Ben Ellis // TikTok Busking, Cardiff Castle & Mum's Protein Flapjacks
Ben Ellis went from busking on TikTok Live to supporting Sir Tom Jones at Cardiff Castle. With Time Slows On Tour rolling across the UK and Europe, he talks the new EP, flying the flag for Welsh music and the night his guitarist's gear stayed in Cardiff.
You're heading into the Time Slows On Tour with The Train Where the Time Slows as the soundtrack. Has being on the road changed how you see the EP now that these songs are living in a completely different environment from the studio?
BENIt's so interesting because this EP really feels so deeply personal, but also that thing where artists say songs aren't theirs anymore once they're out is true. When I'm performing I always feel like if I let myself feel the emotion then the performance gets lost a little. So I'm always just trying to perfect my stage presence more than anything. I had my moment with the songs, they really helped me during that time, so I just hope they can do the same for others.
The Train Where the Time Slows feels like a pretty fitting title for something you're taking on tour. If you could freeze one moment from this tour so far and keep it forever, what would it be?
BENThe whole set is going to be something I'm going to want to live in forever! Live music is one of the main reasons I do this thing. I genuinely couldn't think of anything I want to do more than perform. The show is called "Time Slows On Tour" because I wanted the crowd to have a moment where they can escape from the outside world for a little. The set flows so well and I couldn't be more excited for people to hear it.
"Still Be Friends" and "When It Ends" have become two of the standout tracks from the new EP. What do those songs mean to you now compared with when you first wrote them?
BENThose two were probably my favourite songs to write and record. I mean, hearing the drums in the studio for "When It Ends" for the first time will be something I'll remember forever. I think they're the ones in the set that I look forward to most because the crowd loves them too. So honestly nothing's really changed too much with those. I still have so much fun with them.
You've spoken about "Where She Goes" being a particularly emotional song for you, even saying that performing it live makes you nervous. Has playing it night after night changed your relationship with the song at all?
BENYeah, I'm definitely the most proud of that one. Just because I think it encapsulated my emotions at that time. I never really think I'd been able to do that before. I wouldn't say I feel nervous anymore, but maybe I just really want people to love that one. It's always going to be the climax of the set.
You started out posting covers online, and now you're taking your own music around Europe and the UK. What's been the strangest part of watching people go from discovering you through a cover to knowing the words to your own songs?
BENMy career started on TikTok Live! I would go busking in the day and stream that, and then go home and stream in the evening. I think young me would pass out if he saw what I was doing now. I guess the strangest part is just how quickly it feels like it's happened, no matter how hard I tried to prepare myself for it.
Social media has obviously played a huge role in building your audience, but you've also created a proper community around your music. How intentional have you been about making Ben Ellis feel like more than just an artist people listen to?
BENHonestly I feel like my unique selling point has been the people around me. I have a team of people who are really devoted to going above and beyond for "Ben Ellis". Sometimes I have no idea why. I think we really care about the quality of everything we do. I want the fans to see how grateful we are for their support. We're always trying to find ways to give back, and I think that can be seen in stuff like the merch. There's so much more to Ben Ellis than me.
You're Welsh through and through, and you've also started PLUCK to help champion other Welsh artists. What is it about the Welsh music scene that makes you so passionate about giving other musicians a platform?
BENI've had so much support from the Welsh music community. I'm desperate to help contribute myself. I feel like the only way is up for Welsh music. We are an underdog nation, but we always come together to showcase our passion and pride. I want to do my bit to wave the flag, and PLUCK was definitely the start of that. I really hope I can keep that going at some point. I just really think it is the right time for Wales to take the stage, and I want to be a part of that.
You've already supported Tom Jones at Cardiff Castle — a pretty ridiculous sentence to be able to put on a CV. When you eventually get the chance to headline that same venue, what do you think will be going through your head as you walk onto that stage?
BENI like the way you've worded this question! Headlining Cardiff Castle really is the dream for me. If it happens then I'll be the most grateful boy on the planet, but honestly, to have supported Sir Tom at that venue may have already been the thing I will cherish forever.
Your music has grown from the early Ed's House material through The Hollywood EP and now The Train Where the Time Slows. Do you feel like you're still figuring out what a "Ben Ellis song" sounds like, or do you think you've finally found your sound?
BENThere's always room for growth. I will be inspired by new things and keep releasing music that feels true to me, but I do really think I've figured out who I am in this past project. These last three EPs have just been me growing up, and I think you can hear that in the music. I'm not sure if there's a "Ben Ellis" sound, but I have definitely found the confidence in being true to myself.
You've got a pretty busy few months ahead. When you eventually get a minute to step off the road and look back at everything that's happened in 2026, what would make you think, "Yeah, that was the year everything changed"?
BENIf everything changes, or nothing happens past this point, I still would have done it. That's a pretty good way to look at it. I'm going to keep working as hard as I can to make my dreams a reality, but if this is it and it doesn't get any better than this, I've had a hell of a run. I'm going to make sure that it isn't the end of the road though.
The Quickfire Round
One song you wish you'd written?
BENLandslide — Fleetwood Mac.
Best song to play ridiculously loud in the car?
BENHowdon Aldi Death Queue — Sam Fender.
Best Welsh artist we should all be listening to right now?
BENToo many to count, I'm gonna give you a top three: Hannah Grae, Dirty Blonde and Wrkhouse.
Favourite city to play?
BENCardiff, hometown. Cymru am byth.
Best tour bus snack?
BENMy guitarist Ellis loves my mum's protein flapjacks.
One artist you'd love to support?
BENHarry Styles.
One artist you'd love to have support you?
BENMillichamp is currently supporting us on tour. They're unreal and I can't wait to watch them every night.
Most chaotic thing that's happened on tour?
BENWe realised my guitarist had left all his gear in Cardiff when we got to our venue in Belgium, 20 minutes before the show.
Guilty pleasure song?
BENThe entire High School Musical soundtrack.
Your ultimate festival slot: opening, sunset or headline?
BENSunset, any day of the week.
If you could only play one song from The Train Where the Time Slows live forever, which one?
BENTough, but "Where She Goes".
Cardiff Castle headline: dream venue or inevitable?
BENI'll let you decide...
And finally... Ben Ellis in three words?
BENTranspersonal, community, (has really fun) shows.
"If this is it and it doesn't get any better than this, I've had a hell of a run." Ben doesn't think it's the end of the road — and on this evidence, neither do we.
Where to find Ben Ellis
Follow them before they get too big to reply to your comments.