on November 29, alongside 15 South Australian acts. Entry is free.

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