ELLUR
TMN EXCLUSIVE
Ella McNamara — a.k.a. Ellur — on Confidence, Creation, and Not Giving Up
Hit “Play” to watch the full interview with Ellur at SXSW Music Festival 2025. Photo cover by Pablo Herrera for TMN®.
At the British Music Embassy during SXSW 2025, TMN® founder Pablo Herrera met British artist Ella McNamara (Ellur) for what became one of those rare conversations that sound both spontaneous and intentional. Under the Texas sun and surrounded by energy from hundreds of live acts, Ellur spoke about something more internal — the quiet work of understanding herself through music.
AUSTIN, TX. Written by Pablo Herrera
Ellur’s honesty is refreshing. While many artists talk about success or image, she seems driven by curiosity. Her songs are a dialogue with her own emotions — experiences she wants to process, moments she wants to understand. “A lot of my lyrics are about things I wish I could change, or feelings that I’ve had,” she explains. “I’d say my target audience is anyone who’s struggling internally and just needs an outlet.”
For Ellur, creating isn’t about perfection. It’s about transformation.
“When I can finally get something out and turn it into words, I feel confident,” she says. “Validated within myself. I’ve made this cool thing out of something that happened to me — that’s where my confidence comes from.”
Ellur at SXSW 2025. Photo by Pablo Herrera for TMN®. Tap to enlarge pictures.
That creative self-validation has carried her far. She just finished recording her first full album, a project she describes as her proudest work to date. “I’m less scared of people not liking it,” she admits. “I’m more excited. I don’t really mind if people like it or not, because I really like it.”
Her clarity is disarming — and rare.
In a world obsessed with metrics and visibility, Ellur has shifted her perspective. “If you’d asked me a few years ago, I would have said I wanted to be really famous,” she laughs. “But now it’s more about doing what makes me feel fulfilled. Whether that’s to a hundred people or ten thousand, it doesn’t really matter.”
Ellur’s story also carries the persistence of someone who grew up surrounded by music. “My dad’s a musician, and my mum has incredible taste,” she recalls. “Music has always been home. And I don’t think you should ever give up on your dreams.” It’s a statement that feels simple, but in her voice it’s more like a quiet conviction — one that pushes her to keep going even when the industry feels uncertain.
“Creating is what keeps me going,” she says. “That’s the thing that sets me on fire.”
Ellur at SXSW 2025. Photo by Pablo Herrera for TMN®. Tap to enlarge pictures.
Her honesty extends to the challenges of being a woman in music. “A lot of the time people don’t take you seriously,” she says. “I’ve had to fight to be heard. But I think that drives me — I’ll prove you wrong. I’ll show you I can do this.” There’s no anger in her tone, just resolve — the kind of resilience that defines true creators.
At TMN®, we recognize ourselves in that spirit. Ellur’s words echo what we tell our own young creators: that artistic growth isn’t about being seen, but about daring to make something real. Her music, her voice, and her confidence remind us that creativity is not a performance — it’s a practice of becoming.
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