Exclusive Interview with 'BRIDGET KELLY QUINN'

From a tiny Highland village, singer-songwriter Bridget Kelly Quinn now resides in Edinburgh. When Bridget was a young child, her grandmother would sing hymns and scales with her, place a book on her head, and ask her to walk around to improve her posture. Little did Bridget know that this was the beginning of her singing training. When she was a child, you could find her in her room with a notebook, writing short songs and making recordings on her Fisher-Price stereo. In her teenage years, she came across the music of Janis Joplin, Sam Cooke, Nina Simone, and Jeff Buckley and instantly fell in love. Bridget has played in several bands over the years, but she didn’t join Nouvelle Jukebox until a few years ago when she realized how much she loved singing jazz. A covers band performing their own interpretation of jazz classics and modern songs. Bridget began taking piano lessons from David Lennon during the first phase of the lockdown, which led to her working on her own songs. Her debut EP with David and Becca Starr is slated for release in 2021, and she recently finished recording her debut album, “Dead Flowers,” which will be available in the summer of 2022. On her follow-up album, titled “My House/Your House,” Bridget is already hard at work.
The lead single from my debut album, “Dead Flowers,” is “Please Stay.” It deals with anxiety and depression. She was inspired to write this by both personal experiences and the rising suicide rate among young men. Although we have made some progress in the area of mental health, there is still much work to be done. The message of this song is to show one another that you are listening to them and that everything will be okay. This album’s overarching theme is to love more, including ourselves as well as other people. We are all on this magical ride we call life, and it’s okay to make mistakes occasionally. More than ever, we need to show respect for one another. We might not agree on everything, but that doesn’t mean we have to break down in tears over it. Check out her single ‘Please Stay’ and the exclusive interview below:

1. Can you tell us a bit about where you come from and how you got started?
BRIDGET KELLY QUINN: I am originally from a little place called Tomatin near Inverness in the highlands. I am one of 6 and I am so lucky to have supportive family. I have been singing for as long as I can remember , I moved to Edinburgh at 16 for drama course then a music course and then had break in doing anything creative, life got in the way. I have been in various bands throughout my life but nothing seemed to click until my late 30s where I truly knew who I was and in working with my co writer David
2. Did you have any formal training or are you self-taught?
BRIDGET KELLY QUINN: My Granny was teaching me from age 5 before I know what a scale was, I had singing lessons and piano lessons age 9. I often think if I had stuck at piano I would be able to play it noo, but its never too late. I have a degree in music which I got from Bimm in Bristol.
3. Who were your first and strongest musical influences and why the name ‘BRIDGET KELLY QUINN’?
BRIDGET KELLY QUINN: When I think back I used to love watching black and white movies with my granny and singing Ave Maria . Coming from big family there was such a mix of music which shaped me as I love all genres . There would be Willie nelson , Duran Duran, George Micheal, Happy Mondays , Deacon Blue, Patsy Cline and classical music coming from different rooms. The first single I bought was from Shakin Stevens ‘This old house’ lol . And I was a huge Take That fan and I loved singing along to Celine Dion and I loved Gloria Estefan . In my teens I discovered Janis Joplin and my world changed , then it was The doors, Sam cooke , Jeff Buckley, Bessie Smith , Ella , Robert jonhstone the list is endless . When u hear that emotion in a voice, it takes you to another place . There’s nothing like the magic of it ooh and Fleetwood Mac and Morcheeba and Amy Winehouse who I miss so much . 4. What do you feel are the key elements in your music that should resonate with listeners, and how would you personally describe your sound?
BRIDGET KELLY QUINN: Wow that’s a one eh, to describe my sound. I feel like I sing from the bottom of my toes all the way up, I connect to the lyrics and the I’m there singing from my soul. I truly feel like me when I sing, its like I’m going tell a story and I hope you connect with it and it makes your day better. David arranges all my music and also teaches me piano and I would say my sound is quirky unique jazz tones with a pop outlook hahahahah and always honest.

5. For most artists, originality is first preceded by a phase of learning and, often, emulating others. What was this like for you? How would you describe your own development as an artist and music maker, and the transition towards your own style, which is known as POP?
BRIDGET KELLY QUINN: I used to love emulating lots of singers, Cher was a favourite. I remember recording myself with my fisher price at age 6. My granny would tell me off and say I had to discover my own sound. I’ve been in different bands throughout my life which defo helped with developing my sound and at Uni we were constantly collaborating and seeing what worked and didn’t . I think you have to be fearless and not afraid for things to not work, you get to where you’re meant to be anyway. Then in the times when I wasn’t being creative , there’s like a piece missing. I would also say life experiences have huge impact on my music, and my tone. I used to be scared of creating my own music , I was always in bands where someone else was leading but now Mamma is leading the way hahahaha.

6. What’s your view on the role and function of music as political, cultural, spiritual, and/or social vehicles – and do you try and affront any of these themes in your work, or are you purely interested in music as an expression of technical artistry, personal narrative and entertainment?
BRIDGET KELLY QUINN:

For me it goes hand in hand I cannot not speak about what’s happening in the world. I’ve always thought that we are so much stronger together . We might not always see eye to eye but we don’t have to make each other cry is a lyric from ‘I am me” from the upcoming debut album ‘Dead flowers’. Yes we might not have same views but we have to find some middle ground.
Humans have got so much right and so much wrong, no one should not have enough food and water and somewhere to live. When we got a vaccine for covid I couldn’t help but think about how many ,especially children die form hunger and we have that cure , that breaks my heart. The systems in place are to keep the 1 percent in their sickening wealth , the whole class system is made up I feel . I remember as a child in church and asking about what the poor box was and being so confused that everyone was accepting that children didn’t have enough food and water. I remember getting told the rich get richer and the poor get poorer as that was an explanation. I believe we can have a more equal world . Equality is so important to me and I feel enraged with what’s become the status quo. I know there is more good people out there than the other. Humans are complicated but we have to be honest about what we have done to are planet and big business needs to pay their bloody taxes. And we need a central election and not another unelected Prime minister.
7. Do you feel that your music is giving you back just as much fulfilment as the amount of work you are putting into it, or are you expecting something more, or different in the future?
BRIDGET KELLY QUINN:

I have always wanted to be in position where I was telling me stories through music and connecting with people. In the last 2 years I have done more than I dare dreamed. I have a platform to be creative and grow as musician and human. I wouldn’t be doing this if it wasn’t for David Lennon my writing partner and Becca Starr for recording and producing. The whole creative process is such an empowering experience and we are already working on second album. I can’t wait for future I have about 300 song ideas on one phone and lost so many phones throughout the years with my idea s that never saw them become anything. so such fulfilment that I am finally working on my own material and I adore a notebook and pencil, have many with lyrics. I am also collaborating with different musicians and I can’t wait for the future. I love so many styles and love the freedom to be creative and how I am feeling on the day has impact on sound.

8. Could you describe your creative processes? How do usually start, and go about shaping ideas into a completed song? Do you usually start with a tune, a beat, or a narrative in your head? And do you collaborate with others in this process?
BRIDGET KELLY QUINN: Ideas come out at any time or place , Ill sing idea into phone, write lyrics out. Its normally the hook that comes first then I’ll work out chords or most time its sent straight to David and he works out chords and arranges . Then going over the form , I get piano lessons from David too and I’m trying working out chords first then writing lyrics . I’m so excited to progress in my song writing but its normally always been melody and lyrics that come first for me.
9. What has been the most difficult thing you’ve had to endure in your life or music career so far?
BRIDGET KELLY QUINN: Losing my brother changed my whole family and I don’t think you ever get over loss but you learn to live with it. A piece of your heart goes with them. During my life I have had episodes of severe anxiety which had stopped me from doing what I love but I am learning what my triggers are and reflection is huge positive role in changing what doesn’t work for me. The last few years have been the hardest as my mum has dementia and as its progresses you have to have unbelievable strength . Its a trauma and since I have been honest with myself about how hard it is I have been able to be there for both my parents in supporting them each step of the way as they have for me. I’m lucky I have parents who have loved and supported me my whole life and I know not everyone has that. I always try to see positives which is something my mum taught me.
10. On the contrary, what would you consider a successful, proud or significant point in your life or music career so far?
BRIDGET KELLY QUINN: Becoming a mother has been such a journey and learning so much, and truly knowing how to love. Being where I am now and showing my daughter that you can love your work.