Bess Atwell

Last updated
Bess Atwell
Born
Bess Harriet Hildick-Smith

(1994-09-24) 24 September 1994 (age 31)
Genres
Instruments
  • Vocals
  • guitar
Years active2016–present
Labels
  • Real Kind Records
Website www.bessatwell.com

Bess Harriet Hildick-Smith (born 24 September 1994), [1] [2] known professionally as Bess Atwell, is an English indie folk musician.

Contents

Early life

Atwell was born in South London and grew up in Cambridgeshire and Sussex. [3] She attended Brighton College, where she was a member of Seldon House. She began her studies at Falmouth University, but withdrew and moved to London for her career. [4]

Career

Atwell released her debut full-length album, Hold Your Mind, when she was just 19 years old. [5] [6] Atwell released her first EP three years later, titled Big Blue. [7] Atwell released her second full-length album in 2021 titled Already, Always. [8] In 2024, Atwell released her third full-length album, titled Light Sleeper. [9] The album was produced by Aaron Dessner, [10] who had reached out to Atwell inquiring about producing her next record. [9] [11] The album received positive reviews. [12] [13] [14]

Artistry

Having begun to learn guitar via Taylor Swift songs, Atwell attended a Johnny Flynn concert with a friend, which she considers the moment "I really became influenced by music, in a way that shaped me as my own artist". [3] Through Flynn, she discovered London's early 2010s nu-folk scene. As a teenager, she listened to the likes of Fleet Foxes, Bon Iver, Dry the River and Joni Mitchell, as well as Beach House, The National and Sharon Van Etten. [3]

In a 2019 interview, Atwell cited an admiration for women singers such as Julia Jacklin, Stella Donnelly, Phoebe Bridgers and Soccer Mommy. [15] Other artists Atwell has named include The Beach Boys, Gillian Welch, Lana Del Rey and Maggie Rogers. [15] [3]

Discography

Studio albums

TitleDetails
Hold Your Mind
  • Released: July 8, 2016
  • Label: Bullnose Hoop Records
Already, Always
  • Released: September 24, 2021
  • Label: Real Kind Records
Light Sleeper
  • Released: May 24, 2024
  • Label: Real Kind Records

Remix albums

TitleDetails
Already, Rearranged
  • Released: September 16, 2022
  • Label: Real Kind Records

Extended plays

TitleDetails
Big Blue
  • Released: May 24, 2019
  • Label: Mother's Milk Records
More Than Science
  • Released: August 30, 2024
  • Label: Real Kind Records

Singles

TitleYearAlbum
"Cobbled Streets"2016Hold Your Mind
"Swimming Pool"2018Big Blue
"Grace"
"Cherry Baby"2019
"Co-op"2021Already, Always
"Time Comes in Roses"
"All You Can Do"
"Nobody"
"Red Light Heaven"
"Sylvester"2023Light Sleeper
"The Weeping"
"Release Myself"2024
"Fan Favourite"
"Something Now"
"Where I Left Us"More Than Science

References

  1. "Bess Atwell". Apple Music. Retrieved 26 October 2024.
  2. "Bess Atwell". Creative Commission. Retrieved 26 October 2024.
  3. 1 2 3 4 "Bess Atwell Talks New Single "Co-op" And Self-Directing the Video". Wonderland. 2 March 2021. Retrieved 27 December 2024.
  4. "Bess Atwell (Se. 2006-13) Performs on European Tour 2020". 25 February 2020. Retrieved 26 October 2024.
  5. Long, Jen. "On the Rise: Bess Atwell". The Line of Best Fit . Retrieved 20 December 2024.
  6. "Bess Atwell Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved 21 December 2024.
  7. Harris, Karla (12 June 2019). "EP Review: Bess Atwell - 'Big Blue'". When The Horn Blows. Retrieved 20 December 2024.
  8. Mosk, Mitch (October 2021). ""Unapologetic, Evocative, & English": Inside Bess Atwell's Stirring Sophomore LP 'Already, Always'". Atwood Magazine. Retrieved 20 December 2024.
  9. 1 2 Douris, Raina; Perez, Miguel. "Bess Atwell on her latest album, 'Light Sleeper'". NPR Music . Retrieved 20 December 2024.
  10. Kelly, Tyler. "Bess Atwell announces Aaron Dessner-produced album, Light Sleeper". The Line of Best Fit. Retrieved 20 December 2024.
  11. Lu, Leah (26 April 2024). "Bess Atwell Is Learning To Be at Peace With Herself". Rolling Stone . Retrieved 20 December 2024.
  12. Way, Emma. "Bess Atwell "Light Sleeper"". The Line of Best Fit . Retrieved 20 December 2024.
  13. Harborn, Lucy (22 May 2024). "Bess Atwell – 'Light Sleeper' album review: a beautiful but safe effort". Far Out. Retrieved 20 December 2024.
  14. LaPierre, Megan. "Bess Atwell Cracks Open a Secret Door on 'Light Sleeper'". Exclaim! . Retrieved 20 December 2024.
  15. 1 2 La Torre, Michael (7 April 2019). "Artist Spotlight - Bess Atwell". Alt Revue. Retrieved 27 December 2024.