Introducing: SOAK
Hometown: Derry
Listen To: ‘Sea Creatures’ and ‘B a noBody’
In a generation where success is typically achieved by DJs and electronic music producers, the occasional acoustic artist appears to prosper. The dreamy, River Island-shirted, spray-on jean-wearing heart-throbs that audition for The X Factor may spring to mind – you know what we’re talking about. The ‘Cheeky Nando’s’ type, that go on and sing something soppy with a perfectly-coiffed quiff. However, towards the more incarnate end of the spectrum are composers such as Ben Howard and Birdy – artists who express sensitivity accompanied by their instrument. There’s a new edition: let us introduce you to SOAK.
SOAK (real name Bridie Monds-Watson), at the surprising age of just 18, is an emerging female talent hailing from Derry, Northern Ireland. The name SOAK is a portmanteau of ‘Soul’ and ‘Funk’, suggested to her by her supportive mother. Having first picked up a guitar at 14, and studied a Diploma in Music at college, she has now decided to focus on her music full time. Producers had advised her to move out of Derry if she was serious about becoming a successful artist. Yet through word of mouth, support from other emerging bands in Derry, and raw talent, she has grown to be an artist who has received promotion from BBC Radio 6, Zane Lowe, and who features on Radio 1 on a daily basis. She claims there is no intricate plan behind her success; being grateful and having a good measure of luck has been her catalyst.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VgaRm9j8SQI&w=740&h=422]
‘Sea Creatures’ is a single you may be hearing on Radio 1 at the moment. The track collectively reveals her musical identity: stripped-back, subtle production and a raspy, slightly vulnerable vocal. For a track like this, which has obtained very little instrumental production, poetic quality is important for success. The words seem somewhat of an antidote, even an outlet for SOAK. She has the ability to write prophetically, with a mature mind, beyond her years – a style of writing similar to Laura Marling. She discusses issues with a certain calmness, and she has the ability to point out the complexities of life through her music. She really has the talent to portrait internal conflict. ‘Sea Creatures’ tackles the issue of seeing a friend get hurt: “I don’t know what to say / it might make you worse”, “they tell you they love you / well they don’t mean it”.
‘B a noBody’ is a wonderfully eerie track, similar in style to Ben Howard’s latest chilling record ‘I Forget Where We Were’. The shadowy, Pink Floyd induced guitar cascade is met with an exquisitely croaky voice that expresses a story of its own. Perhaps SOAK’s style is alluding to an overlooked musical subculture in Ireland. After times of internal enmity, there is a wave of introspection through music in Ireland. This can be seen in a band also originating from Derry, Best Boy Grip, where a similar style of writing is embarked upon. Lyrical authenticity is a skill many songwriters struggle to achieve, but SOAK shows promise in abundance.
SOAK retains an ominous tone to her voice, which is somewhat intriguing. Young people are often hard to read, but when you listen to SOAK you experience an insight to her inner life. Her likeable, calm persona has gained her support, and her unique musical style has gained her critical acclaim. Watch out for this one.
Words by Aaron Spencer