Bex Houlihan
Interview
When did it all start?
I distinctly remember I must have been about 8 or 9 ish , I used to listen to music my mom downstairs and she would always have amazing music blasting from Celine Dion/ George Michael / Queen and so much more. I would get this overwhelming feeling when I would listen to music, It was like I was transcending to this other place . I was being drawn to music and a feeling would come over me, music made me feel so safe and excited and left me wanting more and I became just addicted to Singing after that.
I started singing really early in school but I was too shy to sing in front of people . I would hide in the toilets and sing for my friends .Thinking back now it’s so funny because I’m not shy in the slightest but what I didn’t know at that time was that I felt extremely vulnerable and emotional when performing ,I just wasn’t used to those feelings being so young. I now embrace those feelings and use them in my songs and performances.
I studied music in school and would sing at any opportunity given. I was always entering competitions even though I would be crippled with nerves . After school I moved to Spain with my best friend where I started singing on stages but after a few years I moved to Australia and that’s where and when I started performing professionally, I joined numerous bands and performed in some pretty epic venues .I met one of my best friends Ben who I wrote a lot of music with and we recorded an album and i was introduced to some amazing musicians. The pure joy I get when I’m on stage performing and singing is like no other .I am where I am supposed to be when I’m there …. It just feels so right and I now feel so comfortable.
I started singing really early in school but I was too shy to sing in front of people . I would hide in the toilets and sing for my friends .Thinking back now it’s so funny because I’m not shy in the slightest but what I didn’t know at that time was that I felt extremely vulnerable and emotional when performing ,I just wasn’t used to those feelings being so young. I now embrace those feelings and use them in my songs and performances.
I studied music in school and would sing at any opportunity given. I was always entering competitions even though I would be crippled with nerves . After school I moved to Spain with my best friend where I started singing on stages but after a few years I moved to Australia and that’s where and when I started performing professionally, I joined numerous bands and performed in some pretty epic venues .I met one of my best friends Ben who I wrote a lot of music with and we recorded an album and i was introduced to some amazing musicians. The pure joy I get when I’m on stage performing and singing is like no other .I am where I am supposed to be when I’m there …. It just feels so right and I now feel so comfortable.
What is your main motivation or inspiration?
My passion and devotion for music would be the main motivation for me. I get inspired by all different types of situations ,people ,places and things .I guess the main inspiration would be listening to other musicians , storytellers or poetry. A Song or instrumental I listen to can really capture the essence of how I’m feeling at that very moment . Sometimes words can’t fully describe our exact emotions but for me music has that special power of knowing exactly how you’re feeling , taking you on an emotional journey and leaving you feeling better afterwards…. It’s Magic!!
Define yourself in less than 10 words
A Bold & Beautiful Force of Power and Originality
Tell us about your career. Your best experience? And the worst?
My best experience would have to be performing in Luna Park in Australia in 2011 with K1 Shah . I got to perform the chorus of his song but using my original lyrics it was an amazing experience. And Yes of course there are bad experiences, but I’m not dwelling on those. I think everything in life is a learning experience and I believe a lot happens in life to teach us things and sometimes they can happen to change your path. I’m always looking at things in a positive way and to me bad things or Worse experiences have helped me carve out to be who I am
Any idol or reference?
Wow so many to choose from lately I’m listening to a lot of Aretha Franklin, Yebba, Lianne La Havas, Masego, Thundercat ,& Pj Morton but I’m always listening to Jazz, neo Soul ,funk ,rnb .I’m love finding new and exciting musicians with different styles and mixing up genres. It’s always the song or the way it’s delivered that captures me.
My idol would be Amy Winehouse. I can honestly say that I truly adore her. I’m in awe of her raw voice, It’s filled with pain & power, that’s what really draws me to her as a musician . You can be suffering completely, feel so lost but still have the ability to heal others through your own pain and that is what Amy Winehouse did. She wrote her music with a broken heart , but helped so many of us along the way with that beautiful gift . I’ll forever cherish her.
My idol would be Amy Winehouse. I can honestly say that I truly adore her. I’m in awe of her raw voice, It’s filled with pain & power, that’s what really draws me to her as a musician . You can be suffering completely, feel so lost but still have the ability to heal others through your own pain and that is what Amy Winehouse did. She wrote her music with a broken heart , but helped so many of us along the way with that beautiful gift . I’ll forever cherish her.
What are your next projects?
Bex & The Soul Train are booked to record an EP mid January in Sol de Sants recording studio in Barcelona. I’m super excited about this. We’ve just come back from Ireland where we performed 7 gigs in 3 days at the Cork Guinness Jazz Festival, it was an absolutely fantastic experience and honestly I’m so delighted we had the opportunity to go back to my home town with the Guys.
For gigs in December you can catch us in Ocaña in Plaza Reial 08002 29th December 21.00 -23.00 30th December 23.00 -01.00.
For gigs in December you can catch us in Ocaña in Plaza Reial 08002 29th December 21.00 -23.00 30th December 23.00 -01.00.
How do you see yourself in 5 years? and in 15 years?
I am and have always been musical and creative, it is my energy to life, it keeps me centered . My Dream is to be performing my Original Music in Venues around the world. Travelling around country to country singing the music you wrote and then having people connecting & singing your music back to you!!! Wow, that gives me goosebumps saying that but i’m excited and i can’t wait for that experience.
Projects
About
BEX Houlihan is an Irish born singer and songwriter who has performed in over 10 countries worldwide. In Australia she Co-wrote and performed in Wisemans circus first album and cowrote their 3rd album with Australia’s Blues Virtuoso Ben Chakravorty . BEX collaborated on Greek producer Kevin Sunray’s Album , which topped the Beatport charts with song Voices at no 1 in electronica charts & no 12 in the Beatport top 100 releases.
The artist has now relocated to Barcelona where she’s met likeminded musicians and formed a Band called Bex & D’Soultrain. Currently working on her EP with Lorenzo Spinozzi , Hernan Fridman & Bryan Curtis , creating a mix of all things Neosoul ,Funk,Rock,& RNB . The long awaited EP is set to be filled with colourful emotional tones and texturized melodic melody’s .This EP is promising some seriously catchy hooks. Keep an eye out for this magic 2023.
The artist has now relocated to Barcelona where she’s met likeminded musicians and formed a Band called Bex & D’Soultrain. Currently working on her EP with Lorenzo Spinozzi , Hernan Fridman & Bryan Curtis , creating a mix of all things Neosoul ,Funk,Rock,& RNB . The long awaited EP is set to be filled with colourful emotional tones and texturized melodic melody’s .This EP is promising some seriously catchy hooks. Keep an eye out for this magic 2023.