New Tru Thoughts family member Ego Ella May is set to drop an album next month.

The release titled ‘So Far’ is an anthology of everything she has recorded in her career up till now and sees Ego Ella May exploring the importance of honesty and speaking from the heart.

Appearing throughout the 10-track record alongside Wu-Lu and Budgie, the LP also features the likes of Mini D, IAMNOBODI, Warren XcInce and Siv.

The South Londoner has an all-encompassing love of music, which she channels into her neo-soul and contemporary jazz compositions; “music is freeing, healing and all things good and I’m here for it”.

You signed to Tru Thoughts last year. Seems like a perfect fit, tell us how that came about?

I met with Robert (Luis) who heads up Tru Thoughts when he came to London last year over the summer. I’d known about the label for a while so was up for meeting and hearing more about them, then a few months later I took a trip to Brighton for the day to visit the label in their office, and we went from there! They are really lovely people, and I guess that’s what drew me to them in the first place.

How did you form your music style?

By being a listener. I love music in general, so it comes from listening to a lot of different styles of music and then turning it into something of my own. I also read a lot so I quite like being able to tell stories in song form.

Which artists have been your biggest inspirations, and how have they influenced your music?

Stevie Wonder and Nina Simone.

Stevie: He is just a genius, and everyone knows that! There isn’t anything new under the sun I can praise Stevie for that you don’t already know, but he is probably the reason why I REEEEEEEEEEEALLY wanted to sing. His music excites me a lot.

Nina: She is the truth. Her music means a whole lot to me. I don’t think she’s usually regarded as the best singer around but has a really unique, distinctive tone and her phrasing is really beautiful. The emotion she puts into her songs and performances is something special, and of course her activism stands out to me.

Tell us about your growth as a producer and writer over the past few years? What fuels your creativity?

I wouldn’t call myself a producer, but my writing stems from lots of observing, reading and meditation. I see things clearer now, and it really frees up a lot of space so I can write better.

What are you working on at the moment?

My album and becoming a better friend and more conscious human being overall.

I noticed on your Instagram that you read a lot of books. What are you reading at the moment?

I’m reading a novel called ‘A Little Life’ by Hanya Yanagihara.

Three things we should know about Ego Ella May…

I’m left-handed, I HATE parties, I am not the Ella Mai who sings “Boo’d up” 🙂

Are there any gigs planned after the release of the album?

Yes, should be from October onwards.

Any last words to the Twistedsoul community?

“This above all: to thine own self be true” – be yourself!