Interview with Bertie Newman

What got you into music, and if you had not gotten into music what would you be doing today?

I got into music when I was driving back and forth to swim training ! Weird old place to find influence but my mum uses to play Bon Iver, The Civil Wars, Florence and The Machine to name a few. I just started to really love melancholic music and took inspo from there on. I didn’t pick up a guitar until I was In my late teens as I was consumed by the sport, however always felt like I could contribute to music some how. If I wasn’t doing music I think I would love to be a Doctor !

What do you like to do when you are not playing music and how does that influence your creativity?

For me, sport and being active, especially in nature is what influences me. It gets me into a productive headspace and also especially with swimming it gives me a lot of very quiet, clear time to think and be retrospective. I also love just being with my friends as they inspire me all the time.

How long have you been making music?

I have been making music for around 5 years now !

Where are you based and how did that influence your music?

I am based and grew up in Hackney, London. I weirdly think that it almost had an opposite affect on my influence as no one where I grew up listened to the kind of music I did. Not many country and folk fans in my school haha. The intensity of where I grew up and live now has driven me to find places of peace and quiet, whether that be music or a physical escape to somewhere in the countryside. This is why I think I have such an attraction to folk and country music as it seems so far away from my situation but also weirdly very much where I’m meant to be.

Tell me about your most memorable shows, if you haven’t played live what is your vision for a live show?

I actually just didi a random pop up gig in regents park which was amazing ! I loved sharing my songs in their most raw and natural forms. I would envision somewhere very nature based and I would love to just make the soundscape sound exactly how I intended when I created the songs.

What is your favorite venue to play at, and do you have any places you want to play that you have not already?

Honestly I love to play anywhere where it’s a really chill and acoustic kinda vibe. I don’t have a specific place in mind !

If you could play any show with any lineup, who would be on the ticket?

It would be Bon Iver, Noah Kahan and Novo Amor, plus me ;)

What is some advice that you would give to someone who is just getting into making music and some advice that you would give to your younger self?

Make the music you want to, not the music that you think others want to hear ! I would say to myself “relax”. I was so uptight when I started music and now I know there isn’t a rush. Also that it is ok to fail and just redo anything as many times as needed.

Of your songs which one means the most to you and why?

I think seaside eyes as it really encapsulates the feelings of pure love and joy when I first started dating my current partner. I do however think that the songs I’m writing now are the most meaningful !

Which songs are your favourite to play and which get requested the most?

I love to play “I Will” the most but I think that ‘IDK You Yet’ is my most requested

What is your creative process, and what inspires you to write your music?

There is honestly not much processing going haha, I just sit with my guitar, play and hum. Sometimes I write lyrics first, sometimes melody. I love not having a specific way in which I do things as it’s the most natural to me. Inspiration can come from any angle at any time. I do a lot of my writing when I am swimming as it allows me to think of things in peace.

Do you have messages that you like to get across in your music? if so please tell me about them.

Although my music doesn’t specifically talk about it outwardly, I think that mental health is so important. I want to create music which describes how I am feeling in such a way that people can relate. I love listening to songs which aren’t always the clearest but you know exactly what feeling they are trying to convey.

Do you have any new singles, videos, or albums out that you would like to tell me and your fans about?

Ooooo well that’s a good question !! I have a lyric video for ‘Home’ out which I love.

What are your plans for the future, and do you have anything that you want to spotlight that is coming up?

I have lots and lots of songs and visuals that I want to show people as soon as I can !

How can your fans best keep up to date with you, any socials you want people to check out?

Definitely ! My insta is the best for news and visuals and my Tik Tok is all my singing content in one place !

Insta - @bertie.newman Tik Tok - @bertienewman