SOAK performs in The Current studio
by Bill DeVille and SOAK
August 04, 2015
Bridie Monds-Watson — better known by her performing name, SOAK — may not have initially set out to be a singer-songwriter. "I always wanted to play drums," she says, "but I never got drums."
That said, with a guitar-playing father and music-loving mother, Monds-Watson seemed to fall into playing guitar and writing songs naturally. "It wasn't a conscious decision, really," she reflects. "it was just whenever I felt confident on guitar and knew enough chords, I just started singing along to what I was playing, I guess."
Now touring in support of her debut album, Before We Forgot How to Dream, SOAK stopped in to The Current's studio to play some songs and to chat with Bill DeVille ahead of her show at the 7th Street Entry in Minneapolis.
Growing up in Derry, Northern Ireland, Monds-Watson began playing out at age 13, performing in a band called That's What She Said, doing acoustic covers of tunes by bands like the Pixies. At 15, Monds-Watson began performing as a solo artist, and the gigs really started happening a lot once she was 16. "I wasn't massively into school, ever," she explains. "There were definitely parts of it I really, really liked, the rest I just wasn't that bothered. So for me, gigs and stuff came as a priority. If I had to miss school to do something, I would just miss school."
Her album was recorded in Glenveagh National Park in Donegal, produced and engineered by Tommy McLaughlin at Attica Audio. SOAK's songs have been described as confessional, and some — "Sea Creatures," in particular — have drawn comparisons to Bebel Gilberto's bossa nova stylings. Although she exhibits a precocious maturity as a songwriter, Monds-Watson is still a teenager. As such, DeVille asked her about her early impressions of touring in America. Here are some highlights:
On her first visit to the South by Southwest Festival in Austin, Texas:
"It was really cool to be in America and to go to South By, because it was something I always wanted to do since I heard about it. I did five shows, didn't do too many … they went really well and had really nice crowds, and it was really cool. The only downfall is the whole 21 [age restriction], you can't get in anywhere, big Xs on hands, but other than that, it was pretty cool."
On spotting some wildlife while on the road:
"Yesterday we had a drive from Indianapolis to here, it was like nine hours, and I definitely saw a bald eagle. It might not have been bald, but it was definitely an eagle."
On trying Chicago-style pizza while in Chicago:
"I think it changed my life. I really like pizza, and the only thing I knew about Chicago was Al Capone and pizza. … I'm a big fan of the Italian thin crust, but the Chicago was pretty good."
Songs Performed
"Wait"
"B a noBody"
"Sea Creatures"
All songs off SOAK's debut album, Before We Forgot How to Dream, available on Rough Trade Records.
Hosted by Bill DeVille
Produced by Derrick Stevens
Engineered by Corey Schreppel
Web feature by Luke Taylor
