What is your name?
Bessie Turner
What is your genre of music?
I guess it’s something like indie-jazzy-pop-noise.
Give us a little bio about you.
I’m a singer-songwriter from Suffolk, I’ve been writing for some years now but it was only last April I released single number one. I like animals, growing veggies, I’m a mean cook and I can jump start cars with my eyes closed.
What made you go in to music?
It was never a conscious decision really, just an obvious one. I’m surrounded by creatives of all mediums and I have heaps of friends in bands… Music has always been a way of socializing for me but also a big release of emotion/stress/brain fuzz. I’ve always sung and written so to finally have the balls and support to do it is wicked.
Are you a signed?
No… Well unofficially to myself. I am the only artist signed to Don’t Try Records but I also own the company with my buddy/boyfriend/band friend so I’m in full control. We set up the company to add validity to the first release and it kind of skyrocketed and worked better than we ever could have hoped. It’s difficult though, we both work full time and it’s completely self funded, finding time to write and be in the zone and make music on top of all the responsibilities that come with releasing music and running an independent label can be stressful sometimes but I’m super proud…. BUT ALSO OPEN TO OFFERS FROM PEOPLE WITH MORE EXPERIENCE AND TIME!!?)*(&^%$£@@!!!
You have released some videos as teasers to showcase your music, how has the response been?
It’s been really wonderful. I’ve been so blessed to find the greatest friend in Chris Driver (part of the Don’t Try Records collective) who shoots and edits and is a general visual tech whizzzzzzz, we’re best buddies which makes making/editing/vibing the stupidest ideas really fun, it’s been so good to be so involved with it. I’ve learnt that having a visual to accompany a message or status is so invaluable to gaining attention… We’re basically all like magpies that love shiny beautiful things and accepting that is the first step to a great life.
You are also released your new EP ’22:22′, tell us more about it.
It’s a collection of songs spanning from In My Room which was written when I was 19 or so and Words You Say which is punchy and bold and written last June. I’m so proud of it, it’s so good to have it laid out as a physical thing. Kind of gives me weird indirect reassurance to move onto the next step and set of recordings. It’s called 22:22 for cosmic, bizarre personal reasons. It’s a number that really resonates with me and reminds me of sisterhood, hardship, being grounded and fucking owning it.
What was the writing process like?
Really natural, quite easy… I never sit down and think I’m going to write a song about this or how I feel or even that I’m going to sit down and write a song. They pop into my head when I’m washing up or walking on my own and then when the moment takes me I’ll all of a sudden be playing guitar and putting together the puzzle. It’s all quite self indulgent writing, a lot of it would make no sense to anyone else but when I pushing my voice and singing it in front of an audience there’s so many images and memories going through my head it shocks me that I’m playing guitar and singing and remembering words and standing up and breathing and existing at all.
What was the recording process like?
Wonderful, life affirming, tear inducing, fucking brilliant. It’s really intense when you’re in the studio sometimes, aware that every minute is money and that if there’s a time to rock it and shine then it’s right this second. George Perks who we recorded the EP with is so fantastic it’s hard to describe, an instant friend and super human.
Describe each track in two words.
Casa – Dreamy doom
WYS – Bouncy pop
Big Sleep – twiddly niceness
Abseil – Vulnerable wahhh
Milinky – Conversational, honest
In My Room – confessional wailing
Take a listen here
Do you have gigs coming up or a tour in planning?
Lots of little ones local to East Anglia and a tour in October time hopefully. It’s best to check up on facebook for things we have going on 🙂 (It’s what I do when my heads busy and I don’t know what day it is.)
If so where are you thinking of heading?
There’s mention of a little trip around Europe later in the year which is really exciting, I haven’t really travelled around this country too much so I’d like to do that too, I’ve never been to Bristol or Scotland or Ireland or up north really so getting in touch with promoters far and wide is something on my list to do.
Do you have any collaborations coming up with any up coming artists?
I have none planned but I’m super open to offers, I love working with other people, I’ve dipped in and out of a project called Shining Path which is a collaboration by super rapper/spoken word artist Rye Shabby and producer mega man Tom Kerridge. Rye’s shows are totally worth going to if you ever get the opportunity he’s so full of energy and light.
Would you be up for collaborations if other musicians wanted one with you? and who would they have to contact?
Directly through facebook and social media is always a great way of doing it, or check out donttryrecords/com and get in touch via that 🙂
What else can we expect from you this year?
Hopefully I’ll be able to continue on the up as I did in 2017, I’m really enjoying the hard work and highs and lows and the growing audiences is really fantastic.
Do you play any instruments?
I play guitar on all the tracks, and can play bass and a little bit of piano and synths… I was only really ever interested in learning enough to write along too but I’ve definitely seen a huge improvement in myself which I’m really proud of.
Who are your influences?
Family, friends, artists new and old… Nadine Shah is really fierce and great, I heard her on a radio programme recently and I want to fist pump her so bad. She’s writing about really current issues and spreading knowledge and love far and wide.
How do you get inspiration to write songs?
It’s unfortunately all quite self centred… From my own experiences and lows and sentences and words I hear. I’ve written a song recently with a more external narrative kind of tone which is quite different to my other stuff, I’m going to test it out at shows and see how it goes down.
Where do you see yourself now in 5 Years?
Oooohhhhh…. I’d love to have a dog by then, and a home with a driveway and a nice garden. I’d love to be able to look back on incredible things like playing more festivals and being on Jools Holland and travelling the world.
When you’re not doing music, what do you do?
I work in a pub in Ipswich called The Woolpack, I work for a catering company and help out with my friends website. I love love love love dancing along to Radio 6 while I cook something delicious… I love hosting drinks and dinners and long walks and drinking lager. All the little lovely thing.
What was the song you listened to most that influenced you to go more in to the music scene?
Ooohhhh….. I don’t know really…. I’m lucky to be surrounded by wonderful musician friends and they all write great music… My friend Ben Brown is the most insane writer, he plays in Dingus Khan and Superglu and anything that comes out of his head is brilliant… Rye Shabby is a wordsmith, I think sometimes when people are bopping around at his shows dancing and drinking sometimes how great his lyrics really are gets a bit lost… Animal Noise, Fishclaw, Slow King… East Anglia is pretty great.
What’s the best advice you have ever been given?
Rest.
What advice would you give to aspiring musicians not about the industry and just as an artist?
Be yourself, and have as much confidence in yourself as you can physically muster. You’re great.
What quote or saying do you always stick by?
I don’t know, my Granny’s voice popped into my head when I read this question… She always encourages resting and eating well and I love her so much.
Where in your hometown is a must go to visit?
I highly recommend taking some houmous and carrots and prosecco to Holywells Park on a sunny day. It’s the most beautiful and underrated park full of beautiful trees, buildings and wildlife. It’s kept so beautifully and you can tell how much love goes into it as a space.
Your coming off tour;
1/ Where do you go first? The pub
2/ Who do you see first? My soul sisters Surrey, Mahalia, Ruby and Sarah
3/What do you eat first? VEGETABLES….. I miss vegetables and hot vegan meals so much when I’m busy and out and about… Ready salted crisps and Naked bars just don’t hit the spot
When you are at a gig, what are 5 things you cannot forget?
If I’m playing…. A tuning pedal, a menthol cough/throat sweet, eye bag concealer, my guitar and clean knickers.
Do you have social media accounts so your fans can follow you?
On instagram …. Facebook …. Twitter
