Q&A: Bekah Bossard Channels Anxious Energy Into Authentic Single “Four Walls”
☆ BY sharon lazo ☆
WITH AN EFFORTLESSLY COOL SOUND AND MEANINGFUL LYRICS — alternative indie star Bekah Bossard presents us with a brand new single, “Four Walls.” Coming straight from their debut single, “What You Wanted,” Bossard is proving there is nothing stopping their momentum. They even joked during the interview that they’re so enthusiastic about creating new music that they simply can't stop once they start. Born in California and raised in the UK, Bossard claims both places as their own, drawing inspiration from the places they grew up in. With the types of songs they create, it’s clear Bossard speaks from experience, and they're not afraid to show their true feelings.
Their latest release, “Four Walls,” explores the hardships of anxiety and depression, as well as that gut-wrenching feeling of being crammed down by the imaginary walls our minds make up. But there are always people in your life who get you out of that hard moment, even if they don’t realize it. “Four Walls” is an ode to those who are there for Bossard, as well as their depression and anxiety. Not only did Bossard create a beautiful song by being authentic with their lyrics, but the sound of the song tells a story itself. Starting off using distorted instruments at the very beginning of the song, Bekah showcases that feeling of agonizing anxiety. As a listener, you're unsure of where the song is going to go — expecting a completely hard-grunge moment, until you hear Bossard’s velvety voice clear up all the distortion.
Read below to learn out more about Bossard and her new single “Four Walls,” and keep a lookout for any upcoming projects and live shows on the horizon.
LUNA: Hey Bekah! Thank you so much for your time! How are you?
BOSSARD: Well, thank you for yours! I’m good but a little groggy after just waking up from a nap (laughs). How are you?
LUNA: I’m great! Happy to be here, and congrats on your latest release, “Four Walls.” What can you tell us about the track?
BOSSARD: Thank you so much! I can't believe it’s out! I wrote this about struggling to do much of anything when my depression and anxiety hit an all time low (or high?) and [as] a love note to those who helped me through it. This song holds a lot of emotions that many people can resonate with. Feeling like your world is closing in on you, but that one individual person in your life makes you feel like it'll all be alright somehow.
LUNA: How important is it for you to showcase your truth in your music?
BOSSARD: I think it’s less about importance when I truly don’t feel I have another option. I think most often I’m painfully honest and an open book in [my] day-to-day life, and my music isn’t separate from that — it’s all communication and processing to me. So with me, for better or for worse, what you see is what you get!
LUNA: Following that question, thank you for being so vulnerable and honest in your songwriting — it only allows for more compassionate conversations. Do you find it difficult to completely pour your heart into a track, or is it just second nature to you to put your all into your work?
BOSSARD: Wow that’s so kind to say. So affirming, thank you! Well, it definitely feels second nature but I definitely have moments where I want to hide after being so vulnerable. But ultimately it’s never something I regret.
LUNA: You were born in California but were raised in the UK. What was that like, and where would you say you feel more at home and creatively inspired? Being that you have two amazingly distinguished places to draw inspiration from!
BOSSARD: I feel strong ties to both of them! My dad is from LA and my mom is from the UK — so I honestly feel quite literally split in two when it comes to them. I always write the most when I’m surrounded by nature — so luckily for me, both countries offer the best of that.
LUNA: Going back to “Four Walls,” sonically, is this something we can expect on upcoming projects? Is there anything you’d like to experiment with?
BOSSARD: Absolutely, I think this is the blueprint for a lot of upcoming songs. Although I do make space for some intimate ambient moments, which you’ll find out so, so soon. Apparently I can’t stop releasing music now that I've started (laughs).
LUNA: Piggybacking off that question, how would you describe your music to someone who has never heard of you before?
BOSSARD: Softness with some tough edges, like a porcupine.
LUNA: While making this song, was there something you discovered about yourself that you’ll hold onto the next time you make a track?
BOSSARD: I think writing this showed me the gift of duality and in processing and experiencing life. It’s often not wholly good or bad [but] a blur of the two, and you can acknowledge the bad while being grateful for the good — even though that feels fucking difficult sometimes.
LUNA: What kind of feeling do you wish to project onto the listener with “Four Walls”?
BOSSARD: I think my ultimate wish is for anyone feeling the way I did when I wrote this (and sometimes still do) [to have] company in their solemnness and to remind them that it will shift and change — as does life, all the time.
LUNA: Anything new on the horizons for you that you’d like to share with us?
BOSSARD: I have some opportunities to perform around the country this year, and I think most of it is top secret (ironic, considering I literally never shut up), but I'm super excited to get to play live shows and connect with more and more people!
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