SING

1) to utter words or sounds in succession with musical modulations of the voice
2) to perform a song or voice composition
3) to produce melodious sounds, usually high in pitch
4) to compose poetry
5) to tell about or praise someone or something in verse or song

Back in December, I managed to convince my sisters to buy Ellie Goulding with me. Although they didn't listen to much of her music, and I did barely more than they -- I still thought it would a fun concert for us to attend, just us sisters. 

Over the coming months, I started to listen to Ellie more and more -- and getting beyond excited. Little did I know, my sisters were starting to feel the same way! There is something special about the quality of her artistry, something unique about her vocal range, and something praiseworthy about the variety of her songs. And, she has been popping up everywhere in the last few months: the Catching Fire soundtrack, the Diverget soundtrack, my Nike+ running app -- you name it!

Fast-forward to concert day -- my sisters met me downtown for happy hour at Dragonfish (yummy! and they have a great happy hour menu) then headed out to the theater. The balcony seats at the Paramount were general admission, so we knew we were going to have to stand in line (in the rain) in order to get good seats. Once the doors opened, we quickly rushed to the balcony where my sister snagged us front-row balcony seats! 

Ellie Goulding is one of the BEST performers I have seen (besides Macklemore, of course)! I was blown away at how captivating she is and how this petite 5' 5" girl commanded the theater with even the tiniest gesture. She sang, she told stories, she played drums and guitar, but most importantly she shared her music with us. Her performance was raw and it was real. At times she invited us to jump around and dance with her, and at other points we sat at the edge of our seats with tears in our eyes as she opened her heart. It you have the opportunity to see her -- YOU MUST!

Truth be told, I haven't been able to stop listening to her since her concert. Every time I go running, I am shuffling through her music (both of my last 10ks have been fuled by Elllie) and at work I am stuck on my Ellie Goulding Pandora station. Maybe her illuminati tricks have gotten to me (ha!), or perhaps she simply possesses a voice that was created to SING.