Meet Elliot James Reay, a young artist who channels the timeless sounds of Elvis Presley, Roy Orbison, and Billy Fury for the present day. After organically building 3 million followers and hundreds of millions of views across social media, Elliot now introduces himself to an even wider audience as he shares his debut single, I Think They Call This Love. The track has generated immense anticipation at socials, with over 10 million views and 650,000 likes of its teasers on TikTok! We caught up with Elliot to learn a little more...

Hi Elliot, How are you?

I’m great; how are you?

I'm great too thanks. For those not in the know, tell us a little about how you got into music.

I grew up listening to all kinds of music, though my taste was always a little bit different! Michael Jackson introduced me to megastars, and Elvis followed! I became obsessed with 50’s and 60’s music, and I was the weird Elvis kid at school. I also enjoyed listening to Billy Fury and Roy Orbison. In my free time, I liked to go out and busk on the streets of Bury town centre, and I thrived on market day—when all the elderly folks would come by and I got to sing my old stuff! At 15, following the Manchester bombing, I tried to help in the only way I could, by singing. In one day, I sang If I Can Dream and busked to raise 2.2k for Liv's trust. I decided then that I was going to try and make music more than just a hobby.

You have just released your debut single; how does that feel?

Releasing my debut single feels absolutely surreal. It has taken a long time to get to this point! To finally share this song with everyone is amazing. I put so much into it. Hearing the positive feedback from fans and seeing people connect with the music is the best feeling in the world.

The single is I Think They Call This Love... Tell us more.

I Think They Call This Love is inspired by all the classic love songs that I love to listen to! It is about being in love for the very first time—and the first realisation of ‘Oh wow, THAT'S what this is!’ My own experiences inspired me, but this feeling is also universal and can apply to love between your partner, family, friends, or pets!

It has a rather old-school feel; who would you say are your key influences?

Obviously, Elvis is one of my influences, but not many people know that Roy Orbison has a massive influence on me; his music and voice connect with me on a different level. I wanted to bring some of that classic, soulful essence into my own work while still making it relevant for today.



How does the sound signify what is to come next?

The sound of this single is definitely a taste of what's to come. I'm really into blending classic influences with modern production, creating something that feels both familiar and new. My upcoming tracks will be similar, each with its own unique story and feel, but all tied together by that signature sound I'm developing.

What are your hopes and ambitions for the single?

My main hope for the single is that it reaches and resonates with people. I want listeners to feel something when they hear it, whether it's nostalgia, excitement, or something entirely else.

Can we expect to hear it live sometime soon?

Absolutely! Performing live is one of my favourite parts of being a musician. I really feel that's where my personality will come through, and I will get to show people who I am!

What else do you have planned for 2024?

2024 is shaping up to be a big year. I plan to keep writing and releasing music, developing my sound, and hopefully touring! It's going to be a busy but thrilling year, and I can't wait to see where the journey takes me.