British Singer-Songwriter Birdy Dives Into the Cinematic Nature of ‘Beautiful Lies’

Matt Matasci

Birdy has been involved in music from a very young age, winning Open Mic UK at 12 and releasing her debut studio album at 16. That self-titled album featured covers of an eclectic bunch of rock, pop and indie artists. Her biggest hit from the album was a reworking of the gorgeous indie-folk ballad “Skinny Love” by Bon Iver. Since then, she has released a pair of LPs with mostly original music entitled “Fire Within” and “Beautiful Lies.” Currently on her “Beautiful Lies Tour,” the singer took the time to speak with Entertainment Voice about writing her own music, the theatrical nature of her stage show and the benefits of co-writing.

Now that you have released your second full-length album of original music, how is the live experience different from touring behind your self-titled album that was mostly covers?

It’s been so nice doing my own songs; I learned so much from doing the covers album it gave me a chance to finish being at school and develop my writing as well. But the writing’s always been my favorite thing to do and that’s where I felt most comfortable. So yeah it’s been wonderful, it really shows who I am.

For fans who have seen you perform before, what kinds of changes can they expect from your current tour in support of “Beautiful Lies”?

It’s a bit more theatrical. Some of that was inspired by [seeing] Kate Bush here in London and it really was like watching a theater production as well; it was incredible and I love that. A lot of the album artwork is inspired by that pre-Raphaelite painting and also a book called “Memoirs of a Geisha,” so it’s got some Asian influence as well. I think it [shows] a bit more confidence in myself and in the songs as well.

Do you find any challenges in performing your newest music?

Actually it feels more comfortable . . . I am really enjoying them and it kind of feels like the best album.  

You’ve called “Beautiful Lies” a coming of age album. Did you set out with that theme in mind or was this a quality you realized after the creative process had begun?

I think it kind of just happened naturally. This album . . . making it was a process [and] I really enjoyed it because I felt like I had a vision for the whole thing, and that was just from getting a bit older and knowing what I wanted. And also in the songwriting, I did some co-writing on my second album for the first time. I wasn’t as confident and this time around, I felt very equal and I was able to speak my mind . . . and just believed in my ideas a bit more, which is so nice.

You’ve also mentioned the influence “Memoirs of a Geisha” had on the album; in what ways did the novel have an impact on the sound and style of “Beautiful Lies”?

A lot of the imagery inspired me and just a geisha and how strong and powerful they are. And also it’s a story of a young girl and how she is ripped away from her family in the countryside and she’s becoming a woman in this weird world and she’s got to learn to fight for herself. That really resonated with me at the time.

You’ve been writing songs since you were eight, how has your songwriting approach evolved over the last decade?

It’s been so interesting working with different people . . . I got to write with a guy named Simon Aldred who is in a band called Cherry Ghost, and they wrote a song called “People Help the People,” which I covered on my first album. So meeting him was really cool and his lyrics are so powerful and very dark but also peaceful. They sound very melancholy but the message is really very uplifting and that’s the thing that has become part of this new album . . . the songs are very peaceful and uplifting, which I love.

When you are writing, is there is an approach you always take? Do you start with a melody or lyrics or something else?

Most of the time it’s melodies. I’ve always got songs in my head, little bits of music. Yeah, I can be writing stuff all day. Words take me a lot longer, I get stuck on words a lot more, so it takes me a while. But I really enjoy that too but music definitely comes first.

What differences do you find in the creative process when you are writing alone versus working with a co-writer?

It’s really amazing working with a co-writer because you push each other and also you inspire each other. It’s kind of easier to finish a song and to feel okay about it . . . kind of makes you feel reassured that you’ve got someone making it with you. And the music can go in a completely different direction from what you’d normally do. You’re inspired by what they say and that’s really cool. Whereas, by myself, I am probably a lot lazier. (laughs) I let things go and then I have to come back later and redo it. And I guess you can kind of get stuck in your own ways. It’s really amazing co-writing.  

I know you just released an LP but do you have any ideas for your next set of songs?

I’m writing all the time, bits of songs. I’m not sure yet. I haven’t thought of an overall theme. I’d love to do some film music. I really enjoyed being a part of “The Fault In Our Stars” and also “The Hunger Games” and I feel my music is quite cinematic, so I’d love to do that.