Bess Atwell

Bess Atwell first drew notice from U.K. music writers through her appearances at festival showcases in 2015, thanks to a warm and pure vocal tone paired with clear articulation that recalls the folk era of the early 1960s and figures such as Lucy Dacus, an artist she has named as an influence. Her debut full-length, Hold Your Mind, reached listeners in 2016 and featured sincere lyrics, gently flowing melodies, and arrangements that alternated between sparse acoustic settings and fuller electric-band configurations.

The musician, born Bess Hildick-Smith and based in Brighton, spent her early years in the English countryside amid a household of artists and songwriters. She initially favored fine art over music, following her mother’s example, even after her songwriter father arranged guitar lessons; by age 13 she had rediscovered the instrument and begun singing while composing her own material. After completing secondary studies at a private preparatory school on a drama scholarship, she started a university music program but soon withdrew to develop her craft outside academic structures. A run of performances at The Great Escape Festival in 2015 brought coverage from major British outlets, among them The Guardian.

Bull Nose Hoop Records issued Hold Your Mind in 2016. Airplay on BBC Radio One, Radio Two, and 6 Music opened touring routes that included slots at Green Man Festival and another appearance at The Great Escape Festival. Before turning to her next album, Atwell circulated a demo of “Grace” among labels and ultimately chose to proceed independently. She recorded with her regular band and producer Giles Barrett, whose prior credits include Johnny Flynn and the Spook School. The single “Swimming Pool” and an official release of “Grace” appeared in the second half of 2018.