After 10 years of travelling the world, John Ellis from the band Tree63 has finally settled back in Durban North to pursue a solo career. He chats to Sadie James about his past, present and future
In December 2007, John Ellis and his family arrived in South Africa to spend Christmas with their extended families before starting a sabbatical year in the UK.
“We’d been living and travelling overseas for more than 10 years,” he recalls. “I was completely burnt out. My record deal was complete and I needed a change of scenery, so when we were offered an opportunity to move from the United States to the United Kingdom, we took it. It was closer to South Africa, both in culture and in distance, and although I was homesick I wasn’’t sure if there was a musical future for me in South Africa.”
But only two weeks into their holiday they decided to scrap their plans and stay in Durban. “We just knew this was where we wanted to be,” he grins. “We had missed Durban and a sense of belonging. To cut a long story short, in the space of a few weeks we bought a house, found schools for the children and never looked back. It was crazy but here we are.”
John spent almost a year reflecting on his musical career and in December last year, during a performance at Gateway’s Wavehouse, the members of Tree63 surprised their audience with the announcement that this would be their last official concert. They amicably and quietly went their separate ways. John assures me they remain the best of long-distance friends.
He’s now pursuing a solo career as a performing and recording artist as well as a producer. “I must say I was genuinely surprised and grateful that after all this time people still appreciate my music,” he says. He has spent most of 2009 travelling around South Africa playing new songs he’s written as well as Tree63 favourites. And it appears he has been very well received.
“It was easy to make a living in America,” he says. “I was sceptical about having a successful career in South Africa. But now I would encourage anyone thinking of coming home to just take the risk and do it! This country is so diverse and rewarding and our music scene is just starting to take off. I am very proud to be a South African musician and I hope I can contribute something valuable.”
John recently produced The Pixie Bennett Band’s first EP. “This was a challenging but exciting project. When I heard the first single on the radio I felt as if it were one of my own songs. I was really proud.”
So what does the future hold? “I look forward to recording my first solo album soon but for now I’m just enjoying getting to know South Africa again, finding a new identity for myself and raising my family.”
For more information on John and his upcoming gigs visit www.johnellis.co.za