Singer Elliot Porter brings to life ballad penned by nine-year-old schoolgirl Rosie
A 10-year-old schoolgirl has teamed up with Sawbridgeworth singer Elliot Porter to record her first attempt at songwriting.
Constellations, which will be launched at a special release concert in Saffron Walden on Friday November 15, is the result of their collaboration.
Rosie Porter, who is no relation to Elliot, wrote the track for fun when she was nine. When mum Ruth discovered it on her electronic notepad, proud dad Martin was bowled over. He said: “It took us by total surprise.”
Martin, a professional music photographer, showed it to musician friends, including international artists, “who were amazed by the level of songwriting skill and the themes”. However, he already had Elliot in mind to bring it to life.
The Bish Bash Stortford Music Festival and Bishop’s Stortford Acoustic Club favourite took the track away and put it to music, but apart from “tweaking the odd line” it remains Rosie’s creation.
The demo became a “fully fleshed-out, heartfelt ballad” with the help of producer-musician Steve MacLachlan and singer Phoebe Austin.
Elliot told the Indie: “This is a concept I haven’t undertaken before, but one that’s been highly fruitful as we’ve come up with a great song.
“Rosie’s lyrics were quite frankly stunning for someone of her age, and it was relatively straightforward to craft a song once I’d understood the concept.
“The flow was there and the feeling – all I had to do was bring it to life and tweak a few lyrics, adding in only one or two of my own for creative purposes and to make certain parts of the song really hit home.”
Rosie, who rattled off her masterpiece in 30 minutes before recording a first draft on her mobile, shared the song with her friends at Katherine Semar Junior School in Saffron Walden before her parents spotted it.
She is learning to play the violin and drums, but songwriting is a new departure. She would love her favourite performer, Eurovision star Sam Ryder, to hear her song.
Martin said: “I got her in the photo pit while I was working, photographing him at Heritage Live Audley End, and her face when he came on stage was pure joy.”
He added that his daughter, who stars in the video for Constellations, was relaxed about being in the spotlight.
“Rosie takes it all in her stride,” he said. “Having been around musicians all her life, she doesn’t take it as anything abnormal.”
Rosie, a keen artist and reader, also enjoys space and fossils. Martin said: “When asked, she wants to be a geologist or scientist. But she’d also like to be a musician.”
Tickets for the release concert at Fairycroft House in Walden on November 15 cost £6. Doors open at 7.30pm.
