We were lucky to catch up with Bebe Stockwell recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Bebe , thanks for joining us today. We’d love to hear about the things you feel your parents did right and how those things have impacted your career and life.

Growing up is an incredible journey of discovery, filled with mistakes that teach us to embrace our true selves. I think Each of us has a unique perspective on the world. One thing that my parents did right was they always told me to embrace my imagination.Despite possessing a vast imagination, honing in on its unique artistic essence proved to be a challenging hobby I wanted to develop.From a young age, I was captivated by stories. I would drift off to sleep, enchanted by old fairy tales and tales passed down through generations. Though these characters were unfamiliar to me in reality, I felt a profound closeness to them through the stories as they walked through my ears. This introduction to storytelling unleashed the boundless potential of my imagination and opened the gateway to my love for music.With the addition of notes and melodies to accompany words, the stories no longer remained mere tales; they came to life. Music became the language through which I could paint vivid emotions, vibrant landscapes, and deep connections. It became an avenue for self-expression allowing me to explore.My creative expedition continues, weaving the threads of imagination and music together and betters my understanding of myself and the world around me. It is a journey of endless possibilities, thanks to my parents.

Bebe , love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

Well, first off, my name is Bebe. I was born in Boston, into a very Bostonian family. Both of my grandparents live on my street, just for reference. I started playing music when I was around 5. My dad, though not a musician, made my twin, little sister, and me learn piano and guitar. We had a silly band called the ABC girls.I started songwriting because one of my guitar teachers was a bluegrass singer in a band called Della Mae, which opened the world of country and folk music to me. I fell in love with artists such as Gillian Welch and Brandi Carlile, among others. At the age of 15, I attended the Berklee School of Music 5-week summer program, which solidified my love for music and songwriting. It also exposed me to other genres such as jazz, indie, and pop, which contributed to my versatility when writing songs.In high school, I started putting out music on SoundCloud and doing small performances at my school; at that point, it was still a hobby. Originally, I was actually going to college for lacrosse. However, I met a teacher who taught at The Clive Davis School in NYC, and I fell in love with the idea of going to school for music. When I got to school, we were still in Covid, so I started meeting a lot of industry people slowly, and I had a bunch of demos which I would send them all. Eventually, I started forming an amazing team. I think what sets me apart from others is that I have a clear vision, and I am a storyteller. I write from what I see, hear, and feel while taking inspiration from my life, movies, books, and stories from friends. The underlying theme of my music is to feel compassion but not take yourself too seriously, as can be seen in the Yarnmation and colorful detailed drawings in my videos.

Lol. I would say my brand is a city girl who is also a country mouse (my family is also from New Hampshire and Maine), and then put that mouse in a dress from Marimekko and give it a trampoline.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

This might sound cliché, but one lesson I had to unlearn was the pursuit of perfection and the need to conform to everyone’s idea of it. When I started in the world of music, I held onto the belief that I had to be flawless in every session and create the most exceptional masterpiece of my life. However, as I collaborated with various artists, producers, and labels, I came to a profound realization.In the creative field, we are all human beings with unique strengths and imperfections, and it is in embracing these differences that we truly learn and grow into ourselves. I gradually understood that striving for perfection stifled creativity and stopped authentic connections with others. It was liberating to let go of this unrealistic expectation and to open myself up to the beauty of vulnerability and growth.Unlike some who come from music industry backgrounds, I wasn’t born into it, which initially shaped my perspective on success. I used to believe that to “make it,” I had to fit an elusive, flawless mold. But breaking free from that perspective allowed me to explore my genuine self as an artist.I discovered that music is not about reaching some unreachable pinnacle of perfection; it’s about expressing raw emotions, sharing stories, and connecting with others on a profound level. It’s the moments of authenticity and vulnerability that create genuine bonds with the people I work with, leading to collaborative magic.Now, I embrace my uniqueness, flaws, and all, knowing that it’s the very essence of my creativity.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

The most rewarding aspect of being an artist is the incredible opportunity to connect with so many people. It fills me with immense gratitude to have this job, as it has introduced me to remarkable people who have profoundly impacted my life and illuminated my journey. To be an artist can be complicated because you are standing on a stage asking strangers to understand you through a song. I wouldn’t trade this journey though for anything else. The opportunity to touch lives, to be a part of someone’s memories, and to share emotions through music is a privilege. It drives me to keep evolving as an artist, honing my craft, and striving to create a meaningful impact through my art.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bebe.stockwell/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC14E0mv5V9AWS9NRWoztzpw
• Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@bebestockwell

Image Credits
@hellen elizondo @katherine goguen @reese layton