Bess Atwell

Last updated
Bess Atwell
Birth nameBess Harriet Hildick-Smith
Born (1994-09-24) 24 September 1994 (age 30)
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

EPs

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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.
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