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It's easy for it to become something that's not your passion anymore - An interview with BECAH on Industry Pressure and Independence

Northern Irish Indie Musician BECAH strips back and speaks candidly after her year long break from music, disclosing her perspective on industry pressures, leaving long term management, and her rebirth as an independent artist. 

By Sonia PanunziEditorial Writer

Photo Credit: Sonia Panunzi

London-based Northern Irish musician BECAH crafts a sound rooted in acoustic instrumentals and powerful lyricism.

In this interview, she opens up about her artistic rebirth, taking a wellness break, and breaking free from the ‘heartbreak singer’ label by reconnecting with her musical roots.

Now, she embraces independence with her first upcoming self-written and self-produced release as an independent artist.

Sonia Panunzi, Musicngear: How did your journey into music begin?

I was always a writer from an early age. If it wasn’t lyrics I was writing, I was dipping my finger in poetry or trying to write novels. Then I started learning guitar when I was seventeen, and at that stage, I tried to put my two loves together. I really wanted to learn how to mould the poems and things I was writing into lyrics, then started adding music to it.

From that point, it became a big interest, but I was quite shy as a teenager, so it wasn’t until I was around twenty that I picked up the confidence to put that music anywhere, externally.

Musicngear: When putting out your own music, had you written your own stuff, or was it cover songs?

I had written a few songs by that point, but I didn’t really have much confidence in backing my lyrics and guitar playing at the time. So, I was just playing in front of friends, and they were the ones encouraging me to try and go a bit further with it and start posting videos, which is what I did next.

One of the songs I had written, I posted on Facebook, and it received a really good response, and I had some local bars asking me to play. And it started from there.

The music I put out, while I am proud of it, was not authentically myself. When you're in it, you don’t see that at the time because I was told that was what was going to sell, what was going to work, and make music a career

Musicngear: What led you to the decision to leave management and go independent?

Creative differences, I would say. I think a lot of what music was for me completely shifted. I spent three years in management, and it became a job, something that was constantly difficult and full of pressure, as opposed to a passion and something I did because I cared about it and loved it. I hated the feeling of getting burnt out in something I loved so much, and I didn’t care about it the way I did before I joined management.

I think that had to do with the fact that a lot of attention was put on how I presented myself, my image, my hairstyle, what clothes I wore, what I posted on social media, how much I posted, figures on my social media. It was just constant, negative external influences. That led me to take a different direction and want to do things my own way.

I think the avenue I was being pushed down into, such as ‘the popstar’, was not who I ever was. I was always very much an acoustic singer-songwriter. The music I put out, while I am proud of it, was not authentically myself. When you're in it, you don’t see that at the time because I was told that was what was going to sell, what was going to work, and make music a career. What I was doing originally wasn’t going to get me places.

So yeah, I just needed to take a shift in direction, and we saw two different visions for my career.

Musicngear: Has your perspective on the industry changed after removing yourself from management?

I think since I’ve taken a year outside of music, I honestly settled on the fact that I wasn’t going to do it again. The industry can be really damaging to artists. There’s a lot of pressure for everyone to be doing the same thing and competing for radio play, gigs, attention from promoters, and people in the industry. I don’t like being part of something like that. I don’t like competing with my art that way, so to be honest, I think staying outside of that side of the industry, I will always try my best to do.

Just doing things the way I want to do them.

Musicngear: What led you to take a break from music? How did it affect you?

I think I recognise now, having had the break, that I was conditioned a certain way. Like I said, you don’t see it while you’re in it. I’ve slipped back into how I used to write and what my hopes were then. I never wanted to be a pop star or famous or have a big social media following. I even deleted some of my social media since taking a break, and it’s been really freeing. I’m not doing TikToks or Instagram posts, and I feel that it has opened up more creativity because I’m not hyper-focused on what everyone else is doing. I’m allowing myself to focus on my own stuff.

Musicngear: Do you feel you are approaching your music career differently now than before?

Yeah, I definitely do. I want to release things for myself because I want to share them, not because I want them to blow up and end up in Glastonbury. It’s not what I want. I want to do it because I love it, and I want to share my art and creativity with people like I used to. That’s what made me happy then, and it became something that didn’t make me happy anymore.

Musicngear: Do you feel refreshed creatively, and has your sound evolved?

I think I’ve leaned back into where I started, and that’s where I was comfortable and where I was my best creative self. I’ve stripped everything back, and it’s just me and the guitar. I think it sounds better, and yeah, I’ve gone back to my roots creatively, which I’m happy about.

Musicngear: How did your experience with management shape the way you approach your career now?

I think a lot of what I was taught has now made me do the opposite. While I can appreciate that social media presence is a big thing in the industry, it was never my sole focus or something I enjoyed doing.

If someone’s going to listen to your music, they will. I don’t think you need months of promotion before releasing a single, or at least I don’t think I would ever do that again. It wasn’t authentic to me, and it never felt right. It felt like I was begging people to listen to my stuff, and I never want to take that approach again. I’d like to do my own PR work and navigate things differently.

A lot of attention was also put on how I looked and having myself presented a certain way as a “cool” pop artist, and I don’t want to make it about how I look anymore. That will change when I release new music.

Musicngear: Has being independent changed your creative process?

I don’t feel pressure anymore. When you’re in management, there’s always a voice saying, “You need to write more new stuff,” or “Write something better than the last thing,” or constantly try to change your sound or lyric style. While that’s fine, you can’t always force yourself to write.

I have more space to write when I want and in whatever style I want. It’s giving me the opportunity to try new things, push boundaries with my writing, and try different styles because I want to.

The industry can be really damaging to artists. There’s a lot of pressure for everyone to be doing the same thing and competing for radio play, gigs, attention from promoters, and people in the industry

Musicngear: Where do you feel that you draw inspiration from when it comes to your music?

I’ve always drawn from life events, and I’m trying to learn to expand on that. I’ve always been a melancholy writer and written heartbreak songs, but now I’m delving into writing about different aspects of my life.

Musicngear: Do you feel that being in management, you were branded as ‘the heartbreak singer-songwriter’?

I think it was always what I was known for — writing sad songs. It became something expected of me, so I did feel pressure to write a certain way and write a certain type of song. I don’t feel that way anymore, which is why I feel I have that creative freedom to write about anything else.

Being branded definitely stunted my creative growth, as I was always told not to veer too far off the track I was on. It was limiting, and I was afraid to try new things or challenge myself because I was afraid it wouldn’t go well with management or the production.

It’s given me the opportunity to write in different styles and write about different experiences in my life.

Musicngear: Do you feel more freedom in how you might release and promote your music?

Yes. I never personally enjoyed releasing music before. I used to dread it because I really don’t love social media, and it’s a massive factor in promoting music. You’re told you have to release ‘X’ amount every day, do pre-saves, and deal with PR companies. There were financial elements that were stressful. I wouldn’t take the same approach this time around. I know I can do it myself without the same structure as before when I wasn’t independent.

Before management, I was contacting local radio stations and venues myself, and I had an Irish tour set up before COVID, which I did myself. I know I’m capable of doing that again.

If I could go back, I’d tell myself what I would tell others now: remember why you’re doing it. It’s easy for it to become something that’s not your passion anymore, something stressful that you’re doing for others, not yourself

Musicngear: When releasing future music, will we expect a tour from you again?

I don’t think I’ll try to go on tour again, but I will contact local radio stations and press. I may stretch out to areas outside of home now that I’m living in England.

I don’t love performing, as I don’t like how vulnerable I feel on stage. I’ve never enjoyed being on stage; it feels uncomfortable having so many eyes on you, especially when singing about heavy things. There’s also an expectation to speak and explain your songs while on stage, which I never felt comfortable with. I’m not a very good speaker on stage. I used to think it boiled down to my confidence, but after performing hundreds of times, I still never enjoyed the feeling.

If I could continue doing music without performing, I’d be happy with that. I don’t love performing in front of a crowd.

Musicngear: Where do you see your career going in the next few years?

I’m in the process of putting together a new EP titled EQUINOX PHOENIX, signifying the change I’ve had and a rebirth in my music. It represents a new vision and direction for myself. I’ve stripped everything back to my roots; it’s just me and my guitar, which I’m excited to release.

I’m also learning how to produce my own material, which has been both exciting and daunting. It’s been freeing, attempting to do it myself this time around.

Musicngear: Are there any projects or upcoming releases you'd like to share from your upcoming EP?

I’m hopeful that by summer, I’ll have something to release, even if it’s just a single, with the EP to follow. I’d like to release something mid-year to build momentum again. It’s to be confirmed, but hopefully by summer.

Musicngear: Do you have any advice for rising artists facing similar struggles in the industry and wanting to go independent?

If I could go back, I’d tell myself what I would tell others now: remember why you’re doing it. It’s easy for it to become something that’s not your passion anymore, something stressful that you’re doing for others, not yourself. Remember, you have your own vision, and you’re the one writing the songs and creating the music.

Stay true to that and true to yourself in what you want from your career. Don’t let anyone else dictate that or change how you present yourself or showcase your talent.

Connect with BECAH
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About Sonia Panunzi

Sonia Panunzi is a creative content writer from London who curates interviews, review articles and commentary spanning music, film, and literature. She holds an MA in English Studies and a BA in Digital Film, combining critical insight with creative flair. Passionate about spotlighting the behind-the-scenes processes of music, Sonia is especially focused on amplifying the voices of independent musicians striving to find their place in an oversaturated industry.

Contact Sonia Panunzi at sonia.panunzi@musicngear.com

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