Having already established herself with a breadth of dynamic delights these last few years, emerging artist Bea Elmy Martin continues her upward ascent with her lofty new single 'Where We Part'.
Lifted from her stunning debut album ‘Under the Yew’, which is available to stream now, 'Where We Part' makes for a beautifully warm and endearing return for her. With her sweeping vocals layered across a warm and emotive production throughout, she is certainly looking to turn plenty of heads with this one.
So with the new single available to stream now, we sat down with her to find out more about her origins and what has been inspiring her most over the years.
-
What was the first instrument you fell in love with?
The piano. There’s something about the emotional range of it — how it can be both delicate and intense — that’s always resonated with me. It became my first real companion in songwriting.
What kind of music did you love when you were younger?
I grew up loving a mix of alternative, folk, and soul. Artists like Stevie Wonder, Florence + The Machine, and Jeff Buckley really shaped my ear. I’ve always been drawn to voices and sounds that feel raw and that tell a story.
What was the first album you remember owning?
I think it was Back to Black by Amy Winehouse. That album made me want to start writing songs, her lyricism really stuck with me and made me feel a lot from a very young age. It had a huge influence on how I understood storytelling in music.
What is the one song you wished you could have written yourself?
“Fast Car” by Tracy Chapman. The simplicity, the longing, the change in pace, it’s perfect. It’s the kind of song that doesn’t age and feels euphoric every time you hear it.
Do you have any habits or rituals you go through when trying to write new music?
I usually start by sitting at the piano without an agenda and just letting my hands move and seeing where the chords take me emotionally. I often write late at night, when everything feels a bit more vulnerable, honest and quiet. And voice notes… so many voice notes.
Who are your favourite artists you have found yourself listening to at the moment?
Right now, I’m really into Alice Coletrane, Billie Marten, and Big Thief. There’s a kind of haunting intimacy in their music that I’m drawn to. I’m also always returning to Bon Iver when I need to feel grounded.
If you could open a show for anyone in the world, who would it be?
Joy Crookes. The energy and vocals she brings to the stage is unreal, and I feel like our sounds would complement each other beautifully. It would be a dream. We’re also both South London based, big up!
What do you find is the most rewarding part about being a musician?
When someone tells me that a song of mine made them feel seen, or helped them through something — that’s everything. Music has always done that for me, so being able to create that space for someone else is beyond rewarding.
And what is the most frustrating part?
The pressure to constantly create content and stay visible. Sometimes it feels like the music gets lost in the noise. I write because I have something to say, not just to fill a feed. However, I have recently found a love for making content too - we have an up and down relationship.
And what is the best piece of advice you have received as a musician?
I’m going to be really generic and quote Rick Ruben here — “The magic is not in the analyzing or the understanding. The magic lives in the wonder of what we do not know.”
-
Bea Elmy Martin's new single 'Where We Part' is available to stream now. Check it out in the player below.