Get to Know Ed Sheeran - Your Moment of Zen

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Jamie Foxx walks into a bar, sees a curly haired "ginger" strumming out, and is so impressed that he offers up his couch and use of his personal recording studio for the remainder of his stay in Los Angeles. Good thing too, because Ed Sheeran wasn't sure where he was going to sleep that night, as couch surfing has become a varsity sport for the English born singer songwriter during his 300 plus shows he plays a year. Yes, 300 shows a year, some nights playing two or three in a row.

If Damien Rice grew up on a diet of Tupac Shakur, the result would bleed Ed Sheeran. Jumping between sensitive guitar crooning, he can flip the switch to double timed rhythmic vocal syncopation, hanging on beats made in-front of the audience in real time with beat-boxing and a loop pedal. His unique style has made him one of the fastest growing artists in the UK and his album "+" (which Ed says stands for positivity...and that's what we're all about here at LifeSushi) has garnered four Brit awards.

But as a new comer to the States, he of course made the obligatory SXSW rounds, playing two highly anticipated shows at La Zona Rosa and Stubb's BBQ, cutting straight through the audible overload of this years line up. MTV even webcasted his Stubb's performance live on their website.

And the 20 year-old Sheeran IS cutting though, not just because of his God given guitar talent, but also because his lyrics are like tiny parables within each story. "Give Me Love" is about love lost and the drunk nights trying to let go. He sings "And I'll fight my corner/maybe tonight i'll call ya/when my blood is drowning in alcohol". "Lego House" is an imaginary world where love can be built and easily taken apart like a toy "Pick up the pieces and build a lego house/and if things go wrong we can knock it down". Or "You Need Me, I Don't Need You" an entire story that whilst could be interpreted about a relationship gone wrong was actually inspired by his UK management instructing him to change his style to become more mainstream.

What has been some of your music inspirations?

"I've always really been into hip hop. Growing up, Biggie Smalls and Tupac Shakur satisfied my thirst for lyrics. I like the way they put words together, and then if you can mix it with melodies, you get something really special. Plan B does it, so does Jason Mraz. You can hear it coming though".

We understand that you recently decided to shed some pounds and be a little more healthy, why?

"I moved out when i was 16 to a place above a pub with a kebab shop where I ate and drank and just got a bit chubby.The photos are all going to be a part of a catalogue that is going to be sold to raise money. A lot of people are doing it. I was 14 stone (196 lbs) and now I am 11 stone (154 lbs)". (Sheeran will be posing nude with other celebs hand picked by Elton John, for a calendar to raise money for AIDS awareness)

In your video for Lego House, Rupert Grint of Harry Potter is starring in the video, how did that happen?

"Yes, I am a fan of Harry Potter and he did the video for me. We are friends now. We were introduced by Tom Felton who also stars in the Harry Potter films."

Your first single in the US is the A-Team, can you tell us a little bit about it?

"I was asked to do a free gig and play some covers at a homeless shelter, there I met a drug addicted prostitute names Angel and the song is about her."

You can check out Ed Sheeran on tour opening for Snow Patrol. His first single "The A-Team" is being released in the US on Atlantic Records and his album "+" will be available in September. In the mean time you can check out the album online, as it is available already in the UK, and an EP featuring some of his best songs is already available in the US at iTunes.

Fresh Cuts:

"You Need Me, I Don't Need You" - Eminem goes to England and learns to play guitar. Also you never see Ed in the video, which is done completely in sign language.

"The A-Team" - Damien Rice might be jealous he didn't write this song.

"Give Me Love" - Peter Gabriel 2012. "In Your Eyes" for the class of 2012.

"Drunk" - An amazing song but, the video proves that cat can be mans best friend.

And Here It Is....Your Moment of Zen....Ed Sheeran "The A-Team"

Till Next Week!

Chris Moradi

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