Becky Bowe, an upcoming singer/songwriter who draws influence from both Ella Fitzgerald and Alabama Shakes, took a little time to let us in on her artistic journey. Having won BBC One’s TV series Pitch Battle, and climbing to number 9 on iTunes charts, Bowe is only looking to move on up. But we wanted to hear more about where she came from, and just what pushed her on her latest release, “That’s How Love Works.” Check it out below:
How did you get your start?
I got my start with music when I started to play the keyboard around 8/9 years old. I realized I liked to sing along with my teacher playing and then I just was immediately drawn to singing. Music has always been my safe place where I can express myself the way I want.
Who or what has inspired your sound and latest track “That’s How Love Works?”
My track, “That’s How Love Works,” was heavily inspired by what first drew me into my love of old soul/jazz music, the legends like Ella Fitzgerald, Nina Simone, Frank Sinatra etc. That old sultry sound. The lyrical content came from a personal experience about my current relationship as we were facing a patch where we could have just broken it off but we WANTED it to work and fix it which I think is something that goes a miss these days as some people expect relationships to work and if they don’t then they give up but it’s all about working for it to work and I’ve always believed in that, that’s why this song is so important to me.
What would be your dream tour and why?
My dream tour would be…probably an intimate venue touring around the world with a full brass section surrounded by my friends either on backing vocals or in the band and just having a good old boogie. I’m best at performing when surrounded by people I know and that would be my dream tour.
Tell us about your writing process; any unusual quirks?
My writing process can be odd at times as ideas can come in so many weird scenarios…I.e the toilet being one!! I’m always writing notes on my phone too. I always write from personal experiences so if anything happens in my day I’ll always write it down later there may be a song out of it.
What’s your favorite song to cover?
As I gig around different venues I tend to sing covers quite often, recently my favorite cover to sing is ‘Killing Me Softly’ by Fugees or ‘Seven Nation Army’ by White Stripes as I do a jazz version of it and it’s just great to flip the song on its head.
If you were to create a “soundtrack to your life,” what songs would be on it?
Wow this is a hard one as I listen to SO much music. I guess my soundtrack of my life would be amongst these songs:
Dancing in the Moonlight – Top Loader (because this will always make me get up and dance)
I wish I Knew How it Would Feel to be Free – Nina Simone
Over My Head – Alabama Shakes
Nine in the Afternoon – Panic! At the Disco
You Send Me – Aretha Franklin
That’s Life – Frank Sinatra
Tears Dry on Their Own – Amy Winehouse