Ellie Goulding has revealed she likes to ''have a drink'' before she goes on stage.

The 'Burn' hitmaker admits her pre-show ritual involves some liquid courage as it helps her get more ''pumped'' for the performance.

PageSix.com reports that Ellie said: ''I always have a drink before I perform.

''I'll just have a drink ... I feel a bit more pumped and excited, but I don't get drunk. That would be a very bad idea.''

Meanwhile, the 27-year-old singer has revealed she is ''excited about the direction'' of her new album.

She said: ''I kind of don't want to give it away so soon! I feel like if I start talking about it now, I'll put it in my own head and it'll affect the process.

''I'm excited about the direction. I think it's easy to do something new and crazy, but I don't really overthink it when I get in the studio. I start a lot of stuff on guitar and I always have someone who plays piano with me.''

Ellie added: ''I have such an affinity with electronic music, classical music and folk music that so much stuff comes into it. All I'd like to say really is that I'm really happy and excited about the direction.''