Ellie King: The Soulful Voice of American Roots Rock

Ellie King is an American singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist known for her raspy, powerful vocals and her blend of rock, blues, and folk influences. Hailing from Los Angeles, California, she achieved mainstream success with her 2014 platinum-certified single "Ex's & Oh's," which propelled her debut album to the top of the charts.

Early career

Born in 1989, Ellie King spent her formative years between New York City and Los Angeles, deeply influenced by the eclectic music tastes of her actor father. She began playing piano and guitar as a teenager, writing songs and performing in local venues. Her first major step came in 2012 when she signed with RCA Records and released the EP Ellie King Live at Bedford, followed by the single "Make It Rain" for the TV series Sons of Anarchy.

Breakthrough

King's breakthrough arrived in 2014 with the release of the gritty, infectious single "Ex's & Oh's." The song became a slow-burn hit, eventually peaking at No. 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 and spending several weeks atop the Hot Rock Songs chart. It served as the lead single for her debut studio album, Love Stuff, which was released in 2015 and reached No. 16 on the Billboard 200.

Key tracks

Ex's & Oh's — This double-platinum single earned King two Grammy nominations and defined her signature swamp-rock sound.

Under the Influence — A later single showcasing a more polished pop-rock direction that still retained her distinctive vocal grit.

Make It Rain — Her early blues-rock track used in Sons of Anarchy that first demonstrated her powerful, soulful delivery to a wider audience.

Drunk (And I Don't Wanna Go Home) — A 2021 duet with Miranda Lambert that became a country radio hit, showcasing her collaborative versatility.

The success of her debut led to extensive touring and a follow-up album. Her second studio album, Shake the Spirit, arrived in 2018, debuting at No. 1 on the Billboard Top Rock Albums chart. King has also collaborated with artists like DJ Zedd on the track "Middle of the Night" and continued to evolve her blend of rock and soulful Americana.

Fans of Ellie King's brand of gritty, soul-infused rock might also enjoy the raw energy of Grace Potter. Her blend of rock and folk storytelling finds common ground with The Lumineers. The powerful vocal delivery and blues-rock foundation is shared by Alabama Shakes. For a similar mix of rock attitude and pop melody, explore K Flay.

Ellie King's music maintains a strong presence on radio formats that celebrate authentic songwriting and rock energy. Her hits are staples on adult alternative radio stations and mainstream rock FM channels, while her deeper album cuts resonate on independent music radio stations focused on singer-songwriters.

Listeners can discover the full range of Ellie King's music, from her blues-rock anthems to her folk-inflected ballads, on the rock and alternative radio stations featured here on onairium.com. Tune in to hear her powerful tracks in regular rotation across our curated network of online radio streams.