(Bea Elmy Martin / Courtesy PR)
Bea Elmy Martin, an emerging talent in the alt-pop realm, has carved out a unique space with her cinematic soundscapes and heartfelt songwriting. Her latest single, ‘Where We Part’, from volume 1 of her debut album Under the Yew, exemplifies her ability to weave brooding melodies with profound emotional depth. Teaming up with Dominick J Goldsmith of the celebrated trip-hop group HÆLOS, Bea has delivered a track that’s both haunting and captivating. Building on the momentum of her 2021 debut EP Blue Escape, which won praise from BBC Radio 1’s Jack Saunders, BBC Radio 6’s Lauren Laverne, Clash Magazine, and Wonderland, she solidified her presence in the alternative music scene.
With ‘Where We Part’ delving into themes of loss, strength, and transformation, this interview offers an intimate look at Bea’s artistic evolution and the promise of her debut album.
How would you describe the core essence of your alt-pop sound to someone hearing it for the first time?
I’d say my sound is like a quiet storm — intimate, emotional, and rooted in storytelling, like the feeling of your room being a mess but you knowing exactly where everything is. I don’t know if that’s a good comparison haha but It’s alt-pop with a cinematic edge, where softness and intensity intertwine.
How has your creative process evolved since your debut EP Blue Escape?
When I made the Dual Natures EP, I was 18/19 and still figuring out who I was, both as a person and an artist. As I grow, I’m sure my process will evolve over and over again. It feels like I write from a place of deeper emotional clarity now but I’m still figuring it all out and just moving with whatever I’m feeling at the moment.
What’s one unexpected inspiration behind ‘Where We Part’ that shaped its sound?
The night I wrote ‘Where We Part’ was the night my dog Ike passed away. That immediate, raw grief shaped not just the lyrics but the entire mood of the song. I wanted the production to feel like a soft unraveling — something that holds you gently while everything inside is kind of falling apart.
How did working with Dominick J Goldsmith from HÆLOS influence your approach to Under the Yew?
I met Dom through a family friend when I was at uni and quickly connected with him and his beautiful wife Linn. Many visits later, we had written our first EP together Dual Natures. I think we energize each other without ever needing to push too much. His background with HÆLOS brought a depth and spaciousness to the album, Dom’s production really shines on ‘I’m Here Now‘ and ‘Where We Part‘.
What’s a lyric from Under the Yew that feels especially personal to you and why?
From a new song on Vol 2 – ‘broken butterflies, fractured space and time‘ it just felt like I had put exactly how I was feeling into words, which can sometimes feel impossible.
In what ways did your collaboration with Dominick J Goldsmith influence the sonic direction of Under the Yew, and how did his background in trip-hop shape the album’s atmosphere?
He brought in textures that created a sense of space and introspection, allowing the emotional parts to resonate more profoundly. His influence helped shape an environment where the songs could exist in their own world, but also our sounds came together really beautifully in parts — I reckon this record is the best part of both of us coming together.
You’ve mentioned ‘Where We Part‘ was born from personal grief — how did channeling that experience into music help you process it, and what was the hardest part of turning such raw emotion into art?
Writing ‘Where We Part‘ felt like a form of therapy. Channeling my grief into the song allowed me to process emotions that were too overwhelming to articulate in the moment. I loved signing it and so that bought me a lot of joy.
Stepping back from the industry to focus on Under the Yew was a bold choice — how did that time of reflection shape the album, and what did you learn about yourself as an artist in that quieter period?
I don’t think it should be seen as taking a step back from the industry. I think it’s more that musicians are expected to move at a much quicker pace in this day and age. What’s necessary to create an authentic album for me is giving it the time it deserves. Solitude can be incredibly fertile ground for creativity and sometimes, slowing down is the most productive thing you can do.
If you could teleport to any venue or festival in the world to perform ‘Where We Part‘ tomorrow, where would you go and why?
Glastonbury pyramid is number 1 of course, I’ve been going to that wonderful field since I was 7 and there is no place like it. It’s such a fabled festival, because you don’t know when or if you’re ever going to play again. It’s also such a landmark in every artist’s career and you feel that flood through with every performance!!
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