- Words Miriam Balanescu
Bedroom-pop artist bb sway dishes on her musical firsts, from fairy-inspired singles to skydiving and more.
Born in Hong Kong and based in London, bedroom-pop brainbox bb sway encapsulates a particular kind of wavy, wholesome vibe. Her sound feels like a summer breeze.
In 2019, bb broke out on the scene with her debut EP ‘cosy’, and since has followed up with a number of successful shoegazy singles, from “Baby Wants Out of the City” to “Bet You Know”.
Her career so far has seen her dancing with cows in the idylls of France for the visuals accompanying “I Found Out When the Day Had Come” to singing about being “10 Feet Tall” for her latest single.
This September, bb sway will package up another parcel of lo-fi goodness with the EP ‘Pearl’. The same month, she will also perform for her biggest headline show to date at Folklore in Shoreditch on Thursday 2nd September.
Notion caught up with the dreamy artist about her musical firsts, from words of encouragement from her mum to going to Taylor Swift gigs.
First song you ever made?
“Fairies in my Garden” – written at age twelve, when I took it upon myself to do up the overgrown corner of our backyard.
First song you released officially?
My whole ‘cosy’ EP, in 2019. We did a cute music video for “cook4u”, which follows me around as I do my weekly food shopping at Deptford market.
First CD or record you owned?
Jesse McCartney – ‘Beautiful Soul’. He was basically a Justin Bieber boy star, and I definitely wanted to be him rather than be with him. I still know all the lyrics by heart.
First time you realised you wanted to be an artist?
It’s hard to say… I was always a creative kid. I reckon the first real moment of motivation to be an artist involved my mama saying something really inspiring and encouraging. She has a real ability to make me feel like anything is possible.
First gig and first festival you went to? And the first festival you performed at?
First gig was Taylor Swift. First festival I went to was Clockenflap, and the first festival I performed at was ‘Street Music Festival’ in Hong Kong… A small independent music festival run by my friend’s dad.
First time one of your dreams came true?
Flying… Indoor Skydiving.
First instrument you owned?
A cute little Casio keyboard, with a bunch of pre-set songs. “La Cucaracha” played by MIDI trumpets was the primary soundtrack in our household for a while.
First time you felt like giving up?
Meeting up with my rich lawyer friends. Then I remembered that money isn’t the key to happiness.
First time you felt starstruck?
Probably seeing The Wiggles live.
First time you heard your song playing somewhere? i.e. on the radio, a shop, a Spotify playlist.
At my favourite local venue, Matchstick Piehouse in Deptford. It was a Goldsmiths event, and I heard “Rosie” playing on the speakers via an NX Records mixtape.