Esme Bridie is a wonderful singer songwriter who brings in a succinct style of storytelling through her carefully crafted lyrics and gentle vocals. Esme is dropping her debut record on the 23rd of March alongside a UK tour.
I had a quick catch up with her ahead of the release.
Where are you right now and what was the last song you
listened to?
I am sat at my desk in my bedroom
with my fairy lights on and the last song I listened to was Gina’s World by
Marika Hackman.
What’s your
earliest musical memory – who was the first artist you listened to that really
resonated with you?
When my siblings and I were little,
my mum used to put a CD on in the living room and we’d all have a dance! I used
to love that! I remember dancing to Dido’s White Flag. J When I properly started getting into music at about 13 I used
to love the Dixie Chicks! I also loved Kate Nash and Ingrid Michelson, so it
seems I had a lot of female role models without really realizing it, I was just
drawn to female singer- songwriters.
Having a look back at a few of your
previous tracks like ‘What You Had Yesterday’ and ‘Turn Around’, you are a
wonderful storyteller in the way your songs are crafted – how do you feel your
songs have progressed over the years?
Thank you! Looking back at my older
songs, it seems my sense of melody progressed over the years. I’d say I’m a lot
more aware now of my own voice and how to craft melodies around it.
Precious Life has some gorgeous instrumentals and wonderfully
honest lyrics that you’ve intertwined with your angelic vocals, you can really
hear some relatable themes within this track and there is definitely a sense of
optimism in a complicated world, how was it penning this particular song and
did you have an idea of how you wanted the final recording to sound?
This song came out of me one day
after I watched a very sad news story that made me feel overwhelmed with how
life can just go so easily. Although this is quite a somber theme I, wanted it
to be hopeful and not depressing. I was also conscious to capture that same
sentiment in the arrangement. I think that is why the strings work well as they
give the song a kind of whim sickle and dreamy feel.
The video works so well amplifying the messages in the song,
how has the reception been and did you have an idea of how you wanted the video
to look and what you wanted it to represent?
The responses to the video have been
very positive, I think because it is very relevant. We wanted it to capture the
issues of the NHS and also our planet and ecology. Although this is not
particularly what the song was about when I wrote it, I like the new angle it
presents. It is also just very timely.
Your Debut album –
Today It Rains is coming out very soon on the 23rd of
March - how are you feeling about getting it out there?
Ahh! I am so excited but also very
nervous! We have been working on it for a while and I can’t believe it is time
for it to be released. I just hope people like it!
What can we expect from the album and
are some of these tracks ones you have been working on for a while?
You can expect lots of strings and
openly tuned guitars, story- teller lyrics and other exciting flavors! We have
been working on these songs for about two years so it is definitely time for
other people to hear them.
What was it like going into the
studio and laying down these melodious records?
It was loads of fun! I got to work
with Colin Mckay who is a great producer so there was always someone to bounce
ideas off. My favorite sessions though, have to be when we recorded backing
vocals with Ellie Smith and Thom Morecroft. They both have such great energy
and amazing voices so it was just really special having them sing on my songs.
You have some exciting gigs coming up
on your tour, how are you feeling about spreading your music to ears across the
UK?
Yes, I am playing in Leeds,
Liverpool, Manchester, London and York. I’m excited! It’s going to be great
playing in different cities than usual. It is always nice playing to new
people.
What else have you been working on behind the scenes?
Well I’ve got lots of new songs
written which I’ve been working on with my band. These will have to be saved for
the next album of course!
And finally - What is your musical motto that you will stick
to throughout your career?
I guess my musical motto would be to
stay focused on making the music that I love and not get distracted by what
other people think. It is very hard to do that in this industry but I hope that
I could always be sincere.
Go see Esme Bridie live:
March 21st - Wharf Chambers, Leeds, (supporting The Younger Lovers)
March 22nd - Studio 2, Parr Street, Liverpool. Album Launch
March 27th - The Fitzgerald, Manchester
March 31st - The 45 Cafe, York
April 14th - The Market, Leeds
April 25th - The Lending Room, Leeds
March 22nd - Studio 2, Parr Street, Liverpool. Album Launch
March 27th - The Fitzgerald, Manchester
March 31st - The 45 Cafe, York
April 14th - The Market, Leeds
April 25th - The Lending Room, Leeds
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