Bess Harriet Hildick-Smith (born 24 September 1994), known professionally as Bess Atwell, is an English indie folk musician.
Early life Atwell was born in South London and grew up in Cambridgeshire and Sussex. She attended Brighton College, where she was a member of Seldon House. She began her studies at Falmouth University, but withdrew and moved to London for her career.
Career Atwell released her debut full-length album, Hold Your Mind, when she was 19 years old. Atwell released her first EP three years later, titled Big Blue. Atwell released her second full-length album in 2021 titled Already, Always. In 2024, Atwell released her third full-length album, titled Light Sleeper. The album was produced by Aaron Dessner, who had reached out to Atwell inquiring about producing her next record. The album received positive reviews.
Artistry Having begun to learn guitar via Taylor Swift songs, Atwell attended a Johnny Flynn concert with a friend, which she considers the moment "I really became influenced by music, in a way that shaped me as my own artist". Through Flynn, she discovered London's early 2010s nu-folk scene. As a teenager, she listened to the likes of Fleet Foxes, Bon Iver, Dry the River and Joni Mitchell, as well as Beach House, The National and Sharon Van Etten.
In a 2019 interview, Atwell cited an admiration for women singers such as Julia Jacklin, Stella Donnelly, Phoebe Bridgers and Soccer Mommy. Other artists Atwell has named include The Beach Boys, Gillian Welch, Lana Del Rey and Maggie Rogers.
Discography Studio albums TitleDetailsHold Your MindReleased: July 8, 2016 Label: Bullnose Hoop RecordsAlready, AlwaysReleased: September 24, 2021 Label: Real Kind RecordsLight SleeperReleased: May 24, 2024 Label: Real Kind Records
Remix albums TitleDetailsAlready, RearrangedReleased: September 16, 2022 Label: Real Kind Records
Extended plays TitleDetailsBig BlueReleased: May 24, 2019 Label: Mother's Milk RecordsMore Than ScienceReleased: August 30, 2024 Label: Real Kind Records
Singles TitleYearAlbum"Cobbled Streets"2016Hold Your Mind"Swimming Pool"2018Big Blue"Grace""Cherry Baby"2019"Co-op"2021Already, Always"Time Comes in Roses""All You Can Do""Nobody""Red Light Heaven""Sylvester"2023Light Sleeper"The Weeping""Release Myself"2024"Fan Favourite""Something Now""Where I Left Us"More Than Science
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