Can you believe it’s the last day of May? Yes, it may be a bank holiday in the UK but that doesn’t stop our weekly dose of new music! ‘Love Me’ is the debut release from BIMM London’s Gemma Clarke. Take a listen and discover more about the track below.
What was your inspiration when you began writing the track?
The inspiration for ‘Love Me’ came from a realisation that I had never really experienced self-love before. I wanted to learn how to love myself on my own. I feel like people can often become dependent on a partner to give them validation for many things and I realised I had never really given myself the chance to enjoy being by myself.
Are there any artists that inspire you when writing?
Yes, definitely. Artists inspire me every day and the vocals in this track range from incredibly soft to very powerful. Billie Eilish inspired the softer side. Her voice is beautiful but not so over-polished, meaning you can still hear the emotion behind the lyrics.
I also wanted to include some power and growl as this is how I’ve been brought up singing. Taylor Momsen from The Pretty Reckless has an incredible growl, and it adds a really nice depth and a broad range of vocal affectations throughout the song. For the bridge, I wanted to strip back the instrumentation and have just drums and bass, which was mostly inspired by Anderson .Paak. This creates tension and release, emphasising the last chorus and making it memorable.
I am my own sound.
What is key to your sound and how do you make your music stand out?
I think the key to my sound is being authentic and soulful. I have a very live performance-based sound that stems from years of performing on stage. The thing about my music is I have inspirations but there is no specific artist that I sound like, I am my own sound. I have quite a deep and low voice for a woman, which I love exploring. I think it’s hard to put my music into a specific genre.
How does your songwriting process work?
This song has actually been a really long process. I started writing it with my friend last year, then I didn’t come back to it for a few months. During a lockdown, I reached out to a few friends to see if we could make it a reality. They all wrote their instrumental parts and we created the track virtually.
When I received feedback, we were told that the instruments and vocals sounded a bit disconnected so I waited until we could get in a room together and perform the song. The result was a complete change to the style of the song, which we all loved.
Describe your sound in 3 words…
Real, raw and powerful.
How has studying at BIMM helped you develop as an artist?
Studying at BIMM has opened many doors for me. It’s introduced me to many people, with whom I’ve been able to collaborate. This track would not have been possible without them. It has also enabled me to develop my skills as a singer and performer, whilst giving me access to feedback from industry professionals.
What’s next for you?
We have recorded a few more singles (to be released over the next few months) and I am currently recording for my EP which, will be released at the end of summer.
