Bridie Monds-Watson, aka SOAK, ruffles through her suitcase, unpacking and repacking clothes, half a dozen books, magazines (including two copies of Clash), and an unwanted Pot Noodle, as her photo shoot concludes. It’s well-worn luggage, having spent the majority of 2014 in constant use.
After a year of festivals and tour support for George Ezra and Chvrches (who loved her so much they released her third EP, ‘Blud’), not to mention signing to Rough Trade, beginning work on her debut album and being embraced by Radio 1, the 18-year-old from Derry is reflecting on the chain of achievements that’s kept her so busy of late.
“I kinda look at everything as a step up towards…” she reflects, trailing off, thinking of her goal. “It’s not actually a final destination or anything; it’s just going towards something. Just keep going until you stop.”
That progressive spirit is audible across Soak’s four EPs, through which she evolves from hushed, tender acoustic ballads (recorded at home on a “crappy microphone” on free software) to majestic moments of ethereal beauty.
“I think it’s all just going to change all the time,” she says of her increasing confidence and development. “I don’t like to stick to something that will get boring for me after a while.”
Her sweet, breathy vocals are a constant throughout, however, and infuse her songs with an air of vulnerability. Her earlier work, SOAK explains, was entangled with personal anxieties and unspoken traumas.
“When I started out, it was just completely me kinda like explaining things to myself, and then to my parents, instead of actually discussing anything dramatic. I really didn’t like any of that. It just made me feel uncomfortable. I didn’t tell my parents anything. I could hide subject matter behind words and then I would just throw it out there and that would be it and I wouldn’t have to say anything else.”
Life on the road has brought its lessons, though, and with growing confidence and popularity has come a directness to her music – latest single ‘B A noBody’ is true emotions laid bare. “I don’t think I could release anything if any part of it wasn’t true,” she admits. “It wouldn’t feel right.”
Expect an album before summer, and more use from that suitcase in the meantime. We dare you not to fall for SOAK.
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WHERE: Derry, Ireland
WHAT: Ethereal, emotional folk
GET 3 SONGS: ‘Sea Creatures’, ‘Blud’, ‘B A noBody’ (video, above)
FACT: Soak’s team shares her calendar, as she often forgets her schedule. “It always works out though,” she says.
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Words: Simon Harper
Photo: Anna Victoria Best
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