Essy, a Falmouth-based singer-songwriter, started writing music around three years ago and last year released her debut EP ‘Still Upset About It Actually’. 

Having spent much of her twenties watching and admiring other artists, Essy found herself returning home, playing guitar alone, disheartened that nobody else could hear her own music. It was during this time that something finally clicked.

She said: “Around 2 years ago, something switched and I realised that you just have to do things. No one comes out of the womb an artist — you just have to start.
“So I started writing. A friend invited me to The Moth and the Moon for an open mic night. I played - hands shaking, palms sweating - through a small set, and then I committed to going at least once a month. I decided that I would write one new song each time I went, and that essentially is how it all began.”

Having found the courage to step onto the stage, it was at this time that Essy also began sharing her music online. Essy admits that her community here in Falmouth is one of the reasons why she has music out in the world now.

She said: “Falmouth’s music community has reignited a love for music that had sat stagnant and scared within me for a long time. By playing in open mics in Falmouth, I found a small, safe space to work through my fears and my falls. I’ve been able to meet people that have helped me see that you can do anything — even put out an EP.
“Through the community at The Moth and The Moon, I was able to play my first gig, and then to play The Poly, and it all allowed me to build my performance confidence, which has been invaluable. Now I’m playing my first headline show — which sold out!
“I wouldn’t have got here without the community in Falmouth that has believed in me, helping me to believe in myself.”

Gaining confidence and self-belief is one of the biggest hurdles to overcome in the music industry. Battling feelings of embarrassment and the all-too-prevalent ‘imposter syndrome’ is certainly difficult, but Essy has learned that with the right support and encouragement from loved ones, and a little bit of a pep talk every once in a while, she has been able to put her art out into the world.

She added: “I read a quote last year that said, ‘Don’t be afraid to be seen trying,’ and it made me realise that there is nothing embarrassing about not being perfect. All of us have to learn. It helped me to take that first step and start singing songs out of the house.”

Essy’s music is inspired by the water and the life she has experienced while living amongst ‘coastal folk’. Her lyrics are drawn from real life experiences and the way she feels, while the sound is inspired by modern indie pop, layering harmonies to achieve an ethereal folk sound, with a twist of modernity. 

“I always like to notice really niche emotions, ones that often aren’t spoken about or that people feel embarrassed about, and then bring them to light through song,” she said. “It could be anything from looking up an old friend online and wondering why they seem more successful than you, to looking in the mirror and wondering if you like yourself. Those are quiet moments that a lot of us have but often sit with alone. I like to try and describe them in my music to bring a sense of togetherness in what often feels maybe ‘embarrassing’.
“I like holding space for both sadness and humour in my music — so you might laugh at one line and then cry at another.

“I often think of my music like ‘light on water’ — the water is the groundedness, the sense of old folk tales that makes you feel nostalgic, but the light offers these little glimmers of magic, modern synths that creep in, that you maybe wouldn’t expect.”

‘Still Upset About It Actually’ has now hit over 100,000 streams, reaching far beyond Cornwall and having been featured on radio stations across the UK, US and even New Zealand. Essy has received acclaim from BBC Introducing, Radio 1’s Jodie Bryant and indie tastemakers like Under The Radar and Plastic Mag. Social media has played its part in helping to launch Essy onto music lovers’ radars everywhere, with one of her tracks achieving ‘viral’ status.

She said: “Social media, though it may have its drawbacks, has one absolutely groundbreaking power — and it’s that you can reach someone across the globe that you never would’ve been able to otherwise.
“I learnt to play guitar by watching videos of Laura Marling on YouTube at 13 years old. I didn’t have the money for music lessons, so that was all I had. So really from a young age, I’ve been reaping the benefits of social media. These days, it’s offered me the chance to put my music in front of people that otherwise would never, ever get to see it.
“I started sharing on there two years ago, and since then my songs have been viewed over one-million times. I’ve started growing a lovely community of people that like my music — far beyond Falmouth and far beyond what I ever expected. It’s made me so happy and opened up opportunities that I would’ve never seen coming.”

Essy has one message for anyone hoping to make a go of it as an artist: “Don’t be afraid to be seen trying. It is better to be ‘cringe’ in someone else’s head, than caged in your own.”

Essy has new music coming soon. For updates, gig details and more, follow her on social media @essysparrow

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