Introducing #104 - Bessie Turner
Let us introduce you to Bessie Turner, who ahead of her London headline show at Folklore this month, has released her new single ‘Down 2’. Bessie took a moment to reflect on her musical adventures this year and what the future holds in store for her.
You have a new single out named ‘Down 2’ at the moment and a lovely headline show at London’s Folklore in December. So you must be super excited? Can you tell us what the track is about? And have you got any tricks plans for the London show?
I'm really excited, the whole year has been mad so it's mega to have a show I've been so involved with to wrap it up. 'Down 2' is about emotions and relationships I guess. Anything I ever write is so so personal to me, I love that people take away their own versions of what it means to them.
You played a number of festivals over the summer, the likes of Dot to Dot and Live at Leeds, do you have any favorites and why?
No favourites, but Leopallooza had such a special vibe and we really enjoyed it. I think the impending summer of shows made us really excited. Dot to Dot was quite a stick out weekend too. I'd had some bad news very shortly before the event and I just trapped about on a train with my guitar in my own head meeting people and fronting life. They all have their own stories and sentiments.
At the start of 2019, you were rushed to hospital with sepsis, do you feel that experience has changed your way of thinking or even the creative process to your music?
It definitely changed everything a bit. Despite being in hospital with loads of drips in your arms and people watching you 24 hours a day I still didn't quite figure how nearly dead I was. I'm hardened and a bit more straight about things. I don't know if it's changed my writing at all, perhaps I'm a little bit less afraid of being myself or what people will think.
The video for your new single was filmed in your native homeland of Suffolk, what are your earliest memories of the area? And how do you feel the video connects with the track?
Earliest memories are running around with my sister in vast woodlands. It's a safe place but it also has this eerie sense of emptiness which can either be the most comforting thing in the world or quite the opposite dependent on headspace. The video connects with the track in loads of ways for me personally, the snappy edit, the sort of nonsensical sub titles, the shadows, the colour...I really prefer for people to interpret it for themselves.
This year is almost coming to an end, so what have been your highlights of 2019, and what are your plans for 2020?
Highlights are being alive, being back on track and getting my voice back. The Ed [Sheeran] show was incredible. Making new relationships and learning from the past. Regarding 2020 I have no expectations, it's the safest way I think. I hope to release new music and tour and collaborate and create some noise and do something for others. Fingers crossed.
Tickets for Bessie’s headline show at Folklore, London on Wednesday 4th December are on sale now.