[FEATURE] VIPER PRESENTS: BEA ANDERSON

Drawing influence from artists such as H.E.R., Lauryn Hill and Solange, Bea’s sound is fresh, uncompromising and a welcome addition to the UK R&B scene. Get familiar with this VIPER interview…

What five words define your sound?

Timeless, Nostalgic, Warm, Authentic & Intimate 

Tell me something unique about your creative process

So majority of my writing is live music based and that’s where the magic happens. My creative process usually has to start with a chord progression otherwise I can really struggle. My main vibe is almost writing from the music rather than accompanying the music, if that makes sense! 

Which song of yours would you like people to hear first?

Easy. Its the first song I ever released, but it honestly is my strongest. The song is so simplistic but effective, it really captures everything I want my music to do – connect, touch and move.

What inspired you to make that song?

Easy was made as an affirmation. The type of love I described in the song is one so precious, one that at the time I had never experienced. I wrote the song in hope that one day I’d experience it in the same way others had. 

What’s the most vulnerable you’ve allowed yourself to be when writing/making music? 

I recently wrote a song based on my mothers Alzheimers diagnosis which was the most vulnerable I’ve been in the studio. It really made me confront my emotions surrounding her and the process of grief. As hard as it was, its probably the most meaningful song I’ve written to date and I think a lot of people experiencing grief will definitely connect to it. 

What’s the best/worst experience you’ve had on stage?

My best experience was probably the last festival I performed at this summer, The Mayors first ‘Black on the Square’. It was so incredible to be apart of something so monumental – festival dedicated to afro and Caribbean culture. Not only was the stage huge, this was also the first time I had been asked to do a prime time interview.

What is your favourite song to perform?

Easy! Without a shadow of a doubt. I’m all about audience participation when I perform, and every time I perform this track the whole audience sings back to me!

Which artist/song/album made you want to make music?

I think Lauryn Hill’s – The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill always stands out to me. She made such a timeless album that to this day still is current. Her album was able to transcend into so many spaces because it was just great music and I honestly hope my music has a similar effect. 

What’s the meaning behind your name?

So, Bea is short for Beatrice. I was named after my mother’s grandma, who raised her in Jamaica. This lady was literally her favourite person in the world and she wanted to continue her legacy by naming me after her. 

If you weren’t making music, what would you be doing instead?

Probably something to do with young people. I love working with the next generation as It is so rewarding. They honestly are the next world leaders and the smallest effect on their lives can have the world of difference on the path they choose to take. 

What’s success to you?

Success to me equals happiness. I don’t believe success can be quantified materialistically, rather the feeling of inner peace. I believe theres a mental space you can reach where your ego no longer rules you, rather – love. I think that once you reach this space you’re almost in utter bliss, you take life in the waves that it comes, you release control and trust the journey of life. 

What moment in your life/career forced you to change direction?

After the second single, Pieces, in the campaign didn’t do as well as I wanted it to, I really had to rethink my strategy. The first single, Mirror Mirror, had done so well in gaining traction but the second didn’t have the same effect. As you can imagine it was hard not to become discouraged by this, but thankfully I was able to re strategise and get back on track. As a team we really had to think, how to we pull this back and pivot?

Where can people keep in touch with you? 

My main social media platform is Instagram, but you can catch me on all socials – my handle is @itsbeaanderson.