From Country Nights to City Lights and Writing All About it:

Cape York’s singer/songwriter Ella Hartwig blends her folk roots with a hint of country and a twist of pop. 

Hailing from Cooktown, Far North Queensland (Australia), Ella’s musical journey began in her early years and quickly garnered international recognition for her songwriting talent. For songs she wrote at the age of thirteen, she had already earned two Queensland Music Award nominations. 

At the cusp of adulthood, Ella made a pivotal move from the remote Far North to the City of Brisbane, determined to expand her artistic horizons. Now, she’s releasing singles from her debut Country/Folk album, with her latest track, "Fields of Gold," debuting on August 9, 2024, offering a sneak peek into her evolving sound. 

In 2022, Ella took a bold step, moving nearly 2,000 kilometres from her hometown to pursue a full-time music career at just nineteen. Having performed since the age of twelve, she has shared stages with some of Australia’s most prominent artists, including Neil Murray, Kim Churchill, Ash Grunwald, Boo Seeka, Full Flower Moon Band, and the beloved Black Image Band and Roadtrippers from her hometown region.

After launching her first single at age fifteen, Ella released her debut EP in 2019, supported by Arts Queensland, which earned her further acclaim, including multiple Queensland Music Award nominations and other songwriting wins for tracks like "Can’t Ask You to Stay" and "Staged Reality." Further wins include snagging a spot in Listen Up’s Semi-Final Songwriting Competition for “Backup” in 2024, and a slot as a finalist in the Gympie Music Muster’s Mothertone Talent Search. 

Best known for her breakout country single, "Western Star," Ella gained widespread attention, leading to her music video being featured on Country Music Television, a partnership with Daimler Trucks, and a video premiere on Scenestr Magazine. With over 300,000 music streams and more than 780,000 social media uses, her music continues to resonate widely.

Described by Scenestr magazine as possessing an "earthy, powerful, robust voice that instantly captures your attention… surging like a storm-ravaged river," Ella’s sound is often compared to the likes of Missy Higgins and Melissa Etheridge. Her influences range from Paul Kelly and Vance Joy to Sam Fender, but it’s her unique style and deeply emotional lyrics that truly set her apart, creating an intimate connection with her listeners.

“I’ve always been captivated by lyrics and music. My inspiration comes from the world around me, and songwriting is my way of connecting with people,” Ella says.

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