BEX is back with new single Fairies and headline gig at The Garibaldi

And, to celebrate its release the Northampton singer songwriter is returning to the Garibaldi as part of a run of dates across the UK.

For the past year, BEX has found herself in a sort of limbo, navigating the complexities and frustrations thrown her way by the record industry and figuring out how to reignite her desire to ‘be BEX’.

She hopes Friday’s gig at the Northampton venue – where she previously launched her 2023 EP Scum – will mark the start of the next chapter in her career.

“It’s going to be really good,” she says. “When I thought to do a release show – there’s only one place I could do it. It’s gotta be the Gari.

“I haven't released anything in over a year and so much life has happened and got in the way. It’s taken this long to sort of get everything back on track since then.”

Fairies was written by BEX with her producer Sam Cramer and bassist Josh Paine.

While BEX’s previous singles have had a distinct punk riot grrrl edge and attitude, her new single takes her sound in new directions, one she describes as ‘softer’ and more influenced by 90s alternative and grunge.

“I wouldn't say it's punk rock anymore,” BEX explains, it’s more 90s grunge, a bit Garbage, a bit Nirvana. It’s softer, it’s got some acoustic guitar in it, which is a first for me.

“It’s a lot more sung. A bit more Wolf Alice sort of vibes. It’s quite different really.”

BEX adds the shift wasn’t intentional or through any desire to sound like a particular artist – rather something which just “kept happening”.

“I kept writing songs that didn't really fit the ‘BEX mould’ anymore,” she admits, before adding, “But it’s all the ‘BEX mould’ because I am BEX.

“I thought I'm just going to stick with this because clearly this is what I want to create.

“I think it’s a part of growing up because I don't listen to the same music I listened to four years ago, two years ago or one year ago.

“I don’t wear the same clothes, I don't eat the same food, things and people change all the time.”

That shift has also extended to the music BEX has been listening to this year, with the likes of Olivia Rodrigo and Gracie Abrams both acts she reveals are on constant rotation.

BEX found herself in limbo after being poised to sign to a record label and then in a dispute over the songs she had recorded.

The frustrations and realities of the industry are further explained by BEX as being a career where she feels everyone around the artist makes money – except the artist themselves.

“Everything costs an arm and a leg and it's a constant questioning of ‘why am I doing this’,” she says. “You really, really, really have to love it because there's no payout.

“It's really daunting, Am I going to make a sustainable career off of this thing that is the only thing I want to do? I'm having to pay everyone but no one's paying me.”

Despite the challenges, BEX has no intention of giving up, joking “ignorance is bliss”. “There's nothing else I would do,” she says.

“I would be so miserable. I just pretend I'm making money every day, even though I'm not and just hoping one day it's all going to pay out.”

One aspect of the industry where BEX has been able to generate income and channel her creativity is through making her own merch and clothing brand Scallyways.

Initially, this came through a love of making things, but also because of the cost savings and her desire to provide fans with bespoke items.

“All I want to do is make things all day every day and then it also really helps because there's no big upfront cost,” she explains.

“Buying 100 plain t-shirts is a lot cheaper than buying 100 t-shirts that have got your custom print on them. It took away big upfront costs and it meant that I can just make more merch options.

“I like things a lot - then a week later I don't like them anymore. It means I can do small runs of things and then do something else.

“I kind of love that when my fans come to the show, they're all in different BEX t-shirts, hardly any of them have the same ones.”

This year has seen BEX play at the likes of Download, GlastonFerret, Kendal Calling, SXSW London, Takedown and Manchester Punk festivals.

However, it was dates opening for the Nova Twins and the chance to play at a fan’s wedding which she says have been the highlights.

Talking about the former, she says: “We only did a few dates with Nova Twins but they were really cool.

“Touring with anyone, whether they're bigger or smaller than you, you're always going to learn new things because everyone goes about it so differently because there's no rulebook of how to play a show or how to tour.

“No matter how big the band is, whether it's Nova Twins or bands down the road, there's always an opportunity to learn something new.”

Many of the attendees at the wedding were members of BEX’s fan club – the Scum Club.

Festival. Bex adds: “There were so many BEX fans there and all of her friends and family.

“It was really fun for us to see her home life and also for her friends and family to see where she’s going every weekend.”

The aforementioned Scum Club was set up by BEX around two years ago to better keep in touch with her fans.

Despite having a strong social media presence across multiple platforms, BEX argues now-a-days, it’s become impersonal with little genuine connection – which is where the Scum Club comes in. Social media is so disconnected from the real world nowadays,” she explains.

“People will comment under a post but it's not really like there's a connection there.

“I thought it was just easier to have a group where we can all talk.”

Despite this, the need to remain active online and ‘feed the algorithm’ remains with BEX explaining when you’ve put so much time into making music, artwork and videos – the same effort needs to go into ensuring it lands on people’s feeds.

The tour to support Fairies kicked off with one gig in Preston in August, however, the main run of dates will see BEX play in Milton Keynes, Northampton, two gigs in London with further dates in Manchester and Guilford. The shows will combine full band gigs, a mini orchestral show and acoustic performance.

Looking ahead to this week’s gig at The Garibaldi, BEX said: “We’ve got loads of new songs, loads of old songs and a really long set.

“We’ve got a music video screening, pop-up shops, that one is going to be a proper full BEX blowout.”

Explaining her decision to mix things up on this run of dates, BEX adds: “There’s so many different ways these songs can sound, I just wanted to try something new.

“I don't think anyone should ever be predictable.”

Three years on since she last played at the Garibaldi, BEX is urging people to turn out and support the venue which re-opened this year following a short period of closure.

She said: “I really want to support them and try and get the Gari back up to what it was. “They’re reaching new audiences and they've got the ales and beers and all that which I think is great.

“But, we also need to club together as the music scene and bring back all the audience that used to love the Gari and show them why they loved it and show them while it's never going to be the same, it can be different and still that hub for young people to hang out as well as for other people.

“We know it's never going to be what it was, but I think we can still have those fun nights there.”

In terms of what’s on the horizon for BEX, Fairies will inevitably lead to more new music.

Without revealing full details just yet, BEX said: “I’m just excited to be doing it again, doing all the things that I want to be doing.

“I just want to be as genuine to myself as I can and hope that everyone likes it.”

BEX headlines the Garibaldi in Northampton on Friday, September 25.

Tickets are free but attendees are urged to register in advance because of the venue’s limited capacity. For more information and tickets, visit https://linkinbio.hoot.fan/bex