Title: Ed Sheeran Interview

Video by Blast | in music & audio, genre, rock & indie

Acoustic guitarist Ed Sheeran talks about his influences, his plans for the future and his music.

Find out how Ed is involved in our new portrait design competition by going to our portrait competition page

Below is an article written by BBC Blast Reporters Kate and Linda finding out a little more about Ed...

He's 18 and first started writing music to get out of doing homework! His music is reminiscent of early song writing icons like Bob Dylan, but is well crafted enough to be original. He plays electric-acoustic guitar, beat boxes and writes heartfelt, well written lyrics that often tell a story and reflect wisdom that is far beyond his years.

Already Ed has toured with various bands including the legendary Nizlopi and has been getting a lot of attention from some high profile names in the music industry. Although he has already achieved a great deal for someone so young, with numerous albums under his belt and a huge catalogue of songs to draw from, Ed is still driven to create.

Ed is definitely one to watch. His unique blend of folk and hip-hop, combined with haunting melodies and complex lyrics make for an interesting and charismatic performer.

You are really colourful...

Thanks, I love colour, and all my bracelets have a story to tell. This brown leather one is from Venice, the one with the sweets on it is from my mum. I'm quite arty. I didn't know whether to become an artist or musician but I realised I could paint with music. All my songs have colours.

Can you explain?

Well "You Need Me I Don't Need You" for example is "aubergine". It's a sad song about struggling.

What do you wear normally?

Loads of colour. I'm wearing green, blue and orange today. I made a necklace from a piece of chalk I found too.

What's the most interesting thing you own?

My vintage wallet that belonged to my dad. It's full of train tickets. I have a wall full of old tickets at home, there are about four hundred. I have a saying that goes "If you don't know where you have been, you don't know where you are going".

What advice would you give anyone wanting to enter the competition?

Be original; don't be scared of being bold!

For more information on the competition, visit our competition page