From Busk! to Lady Baird: Letting the Music Lead the Way
- Karin Blak
- 6 days ago
- 5 min read
Updated: 5 days ago
Market Harborough's music scene is a hidden gem, but it doesn't take much digging to find a surprising amount of talent.
I had the pleasure of talking with Eleanor Shepherd, a familiar and much-valued presence on the Creative Harborough busking scene. Ele is steadily making bold strides on the local music circuit. From tentative first performances to recording and releasing original material, Ele’s journey is one of courage, collaboration and creative growth.
Here are her answers to a series of questions designed to tease out what lies beneath Ele’s music and the evolution into her new chapter in the band Lady Baird.
Do you remember those early Busk! sessions in spring 2025? What did they mean to you at the time?
“Yes,” she says, "I was excited and apprehensive all in one." Busking had long been something Ele wanted to do as a way of connecting with the community in a raw, authentic way. But stepping out like this wasn't without apprehension: when she applied to Creative Harborough's Busk! project, she believed the diary would be fully booked, and she expected a rejection. Being given this opportunity was a surprise and felt significant, a big step in a direction she hadn't dared hope for.
"The nerves," she explains, "were more about imagined 'what ifs' than reality." But in the end, none of those fears materialised. Instead, she found herself singing her original songs, alongside a few carefully chosen covers. Passers-by stopped, listened, and sometimes even leapt from cars at the nearby traffic lights to make a donation. “It was a positive experience all round,” she says. “Busking is my favourite. It’s freeing and authentic.”
How did your musical partnership with Steve begin, and how has it shaped your sound and confidence?
In March 2024, Ele posted on Facebook seeking a guitarist to collaborate on original material. Mutual friends linked her with Steve. “We got together, shared ideas, and our first song ‘Undone’ was created.”
Their process is fluid and collaborative. Sometimes Ele brings lyrics and melody; other times Steve arrives with hooks and rhythms that spark new writing. “It’s very diverse and freeing,” she says. “A blend of both our personalities and the musicians we grew up listening to.”
The partnership has also supported her personally. “Confidence is growing for me. I’m learning to manage my anxiety and stage fright. Busking has helped; I’ve learnt it’s not about me; it’s for the people listening and connecting with the music. And the anxiety? That's ok, means I care.”
What role did Brickwork Studios play in your journey?
Ele was signposted to Brickwork Studios by a drummer she was singing with in another band. Before then, she had been working with an engineer for her songwriting, but he took a break to work on his own material.
"This provided the perfect opening for me and Steve to work with Brickwork Studios" she says, "Martin, the founder of Brickwork, is amazing; he hears our idea and vision and works with us to achieve the right sound and vibe." Brickwork has also been instrumental in signposting to cover artwork and all the little bits that have to be considered as an independent artist/band.
They were originally hoping to make it on the Brickwork record label, "but I am too old!" she laughs. Steve and Ele fund all their own projects, which works well for them. They agreed on a clean split of royalties and ownership of their work, an important part of the music business.
How did it feel moving from busking to paid performances?
"The transition brought both validation and realism. Paid gigs at venues such as Louisa's Place are helping to fund artwork, studio time, websites and merchandise, all essential for our band's development."
Yet Ele is clear: “Busking is different. People stop to listen, perhaps sit for a little while; they are there because they want to hear you. It’s the best feeling.” The industry landscape has also clarified their direction. “Live venues want cover bands, festivals want independent bands with experience and a following. That’s helped cement our place as an independent band, not a function band, and we’re focusing on that.”
What prompted the rebrand to Lady Baird?
With an album taking shape, a shift felt necessary. The music recorded under “Ele” reflected her songwriting identity; Lady Baird represents the fully realised collaboration with Steve, and a cohesive new sound. There were practical considerations too, algorithms, genre clarity, and playlist placement.
“I’m super pleased with how it’s turned out,” she says. The Ele name remains for songwriting, collaborations and potential sync placements. Lady Baird is the band.
What feels most important about recording and releasing your music?
Recording has been both joyful and challenging. “I always love my acoustic demos,” Ele admits, “so sometimes production is tricky.” Drum patterns are reworked, brass sections reconsidered, but the learning has been immense.
Releasing music independently is equally demanding: artwork, distribution, playlists, radio, and social platforms. Time-consuming, but necessary. Most important, she says, is that the music is released. “There’s no point in a song on a hard drive doing nothing. You can always go back and re-release. It’s not final or fatal.”
The overwhelming response has been love and support. Her advice? “If you’re worried about vulnerability — just do it.”
What’s next?
Ele loves the local scene and the support of Creative Harborough, HFM, and community events. Lady Baird’s album is nearing completion, with hopes of performing it live and undertaking a small UK tour. Busking dates resume in March, alongside appearances at local events.
Longer term? A second album, perhaps a manager, maybe even Glastonbury - a dream come true. “Mostly,” she says, “have fun and continue to follow God’s plan.” Ele loves writing for other artists and welcomes more of these projects too.
And if the journey so far is anything to go by, I think Lady Baird and Ele's solo work are both something to watch out for.
Creative Harborough and the Busk! project would like to extend heartfelt thanks to Ele, and her band, Lady Baird, for their generosity and steadfast support of the Busk! stage in the Undercroft. Whether performing on a cold winter's evening or on sunny summer days, Ele has shown up with commitment, warmth and a genuine love of live music, helping to shape the atmosphere and spirit of Market Harborough's town centre.
Creative Harborough wishes Lady Baird, and its band members, Ele and Steve, every success as their journey continues. We look forward to seeing them around town, cheering them on, and following their well-deserved progress.
Ele/Lady Baird regularly performs at Louisa's Place, so keep an eye on their upcoming events. You can also experience their music at:
Busking in the Undercroft begins on 14th March at 5pm – 7pm. For more dates, please visit Events, click on 'Name of Group or Organisation' and select Busk!
You will also find Lady Baird at:
The Wild West & Country Fayre on 24th May at Welland Park.
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