Hello, Beth Bombara

Hey Beth, we met a few years ago, so I feel like I know you, but for any readers that don’t, please introduce yourself. And, tell me something about you that I won’t know.

Hi! I’m Beth, I play guitar and write songs, but I also love being outdoors, working in my vegetable garden, and going on long hikes. I love food, and really enjoy trying new dishes. I’ve been known to whip up a meal when there is seemingly nothing to make a meal out of.

What can you tell me about your new album, It All Goes Up?

Well, this is the first record that I’ve steered most of the production helm than any record in the past. I had some pretty clear ideas about the songs, and then worked with my band and some guest musicians to make those ideas come to life. Doing so gave me a sense of confidence that I didn’t have before with my writing, and with working in the studio. For this record, I wanted to tap into my positive side. I feel like the previous record, Evergreen, was a little darker of an album. Sonically, I pushed myself to create space with the music, and lean into a little experimentation. Many of the songs I wrote on a classical guitar that had been collecting dust in my closet for years. Reconnecting with that guitar pulled a lot of new songs out of me for some reason. It’s amazing what a small thing like switching up your normal instrument can do for your writing. 

Where did the title come from?

The title comes from a lyric line in the song ‘Electricity’. Outside of the context of the song, it has a much more open meaning; to me it encompasses the idea that everything goes up from here.

It feels like this album leans more heavily on your voice than before, how fair is that observation?

I think that’s a fair observation. I’m getting more comfortable singing with every new record I do, It’s been a journey for me. I didn’t always want to be a singer when I started playing music but now I love it. I use to just wanted to play guitar in a band. 

Opening song ‘Moment’ is one of my favourites, it’s got some wonderful guitar on it. What can you tell me about the song?

When life sort of came back after the lock down, I wasn’t ready for it. I’d gotten used to a slower pace of life. But it was a good lesson on how we value time, and how to make the most out of every moment. We tend to get caught up in the busy-ness of life and time can feel like it’s slipped through our fingers, but it’s important to “catch” it, and create good memories that can carry us through the hard times ahead. I used the pedal steel guitars and string layers to capture this feeling of nostalgic reflection wrapped in hope for the future.

‘Carry The Weight’ is also an excellent track, what’s the story to that song?

So many people I know have been struggling the past few years, including myself, and I wanted to write something to remind us that we don’t have to face those struggles alone. Hard times will come and go, but it’s the people we surround ourselves with that make all the difference. Sometimes you need a little help, and that’s ok. Don’t be afraid to ask for it.

‘Give Me A Reason’ is a bit of a heavier-sounding song than the rest of the record, how come? (I love it by the way!)

When I took that song to the band to work out a studio version, I had written it on classical guitar. It was dark and reflective sounding, but I wanted to really lean into the heaviness of that reflection. Plugging the electric guitar in and cranking it up turned out to be the perfect way to capture that heaviness that I was feeling in the song itself.

Which was the first song you recorded for the album?

‘Moment’. It was also the first song I finished writing for the album.

You produced this record yourself, what was the hardest thing about that?

Having the final say in everything- being completely in charge is a big job. But really the hardest part was knowing when to call something done.

What did the studio process look like for you this time round? And did it differ from how you’ve recorded previously?

For the last record (Evergreen), we set up the whole band in the studio and tracked it live with hardly any overdubs. For this record we did a hybrid approach. We did the basic tracks live (drums, bass guitar, rhythm guitar), and then added strings, lead guitar, and other layers on top of that. There were two songs that we actually did get to track live; ‘Give Me A Reason’, and ‘Everything I Wanted’.

You’re touring the US over the next few weeks, where’s your favourite place to play live? Either a venue or a town.

I really love playing the Turf Club in Minneapolis, but it’s hard to pick a favourite! We’ve been having a great time in Chicago too.

And when can we expect you back in the UK?

As soon as possible…know anyone who can help with that?

Who’s another artist we should be listening to right now?

Ken Yates

What's the best bit of merchandise you have available?

An enamel pin of my cat. She is also featured on the album artwork.

What’s your best story? Music-related or otherwise.

Hard to classify as “best”, but last year while I was recording this record, I decided I needed a new classical guitar, something a bit nicer than the old student model I had. I was at Americanafest in Nashville and saw that American Songwriter Magazine was giving a way a guitar at their booth, and it just happened to be a classical guitar. I wrote my information down on the entry form, and walked away from the booth muttering under my breath…”I NEED that guitar…please give me that guitar.” And, now I have that guitar.

That is a cool story! Thanks Beth.

To find out more about Beth, including tour dates, visit Beth’s website. Or catch Beth on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

Beth’s new album is available to stream everywhere (Tidal link below) or buy It All Goes Up from Bandcamp.