We had a chat with rising UK singer-songwriter Bella Gate about her unique style and new album ‘Gateway’
With the release of her gorgeously textured and immersive debut album Gateway, rising London based artist Bella Gate has showcased the most fully realised and fleshed out showcase of her sound to date, incorporating styles like jazz, alternative pop, and indie to craft a style that feels entirely her own and packed full of charismatic appeal and charm.
Preceded by singles like ‘Sleepwalking’ and ‘Hindsight’, the album encompasses a broad spectrum of sounds and ideas that feel illuminating and creative as they unfold, further cementing the artist’s status as one of the UK’s exciting shining lights in emerging music. We love the new album, and figured it made a great time to have a chat with Bella Gate to find out a bit more about her journey, her influences, and the the process of putting it together.
How long have you been making music?
I showed an interest in music from an early age. I remember singing from when I was around 3, playing piano from 8 or so and I started writing at 9. It was all pretty dire at that time but I was lucky enough to have access to a piano which I could play around with. I began to record at 16 and fell in love with production.
Why do you make music?
I think it’s pretty compulsive. As cliché as it may seem, it feels like something I have to do. I want to do it too though. Little things and big things inspire me to write and music keeps me sane.
What are your biggest influences?
The big three for me are David Bowie, Amy Winehouse, and Adele but like any musician, I listen to everything. I’ve been inspired by the weirdest things and I don’t pressure myself to make one type of music only. My taste is pretty transient and I like to go with the flow.
What would you say has been your best moment so far?
My recent album launch party at The Troubadour in London was amazing. The support acts were unbelievably talented, the vibe in the crowd was great, and the DJ was so good. I have such fond memories of that night, it was great for all the hard work to have paid off.
How would you describe your sound to somebody unfamiliar with it?
This is my least favourite question because I find it really hard to answer. I think I might be too close to the music to describe it. I use vague words like alternative, indie, and jazz-influenced but nobody ever seems to get a sense of the sound from those descriptors. I really am hopeless at describing my own music but I love it when fans describe it back to me.
What’s your dream “I’ve made it” moment?
I think winning the Mercury Prize would be the peak but I think my “I’ve made it” moment won’t be what I expect it to be because nobody’s ever is. When you see musicians being interviewed, that moment always seems to take them by surprise.
We love your new album ‘Gateway’, what more can you tell us about it?
Thank you so much! This album is such a stereotype in the sense that you spend the first two decades of your life writing your debut album (and usually a few months writing the second if you’re lucky). It is a messy album filled with messy emotions. Naturally, direction and cohesion came from production rather than songwriting because the writing spans 7 years.
What else do you have planned for the near future?
I feel ready to get collaborating now. I want to play and write with new people. I am settling back into life in my home town, London, after living in Edinburgh and Barcelona whilst doing my degree. I’m ready to set down some musical roots and to find a bunch of creatives to make art with.
And finally, who is your biggest fan right now?
A little birdie told me that Billie Eilish listens to my music in the shower.
