Irish songwriter Bea Stewart is simply phenomenal. A true wordsmith, her emotive tones and gentle tapestry of textured sounds are both glacial and heavenly. With this raw talent, we predict Bea will go far. Her new single “Nicest Song I’ve Ever Written” talks about the bond between siblings. A track that really hits home about the often unspoken love that is sweetest. We caught up to Bea to chat about the single and her forthcoming live show.
Hi Bea! Tell us one thing we should know about you.
Hi! One thing you should know about me is that I take immense pride in my ability to pour the perfect pint of Guinness (shamrock art included).
Your new single “Nicest Song I’ve Ever Written” is so much more than just nice. Can you tell us about it?
Thank you so much! I’m glad you think so. This song is about my brother. I have 2 brothers, I don’t have a favourite I promise but this song is specifically about one of them – he was going through a rough time and it was really hard to watch. Like most siblings we care a lot about each other but we’re not very good at saying it so this song was my attempt to process what I wanted him to know but didn’t know how to communicate. It’s funny that I find words so hard sometimes considering I’m a songwriter and take a lot of care with my lyrics… maybe that’s the one thing you should know about me.
Do you have a favourite lyric from the single and why?
I think my favourite lyric from the song is in the second verse “I wrote this song to let it out, those things we never say out loud, like you’re too great to be so down, and I hope you know I’m proud”. The second verse is where I always get emotional and I think this part pretty much sums up what the song is about.
As a great songwriter, do you feel that it’s important to pour your own emotions into writing?
The great part I’m still working on but yes, It’s the only way I really know how to write. I think people can tell when a song comes from a real place or not and it’s so much more likely to connect with people if you felt it first. I’m a firm believer in writing what you know but at the same time hats off to people who can write about something they’ve never felt before, that’s a skill in itself.
You’re signed to Kin Records too, which has a brilliant roster. How has it been working with them?
Yes I am and yes they do! Working with Kin has been so great. I really appreciate everything they’re doing and honestly just that they believe in me and the music I’m making. The music industry can be a really lonely place as a songwriter or an artist trying to get going with no one on their team. It means a lot to have them on mine and not feel so on my own in this!
You were also born in Ireland; has the environment you grew up influenced your music?
100%! Growing up I was surrounded by traditional Irish folk music, playing the flute in trad group at my school and doing Irish dancing. My music is by no means Irish folk music but there are definite influences that you can hear in my melody and lyric writing.
Which artists are you listening to at the moment?
Recently I’ve been listening to a lot of Holly Humberstone, Paolo Nutini, Dermot Kennedy (this is becoming a very predictable answer for me but I can’t help it). I’ve also been loving Tom Odell’s new album and I’ve had Stormzy’s Hide & Seek on repeat.
And finally, can we see you live soon?
Yes please! I’m playing at West Hampstead Arts Club on the 17th of November as part of a Kin Records night – there will be other artists from the brilliant roster you mentioned earlier playing too so you don’t want to miss it. I have another gig coming up in the new year on the 19th of January. If you want to keep up to date with more music and live shows you can follow me on instagram (@beawritessongs).
Thanks so much for chatting!
Thank you for having me!
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