Introducing #117 - Bebe Barry
Let us introduce you to London based artist Bebe Barry - who has just released her uplifting pop anthem ‘Thank God’ - an infectious guitar track that ticks the right boxes similar to Lily Allen and Baby Queen. She took a moment to talk to us about growing up above a busy pub and her love for David Bowie.
Hey there Bebe Barry - how are you? So your new track ‘Thank God’ is out now, can you tell us what it is about?
Hello, I’m fine and dandy thanks! ‘Thank God!’ is basically my middle fingers up song. Everyone has one of those, right? When I wrote it, it acted as a form of catharsis from a pretty rough period of time. I’m naturally a very trusting person and that landed me in some less than ideal situations that really impacted my mental health. But at the end of the day, when someone hurts you, they have to deal with the fallout from that and thank god you don’t! ‘Thank God!’ is an anthem for anyone who’s been f**ked over and made it through to the other side.
Where was it recorded? Any behind the scenes stories from that experience?
It was very much a lockdown recording. I worked with Producer Patch Boshell, so would send him the demo and he would work his magic on it and send it back to see what I thought and then onto mixer Dom Morley and it all sort of went along like that. All the vocals and backing vocals were recorded in my bedroom in London. Some nice lockdown noise for all the neighbours!
You grew up above a pub in the heart of London, right in the middle of Borough Market. It’s quite a lively place to grow up - do you feel it influenced the person you are now?
100%. So much of who I am comes from the community in Borough Market and although it’s now a big tourist spot, there are so many people who run the local businesses and live in the area who I’ve known my entire life. There is this huge mix of generations with different experiences who all come together regularly and I think that’s really special. We’re a big crazy family and have been through a lot together; it’s a bond I can’t really put into words but I can say it’s unique and wonderful and it’s influenced so much of who I am now.
What are your earliest musical memories?
I can remember being allowed to stay up late to watch Top of the Pops when I was about three and I used to stand right in front of the telly and dance along to every song. My dad tells me that he knew music would be something I followed when he came down stairs and I was playing the Middlesbrough FC song Pigbag (he’s a smoggy) through my nose with a recorder whilst hopping on one leg. I couldn’t tell you what possessed me to do that but there we go!
You are a big fan of David Bowie, tell us a bit more about that?
Yes, yes, yes! I started playing piano when I was ten, and I had an easy to play rock book and my dad noticed that I wouldn’t stop playing Life on Mars, so he got Hunky Dory out and played me the song. I’ve been obsessed ever since. I loved how big the production was and how the lyrics seemed to make no sense yet still seem to be incredibly meaningful at the same time. Nothing was ever on the nose with him and he was always a step ahead. Even his death was a piece of art and that is just astounding to me. He’s the guy who made being different not just okay, but bloody cool, and like so many others that resonated with me from day one of hearing his voice.
Apart from Bowie - who are your other key musical influences?
The 1975 and Rex Orange County are huge influences for me. This idea of taking the sad times and turning them into upbeat and uplifting songs is really appealing to me. I suppose I want to be told the truth when I listen to music, but I almost want to be protected by the optimism of the major key whilst it’s happening to make it easier and that’s what these artists do so well. Maybe protected is the wrong word – just a sense that things get better because they do! A recent influence for me is definitely Yungblud; I’ve been playing ‘Weird!’ on repeat. He’s a fellow ADHD kid so something about the raw energy and emotion that comes with that really speaks to me.
How would you describe your sound to someone who has never listened to you before?
I would describe my sound as a pop/rock infusion bringing with it a whole lot of honesty and energy. It’s definitely got a bit of a Lily Allen-esque London sensibility to it whilst capturing the infectiousness of a 1975 record.
Now your new track is out there, what next for you?
I’ve got another track in the works at the minute that should be out in the not too distant future and then I’ll be working on the release of my first EP! I’ve got loads of songs that I’m bursting to share so hopefully it will be a music filled 2021.