We chatted to Los Angeles based artist and songwriter BECK PETE about her new track "Gently Break It"....
We were recently sent the new track from L.A. based artist/songwriter Beck Pete, after listening to it, we wanted to get in touch with her to delve deeper into what went into the making of it. We had a great chat about relationships, uncomfortable situations and super-powers, read on to see how we got on.
Aside from the fact that you’re called Beck Pete, you live in Los Angeles and you’ve recently released a stunning track called “Gently Break It”, we don’t know that much about you, please introduce yourself to our UK followers….
This feels like on a first date when the random person who looks nothing like their photo from Bumble (an American dating site) sits down next to you at the bar and asks “so what should I know about you?”. Actually, this is helpful. I’m going to pretend this is a Bumble date, okay?
I am an artist and a songwriter, both together and separately. That takes up 90% of my time, brings me joy and defines my identity. I have big feelings. I eat In-N-Out Burger for every meal when I’m stressed out and/or when I’m heartbroken. Connection is more important to me than absolutely anything in the world and everything in my life is motivated by the want to experience authentic, energizing connection.
P.s. I’m single, are you surprised?
“Gently Break It” was mastered by Joe Laporta who has worked with the likes of Shawn Mendes, Leon Bridges & Imagine Dragons, what did you learn from him during the recording of the track?
I wish I would have been able to spend time with Joe in person (I want to be a part of the entire process and ask all of the annoying questions), but being across the country from him made that difficult. Remotely, however, without knowing, Joe taught me to be more trusting of the people that I work with. He made these songs the polished version they became, without me breathing down his neck. I KNOW, RIGHT?! WEIRD!
You mention that the only way that we will move forward in any capacity is to normalize uncomfortable situations, do you feel that there aren’t enough artists/musicians out there doing this? Or are maybe too afraid to do it?
I feel like no matter how many artists focus on sharing the message that it’s okay to show the most vulnerable sides of yourself, we will always need more. Each artist will share this message from a different angle and every individual will receive this differently. The more artists that communicate that they are passionate about any specific topic, and choose to address it, the more people will potentially be impacted.
However, I do think the motivation to shy away from vulnerability is fear. We are all afraid of the unknown. That shit is scary. When we don’t share things, that’s what our feelings are. That’s why we have to bring them to the light so we can see them more clearly before accepting them.
What made you want to sing about uncomfortable situations? Do you find that doing so helps you forget the past? like therapy?
As a society we are taught that we have to be “okay” or we will not be well-received. This is why people hide their pain. Their depression. Their heartbreak. Their reality. I did that in order to fit in well into my adult years, and the more that I hid these things, the bigger they became.
I feel that music exists to make us feel less alone in our feelings, whatever they may be, and I feel like the most imminent need is to address the negative ones because those are the ones that can be dangerous when not acknowledged. That’s why normalizing these things is important to me as a songwriter.
In reference to “forgetting the past,” that’s not something that I am at all interested in doing. The past is what made me a woman. The past is what made me strong. Forgetting it would not serve me… in contrast I actually feel like it helps me to REMEMBER where I’ve been and how cool it is that I have gotten past it. Yes, that, is like therapy for me.
The track really does take the listener on a ride featuring intricate hooky melodies and multiple musical scene changes all with an underlying indisputable element of soul, which band or artist made you want to start singing and writing songs in the first place?
The band that really made me start singing songs was Backstreet Boys. Backstreet Boys were my first teachers of how to manipulate my voice, sing harmonies and do a fancy run or two. Those are my boys forever.
Writing is a whole different story. Interestingly, the song “Almost Lover” by A Fine Frenzy set off something in my mind that signaled that maybe this was for me. I thought “this feels like the poetry I write. Could the poetry I write be made into songs?” Then I said, “Nah.” 3 years later I changed my mind.
Do you come from a musical family?
My family loved music and passed that on to me. They weren’t musicians by trade, but they definitely were the reason that I fell so deeply in love with music.
You’ve played some pretty iconic places in Los Angeles including The Hotel Café and the iconic Troubadour, which venue (anywhere in the world) would you really like to perform in and why?
The Gorge Ampitheatre, because I want to make as many people cry at the same time as possible and the scenery would help me accomplish that goal.
There are a million and one bands, acts and musical artists out there at the moment, please name me three that people should be checking out….
There are so many!!!
- LEON. Incredible, emotive vocals. Honest, catchy, clever songwriting. I haven’t heard a single song by her that I didn’t like.
- Lianne La Havas. Fantastic overall musician. Perfect combination of intelligent and poetic songwriting. Melody queen.
- Moses Sumney. Actually authentically creative. Incredible vocals and tone. Ability to lean into an extremely modern sound without losing the ability to make you feel.
I’ve never been to Los Angeles but hope one day to venture out there, where should I go to have dinner, sink a few beers and catch a live gig?
The Hotel Cafe, every time. I’m a weirdo energy person. The energy at The Hotel Cafe is already there before the artist steps on stage. I walk in and immediately feel like I can breathe again. The intimacy is refreshing and the talent is consistent. GO THERE!
Are you planning any shows outside of the USA in the future? If so, which country/countries would you really like to play and why?
The UK is the one place that I feel a real NEED to play immediately. I am coming to London in November! I have been chatting about shows out there so if you like what you hear, please stay on the lookout!
In the UK, bands say that they receive a different reaction from people depending on where they play in the country, do you get the same thing in the USA? Where do you get the best reception?
Oh, of course! So far, Los Angeles receives me best. LA surprisingly digs the feelings and the honesty. Let’s get everyone else on board!
Finally, if you could have a super-power for 24 hours, which would you choose and why?
Mind reading. So that I could call every man that I’ve ever loved and ask them questions. #closure
We'd like to thank Beck for sparing the time to chat to us and wish her every success for the future. If you're in London around November, keep your eyes on her social media for possible live shows!
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