Exclusive Interview with Alternative Rock Artist BEEA

Portuguese alternative rock act BEEA has delivered a mesmerizing and delightfully promising rookie EP Paranoia. The EP displays her deft and unerring talent, both as a singer and a songwriter.

I got the chance to talk to her about how she got started making music, what the alternative rock music scene is like is Lisbon, what inspired her single “Paranoia” and so much more! Keep reading to see what she had to say! 

Tell me a little bit about how you first got into making and performing music.

I had my first band at fifteen (I basically just answered to a band’s ad looking for a vocalist) and that was the first time I had an experience with writing and recording music.

Was there a specific moment or person that made you realize that music is what you wanted to pursue professionally?

I started singing at a very young age and it’s something I have always enjoyed ever since I can remember. When I was six years old, I watched Avril Lavigne’s “Complicated” video on MTV and since that moment, I’ve known I wanted to have a career in music.

You are based out of Lisbon, Portugal. What’s the alternative rock music scene like over there?

The music scene is pretty small over here. I do as much as I can to support it and try to go to almost every single gig there is, also because there’s not many, unfortunately. Over the years, I’ve been noticing an increase when it comes to that (from the smallest bands to big names like Bring Me The Horizon or Slipknot). Honestly, 2020 is looking very promising, since I already spent a quite generous amount of money on concert and festival tickets for this year in Portugal.

I’m always genuinely curious about what artists want to convey with their music. But if you had to describe the music you make without using genre names, how would you describe it?

I would describe it as something like mood-swinging and heartfelt lyrics backed by mood-swinging music. From the loud guitars and drums to more beat-centered clean arrangements, somehow I think it all makes sense!

Going off of that, who are some of your musical influences?

Definitely Pvris, Tonight Alive, Lights and Against The Current.

Let’s talk about your debut EP, Paranoia. What does it mean to you for this project to finally be coming out?

It feels great to finally release all my hard work to the world and let people enjoy it. It was a hard process for me, since I talk about a lot of painful stuff in my lyrics, but honestly I feel very relieved now. I feel like that chapter of my life is over and I can start writing about other things. Also, a few people told me that they relate to my lyrics and that means the absolute world to me.

Your new single “Paranoia” is the title track for the EP. What inspired this song?

“Paranoia” reflects a time where I was feeling very paranoid and uncomfortable about the way I was living. I was very unhappy about a few choices I was making during that period and I couldn’t recognize myself in the mirror. It truly felt like the end of the world for me at the time. For me, personally, that song is a reminder to not lose control over myself again and to not put anyone else above everything in my life.

Something I’ve always been curious with songwriting is how topics come to mind. Did you know what you wanted to write about going into the song session that birthed “Paranoia” or did it just come about organically?

I actually did. I always write a crazy amount of lyrics before my studio sessions, and I knew I wanted to write an angry/desperate song about feeling like my whole world was falling apart. Obviously I always end up writing new stuff during my songwriting sessions, but I actually ended up using a lot of previously written lyrics. 

What was the songwriting process like for this song specifically?

I think we started with some drums, added a few guitar lines and then we just started trying some voice melodies. I was feeling completely in sync with everyone. We finished the whole song structure pretty quickly because I basically wrote all the lyrics in two days. 

Was there any major changes to “Paranoia” that happened once you guys got into the recording studio, whether it be in the lyrics or something sonically?

I don’t think we made any major changes once we got into the studio. Lyrically speaking, I remember us sticking to what I had initially.

You’re relatively new to the music game. What are some music industry-related goals or benchmarks that you’re aiming to reach in the next couple of years?

I would like to return to the studio and record new music (maybe a new EP or even an album, who knows), but what I really want is more opportunities to play live and show people what a “BEEA” concert means. I would love to have a chance to tour – that would be incredible!

Last question — we’re called Talk Nerdy With Us because we all have an inner nerd so what is something that you’re currently nerding out about?

I am completely obsessed about Disney. Funny story, before wanting to be a singer, I wanted to be a princess. Well, who am I kidding? I still do!

For more information, make sure you follow BEEA on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.