rise people – Elizabeth Knights-Ward

With her distinctive soulful sound, 22-year-old Elizabeth Knight-Ward (aka Lizzyspit) is fast gaining a loyal fan base and last month she released her first single Laura’s Diary

Above: Elizabeth Knights-Ward

Audio

• Laura's Diary

Name: Elizabeth Knights-Ward

Occupation: Singer/Songwriter

Lives: Clapham (though she’s recently realised it’s actually Brixton)

Elizabeth Knight-Ward is too cumbersome for stage and this was my dad’s nickname for me when I was younger – I had a really bad lisp when I was learning to talk as a two-year-old and used to spray things rather than say them!

It was while I was being taught operatic warbling that I realized classical just didn’t suit me. That's when I decided to teach myself guitar instead. My father plays and I was in awe of him.

I remember one song called ‘Lead me far away’ which I wrote about a boy who I liked in my year at school. Oh God, I can barely say it without cringing even now!

I set up my own record label because I feel that if you want something bad enough you have to go out and get it. It’s also teaching me about running a business and it means I’m completely independent. Unfortunately, it does mean Laura’s Diary has to be a download-only single as I can't afford to make cds, which is a shame as I love record stores and don’t want them to die out.

I hated it to begin with but people loved it and so I had to keep playing it. Over time I’ve come to love it as well and am really excited about it as a single.

I’m starting to concentrate on my album now which is due out later in the year and which I’ll be recording in my bedroom. I've got a great recording desk so I can save money without affecting quality.

One. Just one friend turned up and had a personal concert. It was very…er…intimate. Ha! It was a real low, but things have thankfully picked up since then and I’ve got quite a good following. Much of that has come from myspace which is pretty essential to any emerging artist. You can listen to music on my page and download it for a small fee.

I played there in April and it was the first time none of my friends turned up so it was an audience entirely of strangers which was quite intimidating – but even more rewarding when you win them over.

When I’m on stage and have this twitch in my leg, but I find if I sit down I can use that twitch as a rhythm counter. Also, I used not to have a strap for my guitar so I always had to sit down and rest it on my knee. When I finally got a strap I tried standing to play but by then it felt awkward.

Because I sound nothing like her. That’s not to say she not good but her songs are about her accent and completely different.

They’ve mostly been complimentary and that’s been great but there was one which wasn’t and I really took it to heart. It can really affect you and I wanted to go and have it out with the reviewer. I guess it’s something that you have to get used to. I still want to meet the guy though...

www.myspace.com/lizzyspit

www.indiestore.com/lizzyspit