SOAK has been shortlisted for 2015’s prestigious Mercury Prize, joining a 12-strong bill also featuring the likes of Florence + The Machine, Jamie XX and Wolf Alice (at just 19, she’s the youngest solo female nominee in seven years). Debut album, Before We Forgot How To Dream has additionally seen Bridie Monds-Watson pick up recent nominations for the Q Awards (‘Best New Act’) and theNorthern Irish Music Prize.
Listen to the new single Reckless Behaviour on Spotify here
Before We Forgot How To Dream is a record which traces SOAK’s extraordinary journey in her career thus far, and also tackles those more timeless themes of friendship, family and what to do with your future. She started writing songs at the age of thirteen, before an early demo of ‘Sea Creatures’ – inspired by a friend who was being bullied – lit a fuse which picked up the attention of BBC Introducing and also saw A&R board the next flight to Derry (parking up outside the unsuspecting Monds-Watson household). Yet SOAK rushed into nothing, continuing to find her confidence as an artist, and as a young woman. She came out unremarkably at 14 (and has since become a vocal champion of gay rights), got her first tattoo (of 20 and counting), and toured with the likes of Tegan & Sara or George Ezra between stints in the local skate-park – allowing her songwriting to grow up as she did.
Having signed a deal with Rough Trade the summer most of her friends got their A-Level results, SOAK was shortlisted for the BBC Sound poll and released her debut, Top-20 charting album, Before We Forgot How To Dream, in May this year. In the wake of extensive critical acclaim, sold-out worldwide shows and a packed summer of festivals, it confirms SOAK ascent from raw young talent to a significant artistic voice for the years ahead.
“The voice of her generation… there is beauty and wisdom in SOAK’s music”
– NME, 8/10
“…the work of a young, keenly-self-aware artist who is well on her way to becoming an important voice” – 13th Floor
“A richly textured record… a quite precocious talent” – Q ****
“Sensational… the most auspicious of debuts” – Mojo ****
“Both innocent and haunted… SOAK defies conformity” – Guardian ****
SOAK – Before We Forgot How To Dream
OUT NOW
ON ROUGH TRADE
via Rhythmethod / The Label
Purchase the new single “Reckless Behaviour” on iTunes
Purchase the album on iTunes,
or from your favourite indie record store
Listen to the new single Reckless Behaviour on Spotify here
Links:
SOAK Official Site / Instagram / Twitter / Facebook
