DANCING THROUGH THE CHARM AND CHAOS: BEA AND HER BUSINESS ON 'RICH'

words: graciella clark

PHOTOGRAPHY: ELISE ABOTOMEY

Temper sat down with the incredible singer/songwriter Bea and Her Business, the captivating artist who has been turning heads with her sound and unique style and is cementing herself as the UK’s next breakthrough pop sensation. She has just released her new single ‘Rich’ that truly shines with her fun, witty and cheeky personality.
Known for exploring many musical boundaries, Bea and Her Business is carving her own path in the music industry. Her latest projects are gaining attention and her distinct voice is resonating with listeners. Bea and Her Business shares her insights into her latest single’s origins, creative process and meaning, and talks to us about what is next for her.

TEMPER: So you mentioned that ‘Rich’ is about the longing for freedom, fun and chaos, how do you typically find fun in your day to day life?
BEA: I try to go and do the things that I love. Hobbies, hanging out with mates and I just love to dance to be honest. I think whenever I’m dancing its very chaotic because I’m so uncoordinated. So I think that’s how I find fun in chaos. I don’t dance enough and I need to dance more. I mean nobody should see me dance because it is terrifying! But it’s definitely where I find the chaos.

T: Have you done any dancing to your new song ‘Rich’?
B: So much! Oh my god when I heard the first version of it I danced around in my bedroom naked about a hundred times, I just kept repeating the song over and over again. I was loving it! I think I was late to my session that day because I was dancing to ‘Rich’.

T: When comparing ‘Rich’ to one of your early singles such as ‘Born to be Alive’, how would you describe how you have progressed musically?
B: It’s weird. They are so different and I think that ‘Rich’ is very telling of my personality. It is quite fun, cheeky, sarcastic, unfiltered and raw, which I love. ‘Born to be Alive’ is obviously more of a beautiful ballad type song. It has that ascending melody and I guess I still want to be writing those ballads for sure. So in a sense I think musically I still want to be writing songs like ‘Born to be Alive’ and I have been working on those in the background, so I don’t think it’s a big change. But obviously between ‘Rich’ and ‘Born to be Alive’ a lot has changed. But all the music I’m working on currently hasn’t changed that much.

T: Do you think you are just tapping into new genres?
B: I think I’m just tapping into things. I’m a very chaotic person, I think I’m usually like “oh I’ll tap into this sound and this sound and this sound” and then I’m at that point where I’m like “ right get your head down, lock into one sonic, one blueprint”. 
I think I’ve really found that blueprint now which is exciting. I haven’t really shown it to people at all. I’m writing a lot at the moment. After this trip I’m off to New Zealand to write which is really exciting. I can’t wait.

T: Did you have any expectations for yourself when you were writing your latest single? Or did you just want to get it out there?
B: Oh yeah. I was like “Bea stop acting like a grandma. Get it out there. We need to go and dance. You need to live your life a bit more”

T: So speaking of the song being about acting your age what is the best way you have found yourself acting the way you should in your twenties?
B: Honestly just dancing! In your twenties I think you should be acting like you are in your twenties. It is kind of like that thing of just having no responsibility, obviously I have a lot of responsibility, but its about having no responsibility, like drinking and not caring about repercussions of a hangover or hanging out with your mates or your family. Just being very carefree and blasé. Just experiencing the world and life without anything pin you down at home. 

T: You are coming back to Australia in October to open for The Wombats, perform at some festivals and you've just announced headline shows. How are you feeling and what are you expecting?
B: I kind of have no expectations because its performing after a twenty five hour flight from home. It’s so far away from home and its so cool that I get to put on these shows. I just hope people can come, to be honest. That would be amazing, even if just one person showed up I’d be like “thank you, it’s so cool that you listen to my music.”
But I’m really excited for The Wombats shows, you know, its arenas! The biggest venues I will have ever performed in, so I guess I’ve just got to get the crowd going and hope for the best. I guess we’ll just play it by ear but it’s really cool I think. It will also be the first festival as well, it’s my festival virginity.

T: Are you doing anything to prepare to pop the festival cherry?
B: I’ve just got to get the crowd going, I’ve got to get people involved even if they don’t know the words and that sort of thing.

T: You should practice your dancing, it’ll draw them in.
B: Yeah yeah it’ll get them in.