Social media star soars from Bury to Graceland

Elliot James Reay says he’s “itching to indicate everybody” his new songs after changing into a social media sensation together with his music impressed by the Elvis Presley period.

The 23-year-old from Bury, Better Manchester, has gained tens of millions of followers and lately launched his northern soul music Who Knew Dancing Was A Sin.

It follows gigs “all around the world – simply getting my face in entrance of everybody which was enjoyable”, he advised BBC Radio Manchester.

They included a tour of South East Asia and a “humbling” go to to Presley’s house in Graceland after receiving an award in Memphis within the US.

“It was a extremely eye-opening factor as a result of I had by no means seen Memphis and I had my imaginative and prescient of it,” he says.

“It was higher than I imagined.”

Reay is briefly settling again house after a busy interval performing to giant audiences in Malaysia, Vietnam, Philippines and Indonesia.

“I used to be doing procuring malls and displaying up and hundreds of individuals had been rocking up.”

He is developed a fanbase drawn to his retro-inspired music and says: “I take pleasure in that sound and period however I really feel like that, particularly in South East Asia, they do plenty of karaoke and the karaoke over there may be all of the Nineteen Sixties as much as the 90s.”

He says his “primary factor is touring” with gigs throughout England in July earlier than extra reveals overseas.

“I’ve acquired so many different songs that I am itching to indicate everybody and launch and clearly for my songs which can be out, I simply need to sing over and again and again.

“I need to meet each single person who’s supported me and simply thank them and present some respect as a result of they acquired me the place I’m.”

He’s working together with his workforce on placing out an album, having launched his newest single Who Knew Dancing Was A Sin in Might – impressed by his companion’s mother and father, who’re Northern Soul followers.

“They needed a observe written for his or her nights out they usually stated are you able to write us a Northern Soul model observe.

“We gave it a go and I believe we wrote two songs and Who Knew Dancing Was A Sin was a favorite.

“The principle storyline of it was my companion thinks that I am dishonest on her however truly I am going dancing and she or he’s asking me who’re these folks, who’s Jackie – we’re referencing Jackie Wilson there who’s most likely one of many greats of the scene for those who like.

“I believe it simply had an all-round good message that you would be able to go and have a superb day out dancing and you do not have to inform anybody.”

He says he tried to provide the strikes “a superb crack” for the video however discovered it “a frightening factor as a result of the dance is tough”.

However as his success soars, he finds he can swap off by enjoying snooker.

“It is fairly a calming sport. I believe I’ve at all times preferred it even earlier than I used to be doing music as a profession like this.

“I simply get right into a zone whereas I am enjoying.”