Angry Girl, Honest Songs: Esme’s Emotional Core…
Esme Bridie, a singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist living in Liverpool, presents a captivating dichotomy. Beneath her seemingly sweet exterior lies a self-proclaimed ‘angry girl,’ a raw honesty that permeates her music.
With intricate guitar lines and deeply emotive vocals, Esme crafts songs that resonate with an intimate intensity. Her live performances further amplify this, drawing audiences into her personal world before unleashing the power of her driving band arrangements.
Following the success of her 2023 debut EP, Something In Your Teeth, which garnered support from prestigious platforms like New Music Friday UK, BBC 6 Music, BBC Introducing and recognition as an Unsigned Guides spotlight artist, Esme is carving out a unique space in the indie-folk landscape, appealing to fans of Julia Jacklin, Big Thief, Lucy Dacus, and Maddison Cunningham.
She recently caught up with Liverpool Noise’s Steve Kinrade to discuss her compelling artistry and the story behind her music…
Liverpool Noise: You’ve described yourself as a ‘self-professed angry girl,’ and this clearly resonates in your music, particularly in the raw honesty of your new EP, Saviour Complex. How do you balance that raw emotional intensity with the intricate guitar lines and melodic structures that also define your sound? Is it a conscious process, or does it come naturally?
Esme Bridie: It’s a bit of both, the emotional intensity comes natural to me as it feels like an outlet which is second nature to me now. However, I do think it is also a conscious choice I make not to shy away from saying something raw, brutal or harsh, which can sometimes feel uncomfortable. The musical elements are similar in that I’ll have a natural idea of how I want it to sound and come across and then I’ll work with my band mates to bring it to life in a way that reflects the story of the song.
Liverpool Noise: The track, Saviour Complex was inspired by a pattern you noticed in survival films, where a male character often steps in to save the day. Can you elaborate on how you translate such cinematic observations into deeply personal and relatable songs? And, in your opinion, what does it mean to subvert or challenge those tropes through your music?
EB: I went through a phase where I was watching a lot of survival films and TV series and I did notice this pattern. It started to annoy me a bit as I felt like the strong female characters were often overlooked and not given as good story lines. I kept on thinking about this idea of having a Saviour Complex in relation to these male characters and the idea just spiralled from there. I built the chorus around this idea and then in the verses I played with the details from the individual characters. Highlighting feminist issues like this through my music feels really important as it opens challenging conversations and gives me a way to take back some power as a woman.
Liverpool Noise: You’ve received significant support from BBC 6 Music, BBC Introducing, and New Music Friday UK, among others. How has this recognition impacted your journey as an artist, especially in the lead-up to the release of Saviour Complex and your headline show at ARC, Baltic? How has this support helped you grow as an artist?”
EB: The support I’ve received is so impactful as an independent artist, mainly because it gives me a push to keep going. It’s so nice to hear that someone liked the song, or is going to play the song on air or add it to a playlist, because I put so much work into the music and you never know how it’s going to go. A huge bit of recognition which has helped my journey has come from funding organisations such as Help Musicians and Liverpool City Council SIF funding. Without them I wouldn’t have been able to record and release my music including my latest EP Saviour Complex.
Liverpool Noise: Your live performances are described as ‘touchingly personal’ and ‘entrancing.’ With your headline show at ARC, Baltic coming up, how do you approach translating the emotional depth of your recorded music into a live setting, especially with the ‘driving band arrangements’ you’re known for? Who will be accompanying you? What can the audience expect from the show?
EB: I love performing live and I am so excited for this headline show! I have worked with my band to capture the recorded versions of the song. I think live, everything has an added energy to it, and sharing the stories behind the songs during the performance helps me to connect with the audience. My band mates are Jay Taylor (guitar), George Higgins (bass) and Sam Pierpoint (drums). We’ve been playing together for years now and it’s so special to feel like we just gel on stage. The audience can expect a show which takes them on a journey, upbeat moments, intimate moments and everything in between, including some surprises. It’s not one to miss!
Liverpool Noise: You’ve mentioned your connection to Liverpool, the river, and the seaside. How does your environment, especially your roots in the Wirral and your current base in Liverpool, influence your songwriting and overall artistic expression? Do you find that the city’s musical history has played a part in your musical journey?
EB: I grew up in the Wirral and live near the river now in Liverpool and I do feel very connected to the water, and the seaside environment. It’s a unique place! I love how Liverpool has an artistic energy through and through and the musical history here does make that feel even more special.
Liverpool Noise: With Saviour Complex drawing comparisons to artists like Olivia Rodrigo, Big Thief, and Lucy Dacus, you’re clearly carving out a space in the alternative and indie scene. What are your aspirations for the future, both in terms of your music and your career? Where do you see Esme Bridie in the next few years?”
EB: I definitely want to keep going in the alt/indie direction with my new music. I’m planning a solo uk tour in the autumn and I plan to just keep writing songs and see where it takes me. I’d like to play some bigger shows with my band and write with other artists…
Esme Bridie’s Saviour Complex is available now on your streaming distribution of choice via Apollo Distribution.
To celebrate Saviour Complex, Esme Bridie plays a headline show at ARC 17.04.25, with tickets available here.
Follow Esme Bridie on Instagram @esmebridie and TikTok @esmebridie for updates.
