(Türkçe okumak için buraya tıklayabilirsiniz)
We had a pleasant conversation with Isabella Sophie Tweddle -stage name Billie Marten- who will be giving a concert at Zorlu PSM %100 Studio as part of Garanti BBVA Fall Concerts on Saturday evening, September 12.
Enjoy!
Hi Isabella, how are you? What are you up to these days?
Hi there, I'm very well these days, thank you. It's a happy time. I'm currently between tours so giving myself some much needed rest and getting very into pond swimming.
I've read that your stage name came from your family's desire to keep your real name private because your music career started when you were so young. But what was the reason for choosing the name "billie marten"?
It was a mutual decision designed to protect me a little at the start, we knew that it was no secret, but there was at least distance. I plain and simple took one of my favourite artists - John Martyn - and changed one letter.
What do you think has changed or developed musically between the first album "Writing of Blues and Yellows" and the latest album "Drop Cherries"?
As much as anyone changes in 8 years really, a whole lot. The core is very much the same though, one's true essence.
You once described your music as "a mix between acoustic and quite folky and a little indie" in 2014 after your debut EP. How do you describe it now?
Not describing my music at all is working for me quite well at the moment, it's almost a futile endeavour that we've started on, as people in a musical conversation. The first question is always, "Oh cool, what sort of thing is it?" and with the mundane answer they're given, they've lost all their intrigue. I'd rather people just listen to things now in a non-genre defying way.
Can you tell me if your musical journey is going the way you want it to?
My biggest fear early on was losing the love and intrigue and inspiration of making music, and that is far from happening, so for that I'm grateful that a career such as this has allowed me that freedom.
You will be in Istanbul for the second time to give a concert on September 21st, how do you feel?
I've always said that Istanbul was one of my favourite gigs ever, there was a palpable vulnerability that night, and I loved meeting the crowd after the show. Lots of people explained why this music was imperative to their lives, and that really moved me. I am very ready to return!
After the concert in 2019, is there anything you remember about the audience or the city?
As I said, such a beautiful crowd to play to and be with. I had a day to walk around the city, I visited the markets and was lucky enough to enter one of the Mosques. It's a beautiful city. My only early exposure to Turkey were early family holidays, and watching the film The Midnight Express. (Great film.)
Do you have any information about the music scene in Turkey? Do you know any bands from here?
My knowledge is very poor in that respect, although I do appreciate and respect Turkish music - I love the band Altin Gün!
Who are you listening to these days?
I play a lot of classical music on BBC Radio 3, I play it all day around the house while I'm being productive. Last week it was hits of the 2000s, because the production and overall songwriting, or abundance of *songs* thereof, is so plentiful. There is no listening constant.
Do you remember the first big break in your career? How did that make you feel?
Big break is an unknown concept to me, and for that I'm grateful because the gradual experience and recognition I've found has been peaceful and hard work and means life hasn't gone *too* quickly.
Is there anything else you are passionate about besides music?
I'm a passionate 'liver' now, staving off the urge to lie down and sleep days away. I now really enjoy the days off - my greatest basic loves are music, nature, animals, and culture (primarily philanthropy, books, film, art). In any country there are those things, so I'm passionate about exploring those categories until I'm dead.
What are your plans for the near future?
I'm desperately trying to learn the fiddle.
Thank you very much, finally, is there a message you would like to give to your listeners?
What a pleasure, thank you for listening!
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