Music

Today’s Featured Artist – INTERVIEW – Bea Elmy Martin

Tell us about: 

Your latest single you have released: 

Writing “Anouk” felt like a really soft writing process. A lot of my earlier work processed grief and loss, whereas this was centred on platonic love – something that carried a lot less weight and instead made me feel floaty. Because it’s about someone I love so deeply, there was a tenderness in the writing process. It wasn’t about untangling pain as much as honouring connection. 

Your favourite lyric in this song:

“I’ve been looking around for purpose, fight through the cold breeze” feels likes a line that encapsulates being 23 pretty well.

Your favourite song that you have created that is an album track:

“Anouk” and “Lost” but it changed a lot – it really depends on the day!

Your favourite song to play live:

Ooooh I love playing “Where We Part” live. It takes on a different energy and it always makes me feel really present so I can rely on it to bring me back into my body mid set.

The song that was the longest to write and why?

“Anouk” for sure. When it’s about something so real I definitely feel more pressure to get it right. “Anouk” was like a plant that I kept replanting. I’d go back in, change a melody, shift a texture, sit with it again.

I can’t guess at the beginning when a song is going to be ready, it is more of a feeling for me. Songwriting is such a journey, and releasing it feels more like a shared space or my offering. When the feelings are less raw that’s normally when I feel ready to release it because you don’t feel so exposed putting out an older version of yourself.

One of your previous tracks you would recommend for first time listeners of your music and why?

“Shallows” or “Joy When You Enter” are two that I could listen to at anytime of the day 🙂

Dream collaboration:

Singing with Stevie Wonder would be number one dream, he is the reason I sing and I love him so much. I’d also love to write with Jon Batiste, Adrianne Lenker, Bon Iver, Blake Mils, Weval. Sorry that’s a lot!

Describe the feeling you get when you walk on stage to do a show:

I’m normally just trying to take as many deep breaths as possible, I like to map out my first chord progression with my hands on the piano. That calms me – then you just have to start and really trust yourself.

The track that is most fun to play live:

“Blue Escape” is a fun one to play live. It was also the first song I ever wrote so I have played it live a lot and feel very at home doing so! 

Essential items you always take on tour with you?

Velcro Rollers.

Describe your fans in three words:

I’ve only been in contact with a few fans of the music over messenger but everyone I’ve had the pleasure of talking to has been so sweet and beautifully descriptive about their favourite songs – loving, thoughtful and wise.

A song released in the last few years by an artist or band you wish you had written:

There’s a song called “Saturday” by an artist called “Annahstasia” that is so beautiful. It sounds so cathartic and deep. That presence in a recording is hard to come by. 

What we can look forward to from your band this year:

Lots more live shows. I just want to play live as much as possible this year. Any excuse to sing along with other people who connect with the music and create spaces full of love! I’ll also be in the studio a lot this year looking towards the next project.


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