A SINGER-SONGWRITER from Surrey, Elissa Franceschi is part of a new wave of DIY artists on the London music scene.

Without a label or PR representation, she is building a following through social media and haunting live performances with her seven-piece band.

She has already performed at Brixton Academy, Roundhouse, Reading Festival and Wembley Arena, and on June 19 will be at the Troubador in Earl’s Court for a more intimate performance. Elissa describes herself as ‘a female Coldplay with the attitude and R ’n’ B influence of Kelly Clarkson and the raw ballads of Adele’.

Her Welsh grandmother Joan sang in choirs all around the world, while her grandfather, Les, was in a jazz band.

She also has a more famous brother, Josh, who is the lead singer of rock band You Me At Six.

As a child, she would listen to Fleetwood Mac, Sting, Stevie Wonder and Billy Joel, who were always being played by her parents.

Elissa said: “Performing in London is fantastic. It’s such an eclectic city, you never know what kind of crowd you’ll play to, which makes you work harder to connect with them and capture their attention.

“The intimacy of sharing a song with an audience is very satisfying to me, particularly if it stirs their emotions, or they are able to relate to what I’ve written about.

“For me, there is nothing more powerful and universal than unforgettable live music, and to write timeless songs that move people is my ultimate goal.”

Without a record deal in place, Elissa decided to take matters into her own hands, running her own media company and making the most of social media to connect with her fan base.

She has clocked up more than a million plays on YouTube, and has more than 11,000 Twitter followers, with whom she keeps in regular contact. She has three independently released albums on iTunes and her new album Into the Light is out now.

Backing singer Jessica Thompson added: “I am so lucky to be able to work with Elissa. Not only is she a breathtakingly talented singer, but she writes her own songs and plays the piano.

“Being on stage with her and the band is always great fun, and I know that with her talent and work ethic, she has big things coming her way.”

lCatch Elissa at the Troubador in Earl’s Court on June 19 at 9pm, and headlining at Ronnie Scott’s on July 17. For more live dates and information, visit www.elissafranceschi.com .