Billie Marten

Last updated

Billie Marten
Katie Silvester Billie Marten LP4 NBM Press 2.jpg
Billie Marten in 2023
Background information
Birth nameIsabella Sophie Tweddle
Born (1999-05-27) 27 May 1999 (age 24)
Ripon, England
Genres Acoustic
Instrument(s)Guitar, piano
Years active2014–present
Labels Fiction
Website billiemarten.com

Isabella Sophie Tweddle (born 27 May 1999), better known under the stage name Billie Marten, is a British singer-songwriter and musician from Ripon in North Yorkshire. Her stage name came from her family's desire to keep her real name private because her music career started when she was a tween. [1] She first came to prominence at the age of twelve when a video on YouTube of her singing garnered thousands of views.[ citation needed ] She released her first EP at the age of fifteen in 2014, and her second EP a year later. At the end of 2015, she was nominated for BBC's Sound of 2016 award. She has since released four full-length albums: Writing of Blues and Yellows, Feeding Seahorses by Hand, Flora Fauna, and Drop Cherries , all of which have received critical acclaim. Her style can be described as singer-songwriter and folk.

Contents

Early life

Isabella (or "Billie") Tweddle was born 27 May 1999 at a home in Risplith [2] in North Yorkshire. [3] [4] [5] She began playing guitar and singing when she was seven or eight, [6] [7] and started writing songs soon afterwards. [8] By the age of nine she had her own YouTube channel on which she posted covers of pop songs, mostly for the benefit of her grandparents who live in France. [8] When she was twelve she performed some music sessions for a local Yorkshire based YouTube channel called Ont' Sofa. [9] Among the songs she performed was a cover version of Lucy Rose's "Middle of the Bed", which quickly received thousands of views. [9] In a later interview Marten said "I didn't understand how quickly it could spread. I was super young and it was crazy." [10] She was educated at Ripon Grammar School. [11] She has a brother who is 10 years older than her. [12] Her father is a copywriter and her mother is a teacher. [13] With the money she received after signing a record deal with Sony at age 16, she purchased a Series One Land Rover Defender. [14] Because she did not yet have a driving licence, her father drove the vehicle. [15]

Music career

In May 2014, just before her fifteenth birthday, Billie Marten released the single "Ribbon" via Burberry's curation program. [16] [17] She wrote the single with Fiona Bevan the previous year. [7] According to Marten, one theme of "Ribbon" is "the elusiveness of the city, and how quickly you can lose something amongst the people and tube stations." [7] In June 2014 she released her debut EP Ribbon. [18] In August 2014 Marten played the BBC Introducing stage at the Reading Festival. [19] She described her music in December 2014 as "a mix between acoustic and quite folky and a little indie." [20]

In January 2015 Billie Marten signed to Chess Club Records, a division of Sony Music and their RCA Records recording label. [21] [22] She released the single "Heavy Weather" in April 2015 which premiered on Huw Stephens' BBC Radio 1 show. [17] A 7" vinyl version of "Heavy Weather" was released in May with her cover version of Royal Blood's "Out of the Black" on the B-side. [17] She released the single "Bird" in September 2015. [23] She wrote the song with Olivia Broadfield, and according to Marten, the song is about "how words can truly affect people, not always for the right reasons". [8] She toured for the first time in October 2015 as the supporting act for Lucy Rose. [11] Marten released her second EP As Long As in November 2015. [22]

In November 2015 she was nominated for the BBC Sound of 2016. [19] [24] She released her first full-length album, Writing of Blues and Yellows, on 23 September 2016.

In 2018 Marten's "Blue Sea, Red Sea", which was released as a single for her second album, featured as Annie Mac's hottest record on Radio 1. [25] Her second LP, Feeding Seahorses by Hand, was released 26 April 2019. In 2019; Sony's boutique label, Chess Club, which Marten had previously released two albums and several EPs under, dissolved, leading to her separation from Sony. [26] She expressed frustration with the large amount of money that record labels earn from streaming music, leaving artists struggling financially, saying, "Most people I know that have a top 10 album right now are on Universal Credit,". She described being dropped by Sony as "the best day of my life...This was my saving grace." [27] She later signed with Fiction Records in 2020 during mandatory lockdown orders in the United Kingdom. [28]

In January 2021, Marten announced her third album titled Flora Fauna, which released 21 May 2021. [29] In January 2023, she announced her fourth studio album titled Drop Cherries . Marten explained that the title alludes to dropping everything to express your love for a person. The album was released on 7 April 2023. [30]

Musical Influences

She cites Damien Rice and Nick Drake among her musical inspirations. English singer songwriter, Lucy Rose was one of her influences during her adolescence. [31]

Personal life

At aged 18, Marten was diagnosed with severe seasonal affective disorder (SAD), causing some depression and anxiety. [25] After her first album and touring campaign concluded, Marten got a job working in a London pub for several months; this job served as inspiration for the song, "Toulouse" from her second album. The title refers to Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, a French illustrator. Her favorite book is The Stranger by Albert Camus. [32]

Marten attended university for English Literature but decided to disenroll after six weeks. During the time she was enrolled, she continued pursuing her musical career by touring but also attended university twice a week - on Mondays and Fridays. She recalls losing sleep over reading Oliver Twist. However, Marten described this period, in a 2019 podcast with Kate McGill, as feeling discouraged by the lack of feedback on her work, and by classmates who came unprepared and didn't show interest in assignments. [33]

Marten resides in London with her partner, Will Taylor of Flyte. During 2020, she briefly moved back to her parents' home in North Yorkshire for 6 months due to the mandatory COVID-19 lockdown in the United Kingdom. Her time spent in Yorkshire during lockdown served as inspiration for her third album. [34]

Her single, "Ribbon", released from her debut EP of the same name, was inspired by her train journeys from Yorkshire to London to perform at concerts when she was a teenager. Her mother is Christian and her father is an atheist; Marten was raised with different views on religion and does not follow a particular religion. [35] She cities Robin Hood's Bay, a small fishing village in Yorkshire, as one of her favorite places in the world. [36] Marten is left-handed. [37]

Discography

Studio albums

TitleDetails
Writing of Blues and Yellows
  • Released: 23 September 2016
  • Label: RCA
  • Format: CD, vinyl, digital download
Feeding Seahorses by Hand
  • Released: 26 April 2019
  • Label: RCA
  • Format: CD, vinyl, digital download
Flora Fauna
  • Released: 21 May 2021 [29]
  • Label: Fiction
  • Format: CD, vinyl, digital download
Drop Cherries
  • Released: 7 April 2023
  • Label: Fiction
  • Format: CD, vinyl, digital download

Extended plays

TitleDetails
Ribbon [38]
  • Released: 23 June 2014
  • Label: Spilt Milk Records
  • Format: Digital download
As Long As [23]
  • Released: 13 November 2015
  • Label: Chess Club Records
  • Formats: 10" vinyl, Digital download
Acoustic EP [39]
  • Released: 10 November 2021
  • Label: Fiction
  • Formats: Digital download

Singles

YearTitleAlbum
2014"Ribbon"Ribbon
2015"Heavy Weather"Writing of Blues and Yellows
"Out of the Black"
"Bird"
"As Long As"As Long As
2016"Milk & Honey"Writing of Blues and Yellows
"La Lune"
"Lionhearted"
"Live"
2018"Mice"Feeding Seahorses by Hand
"Blue Sea, Red Sea"
2019"Betsy"
"Cartoon People"
"swear 2 g-d"Non-album single
2020"Orange Tree"Happy Place
2021"Garden of Eden"Flora Fauna
"Creature of Mine"
"Human Replacement"
"Liquid Love"
2023"This Is How We Move"Drop Cherries
"Nothing But Mine"
"I Can't Get My Head Around You"
"God Above"

Music videos

TitleYearDirectorRef.
"Ribbon"2014– [40]
"Heavy Weather"2015Daniel Broadley [41]
"Bird"Franklyn Banks [22]
"Milk & Honey"2016Rob Brandon [42]
"La Lune"2016 [43]

Awards and nominations

YearOrganisationAwardResult
2016 BBC Sound of...2016 [24] Nominated

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Billie Joe Armstrong</span> American rock musician (born 1972)

Billie Joe Armstrong is an American musician who is the lead vocalist, guitarist, and primary songwriter of the rock band Green Day, which he co-founded with Mike Dirnt in 1987. He is also a guitarist and vocalist for the punk rock band Pinhead Gunpowder, and provides lead vocals for Green Day's side projects Foxboro Hot Tubs, the Network, the Longshot and the Coverups. Armstrong has been considered by critics as one of the greatest punk rock guitarists of all time.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Billie Piper</span> English actress and former singer and songwriter

Billie Paul Piper is an English actress and former singer. She initially gained recognition as a singer after releasing her debut single "Because We Want To" at age 15, which made her the youngest female singer to enter the UK Singles Chart at number one; her follow-up single "Girlfriend" also entered at number one. In 1998, Piper released her debut studio album, Honey to the B, which was certified platinum by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI). Her second studio album, Walk of Life, was released in 2000 and spawned her third number-one single, "Day & Night". In 2003, Piper announced that she had ended her music career to focus on acting.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vampire Weekend</span> American indie rock band

Vampire Weekend is an American rock band from New York City, formed in 2006 and currently signed to Columbia Records. The band was formed by lead vocalist and guitarist Ezra Koenig, multi-instrumentalist Rostam Batmanglij, drummer Chris Tomson, and bassist Chris Baio. Batmanglij departed the group in early 2016 but has continued to occasionally contribute to subsequent albums as a songwriter, producer, and musician.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lykke Li</span> Swedish singer (born 1986)

Li Lykke Timotej Zachrisson, known as Lykke Li, is a Swedish singer, songwriter, model and actress. Her music often blends elements of indie pop, dream pop and electronic. Her debut studio album, Youth Novels, was released in 2008, and has been followed by Wounded Rhymes (2011), I Never Learn (2014), So Sad So Sexy (2018), and Eyeye (2022). She is best known for her biggest hit single to date, "I Follow Rivers".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Zara Larsson</span> Swedish singer and songwriter (born 1997)

Zara Maria Larsson is a Swedish singer and songwriter. She first rose to prominence in 2008 after winning the second season of Talang, the Swedish version of the Got Talent format. She later attained international recognition with singles including "Lush Life" (2015), "Never Forget You" (2015), "Girls Like" (2016) with Tinie Tempah, "This One's for You" with David Guetta, "Ain't My Fault" (2016), "Symphony" (2017) with Clean Bandit, "Ruin My Life" (2018) and "On My Love" (2023) with David Guetta.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alice Glass</span> Canadian singer and songwriter

Margaret Osborn, known professionally as Alice Glass, is a Canadian singer and songwriter. She is the co-founder and former frontwoman of the electronic band Crystal Castles. In 2014, she embarked on a solo career. She released her eponymous debut EP in 2017. Her solo debut album, Prey//IV, was released in February 2022.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Paloma Faith</span> English singer and actress (born 1981)

Paloma Faith Blomfield is an English singer, songwriter, and actress. Her debut studio album, Do You Want the Truth or Something Beautiful?, was released in 2009 and was certified double platinum in the UK. The album spawned the singles "Stone Cold Sober", "New York", and "Upside Down", and earned Faith her first BRIT Award nomination in 2010.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ellie Goulding</span> English singer and songwriter (born 1986)

Elena Jane Goulding is an English singer and songwriter. After signing with Polydor Records, she released her debut extended play, An Introduction to Ellie Goulding (2009). Goulding's debut studio album, Lights (2010), debuted at No. 1 on the UK Albums Chart and was later reissued as Bright Lights, spawning three successful singles: a cover of Elton John's "Your Song", "Starry Eyed", and "Lights". Her second studio album, Halcyon (2012), was preceded by the lead single "Anything Could Happen". Halcyon Days (2013), a repackaged edition of Halcyon, produced the single "Burn", which became her first No. 1 single in the UK. Following her third studio album, Delirium (2015), and its lead single "On My Mind", Goulding received her first Grammy Award nomination for Best Pop Solo Performance for her single "Love Me like You Do".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sky Ferreira</span> American singer-songwriter, model, and actress (born 1992)

Sky Tonia Ferreira is an American singer-songwriter, model, and actress. As a teenager, Ferreira began uploading videos on Myspace of herself singing songs she had written, which led to her discovery by producers Bloodshy & Avant and a recording contract with Parlophone in 2009. She released her first extended play, As If!, in 2011, which combined elements of electropop and dance music. Ferreira's second EP Ghost (2012), however, incorporated pop with more stripped-down song structures and featured collaborations with Jon Brion and Shirley Manson, as well as the critically acclaimed track "Everything Is Embarrassing", which she composed with Dev Hynes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Florrie</span> English pop singer-songwriter, drummer and model

Florence Ellen Arnold, better known as Florrie, is an English pop singer-songwriter, drummer and model. Closely associated with the Xenomania production house, since joining as their in-house drummer in 2008 she has played live and on record for popular artists such as Kylie Minogue, Girls Aloud and the Pet Shop Boys.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Grimes</span> Canadian musician (born 1988)

Claire Elise Boucher, known professionally as Grimes, is a Canadian musician, singer, songwriter, and record producer. Her early work has been described as extending from "lo-fi R&B" to futuristic dance-pop, and has incorporated influences from electronic music, hip hop, and rock. Her lyrics often touch on science fiction and feminist themes. She has released five studio albums.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lucy Rose</span> English musician

Lucy Rose Parton is an English singer-songwriter. Her career as a musician began in 2012 with her first studio album Like I Used To and she has released four more records since, with her fifth studio album due out in April 2024.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Charli XCX</span> English singer and songwriter (born 1992)

Charlotte Emma Aitchison, known professionally as Charli XCX, is an English singer and songwriter. Born in Cambridge and raised in Start Hill, Essex, she began posting songs on Myspace in 2008, which led to her discovery by a promoter who invited her to perform at warehouse raves. In 2010, she signed a recording contract with Asylum Records, releasing a series of singles and mixtapes throughout 2011 and 2012.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Little Simz</span> British rapper, singer and actress (born 1994)

Simbiatu "Simbi" Abisola Abiola Ajikawo, better known by her stage name Little Simz, is a British rapper, singer and actress. She rose to prominence with the independent release of her first three albums: A Curious Tale of Trials + Persons (2015), Stillness in Wonderland (2016) and Grey Area (2019), the last of which was shortlisted for the Mercury Prize and won the awards for Best Album at both the Ivor Novello Awards and the NME Awards.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">FKA Twigs</span> English singer and dancer (born 1988)

Tahliah Debrett Barnett, known professionally as FKA Twigs, is a British singer, songwriter, and dancer. She was a backup dancer for numerous musicians, and made her musical debut with EP1 (2012). Barnett's debut studio album, LP1 (2014), reached number 16 on the UK Albums Chart and number 30 on the US Billboard 200. It was nominated for that year's Mercury Prize. She released the EP M3LL155X (2015) and took a four-year hiatus, after which she released her second studio album, Magdalene (2019). After signing with Atlantic Records, she released the mixtape Caprisongs (2022). Her work has garnered acclaim and has been described as "genre-bending", drawing on various genres including electronic music, trip hop, R&B, and avant-garde.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Emma Ruth Rundle</span> American singer

Emma Ruth Rundle is an American singer-songwriter, guitarist and visual artist based in Portland, Oregon. Formerly of the Nocturnes and Marriages, she has released five solo albums and is a member of Red Sparowes.

Alexandra Lilah Denton, known professionally as Shura, is an English singer, songwriter and record producer. She is known for her work in the genres of electropop and synth-pop.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ocean Eyes (song)</span> 2016 single by Billie Eilish

"Ocean Eyes" is a single by American singer Billie Eilish and was released as the lead single from her debut EP, Don't Smile at Me, and the soundtrack album to the film Everything, Everything (2017). The song was written and produced by Eilish's older brother, Finneas O'Connell, and was originally written for his band. Finneas gave the song to Eilish for her dance performance after realizing the song suited her vocals. It was originally released on SoundCloud on November 18, 2015, but was later re-released commercially on November 18, 2016, as a single through Darkroom and Interscope Records.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Billie Eilish</span> American singer-songwriter (born 2001)

Billie Eilish Pirate Baird O'Connell is an American singer and songwriter. She first gained public attention in 2015 with her debut single "Ocean Eyes", written and produced by her brother Finneas O'Connell, with whom she collaborates on music and live shows. In 2017, she released her debut extended play (EP), Don't Smile at Me. Commercially successful, it reached the top 15 of record charts in numerous countries, including the US, UK, Canada, and Australia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Snoh Aalegra</span> Swedish singer (born 1987)

Snoh Sheri Nowrozi, better known by her stage name, Snoh Aalegra, is a Swedish singer-songwriter. Her debut album Feels was released in 2017, followed by Ugh, Those Feels Again in 2019.

References

  1. ↑ ""I'm exploring people seeing me in a naked light": Billie Marten on finding peace in self-acceptance". hungermag.com. 26 July 2023. Retrieved 16 April 2024.
  2. ↑ "Billie Marten interview: 'Most people I know with a top 10 album are on Universal Credit'". The Independent. 19 May 2021. Retrieved 16 April 2024.
  3. ↑ "Tweddle – England & Wales Births 1837–2006". Genes Reunited. Retrieved 10 January 2016.
  4. ↑ "Billie Marten". rateyourmusic.com. Retrieved 10 January 2016.
  5. ↑ "WILD Profile: Billie Marten". The WILD. 18 August 2014. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 10 January 2016.
  6. ↑ "The sky's the limit". Ripon Grammar School. Retrieved 10 January 2016.
  7. 1 2 3 "Joie Featured Artist: Billie Marten". Joie. 18 July 2014. Archived from the original on 8 May 2016.
  8. 1 2 3 "Billie Marten (Acoustic)". Rough Trade Events. Archived from the original on 15 November 2015. Retrieved 19 January 2015.
  9. 1 2 "Interview with…Billie Marten". Bitter Sweet Symphonies. 26 October 2015.
  10. ↑ "Interview: Billie Marten". Source Magazine. 19 October 2015.
  11. 1 2 "Billie Marten looks set for stardom". The Northern Echo. 2 November 2015.
  12. ↑ Postema, Saskia (21 May 2021). "Billie Marten Is Blooming In Nature". Notion. Retrieved 16 April 2024.
  13. ↑ "Billie Marten interview: 'Most people I know with a top 10 album are on Universal Credit'". The Independent. 19 May 2021. Retrieved 16 April 2024.
  14. ↑ Nast, Condé (5 April 2023). "Billie Marten: "The smell of famous people is shocking to me"". British GQ. Retrieved 16 April 2024.
  15. ↑ Daniels, Maisie (1 July 2021). "BILLIE MARTEN; WILD AT HEART". fword. Retrieved 16 April 2024.
  16. ↑ "Premiere: Billie Marten – Ribbon". Hunger TV. 16 May 2014. Archived from the original on 23 September 2017. Retrieved 10 January 2016.
  17. 1 2 3 "Billie Marten – "Heavy Weather" (Stereogum Premiere)". Stereogum. 6 April 2015.
  18. ↑ "Billie Marten – New Music "Introducing"". Just Music I Like. 16 June 2014. Archived from the original on 23 September 2017. Retrieved 10 January 2016.
  19. 1 2 "BBC Music Sound Of, 2016 – Billie Marten". BBC Music. Retrieved 10 January 2016.
  20. ↑ "Sound Scout: Meet Billie Marten, the Songbird That's About to Soar Straight to the Top". Teen Vogue. 5 December 2014.
  21. ↑ "Signing: Billie Marten". Chess Club Records. Archived from the original on 10 March 2016. Retrieved 22 January 2016.
  22. 1 2 3 "Billie Marten – "Bird" Video". Stereogum. 14 October 2015.
  23. 1 2 "Billie Marten shares enchanting new single "Bird" ahead of new EP". The Line of Best Fit. 23 September 2015.
  24. 1 2 "BBC Sound of 2016 longlist announced". The Telegraph. 30 November 2016.
  25. 1 2 "Billie Marten: Having SAD made me write the happiest pop song – BBC News". Bbc.co.uk. 6 December 2018. Retrieved 9 May 2020.
  26. ↑ "Billie Marten interview: 'Most people I know with a top 10 album are on Universal Credit'". The Independent. 19 May 2021. Retrieved 16 April 2024.
  27. ↑ "Billie Marten interview: 'Most people I know with a top 10 album are on Universal Credit'". The Independent. 19 May 2021. Retrieved 16 April 2024.
  28. ↑ Daniels, Maisie (1 July 2021). "BILLIE MARTEN; WILD AT HEART". fword. Retrieved 16 April 2024.
  29. 1 2 Krol, Charlotte (28 January 2021). "Billie Marten announces new album Flora Fauna with rollicking single 'Garden Of Eden'". NME . Retrieved 29 January 2021.
  30. ↑ "Billie Marten Announces New Album 'Drop Cherries'". Stereogum. 19 January 2023. Retrieved 21 February 2023.
  31. ↑ "Teenage kicks as Billie supports Lucy Rose on tour". The Irish News. 23 October 2015. Retrieved 16 April 2024.
  32. ↑ "Billie Marten: Human Nature". The Line of Best Fit. Retrieved 16 April 2024.
  33. ↑ We Dive Deeper Podcast: BILLIE MARTEN - Being A Musician, Seasonal Affective Disorder & Social Media , retrieved 11 October 2023
  34. ↑ Daniels, Maisie (1 July 2021). "BILLIE MARTEN; WILD AT HEART". fword. Retrieved 16 April 2024.
  35. ↑ Postema, Saskia (21 May 2021). "Billie Marten Is Blooming In Nature". Notion. Retrieved 16 April 2024.
  36. ↑ "AN INTERVIEW WITH BILLIE MARTEN". LAST BUS MAGAZINE. Retrieved 16 April 2024.
  37. ↑ Townsend, Bobby (12 May 2021). "Billie Marten Talks Flora Fauna". Something You Said. Retrieved 16 April 2024.
  38. ↑ "Ribbon (2014)". 7digital. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 11 January 2016.
  39. ↑ "BILLIE MARTEN ANNOUNCES 'ACOUSTIC' EP". DIY.
  40. ↑ "Billie Marten Ribbon". NYLON. 23 June 2014.
  41. ↑ "Watch Billie Marten's brand new video for 'Heavy Weather'". The 405. 15 May 2015. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 11 January 2016.
  42. ↑ "Premiere: Milk & Honey by Billie Marten". VMA. 20 May 2016.
  43. ↑ "Billie Marten - La Lune (Official Video)". Youtube. 17 June 2016.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.