bittymacbeth (aka Beth Yap) launches her debut album Beauty for Ashes at the Esplanade Recital Studio tomorrow night. Guess what? SOLD OUT! In any case, Beth was kind enough to take part in our PoP Ten for our reading pleasure. Enjoy!
Why play music?
It’s cathartic. My songs are my messages of hope and rising above struggle to the world. Art is eternal, hopefully impacting other people even after you’re dead.
Who are your influences?
Musically: Esperanza Spalding, Allen Stone, Khalil Fong. Lyrically, Switchfoot, Anberlin.
What is success?
Being a good person.
Why should people buy your music?
It’s music with heart, soul and meaningful messages, not the usual make-up/break-up manufactured mass market product. There’s a little something something for everybody, whether you’re in odd-time a cappella or drum machines and synths on a tune that’s for cruisin’ on a roadtrip.
Who do you love?
Who do you love, tell me who you lo-o-ove (singing Tim De Cotta’s tune). God, family, boyfriend, friends… enemies, haha.
What do you hope to achieve with your music?
I hope to encourage people to be better versions of themselves, something I also try to do everyday. See past the surface which leads us to discrimination and judgment (Haters), keep on keeping on even in the hardest struggles (Beauty), respect nature (Vandal), accept the pain that love brings because of its sacrificial nature because it is more blessed to give than to receive (Reign of Love (Bane of Love)), etc.
Who comes to your gigs?
Family, friends, other musicians, some listeners who’ve heard me at previous gigs and strangers.
Name five favourite albums.
A Timeless Christmas – Israel and New Breed
Felt – Anchor & Braille
Radio Music Society – Esperanza Spalding
The Beautiful Letdown or Oh! Gravity. – Switchfoot
Black Radio – Robert Glasper Experiment
Name five favourite songs.
You Could Be – Khalil Fong
Love Foolosophy – Jamiroquai
Unaware – Allen Stone
Good Morning – Darren Ashley
Drive – Incubus
How did you get here?
Where is here? What does it mean to be? Who are we?