After the rousing response to her much-loved initial offerings 'Boy Bye' and 'Memories' this past year, Belgium-based artist BIRTHE is continuing her upward ascent with the shimmering new single 'Strangers'.
Adopting a bright and brass-filled aesthetic for her newest outing, 'Strangers' continues that innovative streak she has been on lately. With its smooth and alluring textures, soaring atmosphere, and her own compelling vocals at the helm, she is definitely one to keep a firm eye on for the months ahead as well.
So with the new single out now, we sat down with her to find out more about her origins and influences to date.
What was the first band or artist you fell in love with?
I think I'll have to say, Norah Jones. Her music always calmed me as a baby, so it's actually the first music I can remember. I think the first band/artist(s) I consciously fell in love with was Queen and Amy Winehouse.
Did you ever form a band when you were younger and if so, what did they sound like?
I did. I started performing when I was 14, so I've gained quite a bit of experience in that regard. First I was noticed by a local Belgian cover band who took me along to their performances for a year where I was allowed to sing a few songs as a guest. From there the feeling grew to form a band of my own. So I started band coaching, where I was brought together with musicians my age. I soon felt that I had more ambition so from there I set up my own cover band, where we played well-known classics, such as 'Sweet Child Of Mine', 'Back To Black, ‘Master Blaster’, ‘If I Ain't Got You’... When Covid happened, I started thinking about releasing my own music and that's how I ended up here. Now I perform as a solo artist and am accompanied by my own band.
What has been your primary inspiration in writing music?
My main source of inspiration is 'older' music. I like to base my work on the 50s, 60s, and 70s and combine this with contemporary influences. For example, I always work with strings and/or wind instruments in my music and I combine technology and real musical instruments.
In addition, I try not to think about it too much. Often spontaneous ideas pop up in my head.
What is a song you wish you had written yourself?
It varies from time to time because there is so much good music written already, but right now I can really relate to 'People Pleaser' by Cat Burns. Lyrically and musically this fits my music quite well.
If there was any moment in your career you could relive, what would it be?
Mhh, I would love to go back to my very first performance and do it with much more courage, control and confidence. I would also perhaps like to enjoy it more instead of putting pressure on myself. Although I wouldn't change anything about how everything went. I think that the growth process and learning from all my previous experiences brought me to where I am right now.
Which artist would you most love to share a stage with?
There are several artists I would like to share a stage with. A Belgian band that I’d like to share it with, that is separate from my genre, is Balthazar. I also think it would be fun to perform with Samm Henshaw or Jacob Collier.
And is there an artist you would love to collaborate with as well?
I would definitely like to collaborate with the artists I’ve just mentioned. Although I would like to add a few more artists to that list, such as Olivia Dean, Raye and Stormzy.
Where do you see yourself in five years time?
Difficult question. Of course I would love to tour by then and be on the biggest stages. But if there's one thing I've learned in the meantime, it's that I have to embrace the process and see where it takes me. Nevertheless, I continue to work hard to pursue this dream and continue to develop my music, but I'd like to live life as it comes.
BIRTHE's new single 'Strangers' is out now. Watch the new video below.
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