Young, talented and charismatic, BEX needed only 8 months to become the next big thing in London. With her powerful songs, extraordinary fashion sense and standing firmly for female rights and equality, she emerges as one of the leading voices on the alternative music scene. Her fourth single, “Hazmat Suit (My Ass)” is out now, getting more plays from BBC Radio 1 than any other young artist we have ever known. BEX has her sights on conquering the rest of the country via blitz sonic campaign soon and we were happy to sit down with her to discuss her political views, Instagram censorship and why the entertainment business needs to urgently change.
BEX by Joe Westley
You are introducing yourself as “a punk-rocker who wants the music to speak again”. Who is BEX? Please introduce yourself to those of Indieterria readers who are not familiar with your music.
BEX: I am a creative at heart, everything I do is an expression of myself. I am primarily a musician as I love performing and I can truly be myself when I am on stage, I feel like I can express my true self through music. I also enjoy sewing, painting, drawing and crocheting, I make my own merch as I think fashion is the perfect form of self expression. I love DIY clothing, and I love when everybody is wearing something unique. The only way to describe BEX is a creative with a lot of personality to express.
We would also like to know who is joining you on stage when you perform. Let’s hear the names of your live band members and colleagues.
BEX: Joining me on stage is my bassist Josh (23). He also builds the pedals we run our basses through and then we use a session drummer. At our last gig at the Sebright Arms in London, we had Lauren joining us.
You are barely 20 years old but you have been performing for a couple of years now. When did you realize you wanted to be a professional musician? Was there any defining moment like seeing a certain performance on the TV or listening to an album when you just thought, this is what I want to do?
BEX: I don’t remember the specific day I wanted to be a musician; I was too young. I have always loved music and performing in school plays, I love anywhere that I am the centre of attention really. I used to go to rock school on the weekends, I started this when I was 13, and that’s when I knew for sure that I wanted to be a front woman. I LOVE singing however I was never any good, I had about 5 years of lessons and three of those were just learning to pitch. I definitely wasn’t born with any musical talent. But now I sing every day all day, I remember when I was young, I used to sing myself to sleep. My want for being a musician got stronger, the more time I worked on the skill.
Single cover
Your latest single “Hazmat Suit (My Ass)” is getting rave reviews and is being played on BBC Radio 1 at least once a week. Tell us about the song. What inspired you to write it?
BEX: Hazmat Suit (My Ass) was written after I was told “if girls wanted to go clubbing and not get spiked//assaulted then they should wear Hazmat Suits”
This comment did not sit right with me, and out popped a song.
The song is the start of my war, it’s my fight against the misogynistic people that live in this screwed-up world. It is also about my friends who have had terrible things happen to them by men. This song is about my own experiences with me, it is about a battle that every generation of women has had to refight|! I just wonder when this fight will end.
Two weeks ago, you posted a story on your Instagram mentioning that your post about the song was abruptly taken down due to not meeting their community standards. What happened? Which rules have been broken?
BEX: I don’t actually know why, all Instagram said was violence. I’m not convinced my post was violent, it was a retaliation to violence. I guess Instagram can’t handle the truth. Social media is the best place to raise awareness and share things like this however that’s only if they let you keep it up. I am always having posts removed. My recent profile picture was taken from Tik Tok then I was banned for a week because it was sexual, it actually wasn’t sexual, I was covered and the photo was 75% angry face!
In May, when we reviewed your debut single “Tip Toe” you were still an unsigned artist. Now you are part of the hugely successful Manchester based, Scruff Of The Neck label. How did your cooperation start?
BEX: I met Maisie Woodford from Scruff Of The Neck at the Great Escape festival. We saw each other from across the room and she told me I looked cool and so did she so we started talking. She introduced me to Mark Lippman (SOTN founder) and then they both came to my live set. We worked together over summer doing livestreams, playing Y NOT festival and then the rest stemmed from there. We all instantly got along and they understand my message and supported me from the day we met so it was a no brainer for me!!
BEX by Joe Westley
You represent a new wave of strong female entertainers in English music who call out injustice and champion inclusivity though art. What does need to change and fast in the society in the first place?
BEX: So much needs to change, it’s too much to say or I’ll have to write an essay! To put it simply: women should be treated as equals. There should be no expectations of sex just because they are female, there should be equal opportunities, there should be no inappropriate comments or touches. There should be no lack of trust that a women can get the job done. Women can carry their own gear to the stage, women can play their own instruments, women can tune their own instruments, women can walk up and down steps on their own, they can open doors, they can pack up. It’s just equality, we are not sexual, people just sexualise us. We are more than capable of doing everything.
Are there any current artists that you would like to collaborate with? We have to say a combo Yungblud x Bex would be a good one.
BEX: Honestly, collaborating is so, so, so important to develop new song writing skills and techniques. I am always in writing sessions. Even if no final song comes from it, you will still learn a great deal. There are loads of artists I would love to collaborate with. Right now, I would love to write with Dream Wife and WITCH FEVER.
You once said that more women should be involved in music and politics. Do you have any tips for those girls who see themselves in positions of power?
BEX: We need more women!!! It’s harder to break into the music industry as a female but it’s getting easier every day. I love having a female-dominated team. I am not the best advice giver, so I can only speak from my own experience. Go in with everything you’ve got, trust your gut instinct, don’t trust anyone. This is work, not school. Stand up for yourself, believe in yourself.
In recent poll for ERB Radio you were voted to most likely headline a stadium gig within next five years. Please tell us what your plans for the future are?
BEX: That’s sick I haven’t seen this poll but I’ll try find it. I have many plans for the future, I might get in trouble if I share. All I’m going to say is get ready for BEX to take over!
BEX by Joe Westley
You are teasing that a lot of gigs are prepared for this winter and the new year. Where are you planning to play?
BEX: I think I’m pretty much done for gigs this side of Christmas. We will see what the new year brings.
Last questions are always fun on Indieterria. You are not only an accomplished bass player and singer, but you are also a talented seamstress and you hand make all your merch. Imagine that Vivian Westwood invited you to prepare a new runway show for Spring 2023. What will the models wear?
BEX: Everyone would be head to toe in BEX apparel, patches, pins, miniskirts, low-waisted parachute pants, studs, and spikes!!! Just imagine an army of BEX’s, no one looks the same but the vibe is there. The biggest platform boots you have ever seen. I also would use musicians as models and each person comes out and performs one track, that would be their runway walk!
Follow BEX on the socials at:
https://www.bexofficial.co.uk/
https://www.instagram.com/bex.b.e.x/
https://www.tiktok.com/@bex.b.e.x
https://www.facebook.com/bexbexmusic
https://soundcloud.com/bexbexmusic
https://www.patreon.com/BEXBEX
https://www.youtube.com/@BEXBEXMUSIC/videos
Rita and Malicia Dabrowicz
Indieterria 
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