WHILE many teenagers dream of becoming a pop star, one Oxford singer is actually doing it.

She may enjoy hanging out with friends, shopping for clothes and watching her favourite TV shows, but 19 year-old Ella Martini is no ordinary music-lover.

The former Abingdon College student is being tipped as the ‘next big thing’ – and she has the talent to prove it.

After a summer of playing live, Ella, from Eynsham Road, Botley, is headlining her own hometown show at the Art Bar.

Tonight’s show is well on its way to selling out, and will see the dynamic singer-songwriter treating fans to a set of her own soulful pop and a handful of ‘mash-up’ cover versions of hits.

Ella, a former pupil of Bartholomew School, in Eynsham, is the daughter of half-Italian zumba instructor George Martini, and admits she has always dreamed of being a star.

“Music is a big part of me,” she said. “I’m happiest when writing, performing and being listened to.

“I started off doing this in school and have been getting on stage since I was 15, so I feel that I’m ready for all the things that are happening now. But I am still finding and shaping my sound and performing more and more of my own songs.”

Earning her break at just 15, after getting through to the finals of the UK Live and Unsigned contest, Ella has already played hundreds of shows, including support slots for chart-topping singer and Clean Bandit collaborator Jess Glynne, dance-pop singer-songwriter MNEK, and Nizlopi’s Luke Concannon.

In July she made her debut at the county’s Truck music festival, in Steventon, and joined the bill for Sam Smith’s Summer Series show at London’s Somerset House. She was also selected by the MOBO Awards for the final of their UnSung Competition.

Her debut single You was played on BBC Radio 1, and her follow-up, the double single Dealing With This and Story, was premiered on BBC Radio 1xtra.

She says: “I love it when people say I’m doing really well, but I feel I’m just starting out. I’ve passed some fantastic milestones but there are millions more I want to reach. You’re always going to have things that hold you back. But if you know where you want to go you shouldn’t let anything stop you.”

She encouraged gig-goers to join the fun at tonight’s show.

“It will be a great night with a whole new set, including three new songs which I have never performed before. Playing live is when I feel most comfortable and happy as that’s how I started off.”

Ella Martini plays the Art Bar, Cowley Road, today. Tickets £5 from transmissionmusicgroup.com

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