We often think of boredom as the antithesis of creativity. But for Amber Strawbridge (aka Bored at My Grandmas House), it was the luxury of spare time that spawned both her music and moniker. An idle day rifling through vintage synths in her grandma’s attic led the now Leeds-based artist to conclude that a musical career might be more than a way of whiling away the hours.
‘Skin’, the Cumbrian native’s second release, is a break-up track. But unlike most musings on this theme, there’s no attribution of blame. The 20-year-old is instead searching for an explanation. Strawbridge “can’t explain what’s in my head” but is struggling to open up with her partner. So, like any good artist, she wrote a song about it instead. In this medium, Bored at My Grandmas House has less difficulty expressing her vulnerabilities, even if she acknowledges the insincerity of resorting to clichés: “it’s not you” (it’s me).
In the internet age, poster-clad bedrooms have become the recording studio of the self-starting musician. Strawbridge taught herself drums, piano, and guitar and this authenticity no doubt makes itself known in her music. The mist of electric guitar and drumbeats which envelope dusky vocals would not sound out of place in an echoing arena. Still, they remain equally at home in a sticky-floored grassroots venue. True, there’s a helping hand from Alex Greaves (Working Men’s Club) who co-produced the upcoming EP, but it’s a track which feels authentically home spun.
The artist is set to release her debut EP in February, titled Sometimes I forget you’re human too (Clue Records). It’s a good time to be a break-through shoegaze artist; Girl in Red’s indie pop has propelled her to a nomination for the BBC Sound of 2021 award. Meanwhile, indie fans are aching for new music from Wolf Alice. On the evidence of her first two singles, it looks like Bored at My Grandmas House might just fill that Ellie-Rowsell sized hole.
Words by Adam Goldsmith
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