Skylark Galleries portraitist Stella Tooth (LINK https://skylarkgalleries.com/collections/stella-tooth) who specialises in portraying musicians at the iconic music venue the Half Moon Putney where she is resident artist - has just completed a mixed media portrait of up-and-coming folk-rock musician Beau Bennett.
Stella, a former print journalist, spoke to London-based singer/songwriter Beau about her influences, inspiration and her craft.
Beau, who lives on a boat moored near Wandsworth Park, says gets, “a spark when cleverly thought out lyrics intertwine with music.” Her debut single ‘Apricity’ was BBC Introducing’s ‘Track-of-the-Week’ and provided her and full band a summer of well-known UK venues and festivals, such as Boardmasters and Black Deer festival. She has just released her debut EP ‘Palette’
What initially inspired you to start making music?
Since I was six months old, my parents took me to gigs and festivals...which sparked my love for live music. Seeing artists such as Martha Tilston and Kate Rusby made me fall in love with folkier, lyric based music, and helped me understand how to express my emotions through song.
Your musical influences include Joni Mitchell and Martha Tilson, Fleetwood Mac. Why?
In my eyes, honesty is the most captivating thing you can do as an artist…seeing artists such as Joni and Stevie pour their hearts into their music motivates me to do the same. I also love when music enhances the story of a song and Fleetwood Mac get this right every time! Their sonic journeys of pain, heartbreak and angst bring their lyrics to life and make their music irresistible.
How do you typically approach songwriting?
For me, the chords and music tend to come first so I can get a sense of the melody, structure and musical skeleton of the song. I then start humming along and sometimes lyrics and words just fall out.
Do you have any specific rituals or routines when writing music?
I always write down phrases, concepts or poetry in my notes app or diary. This tends to happen when I’m travelling somewhere, be that train, bus, plane. The movement of going from place to place has always given me space to feel inspired... This is where many of my song concepts start – from ‘Apricity’ (my debut single) to ‘Fight or Flight’ (an upcoming single).
What themes or messages do you try to convey through your music?
I don’t write songs with a theme in mind, I try to just stay as honest and transparent as possible with what I’m experiencing or trying to capture, in the hope the audience connects with me if they’re going through something similar...However, a constant theme and message is female empowerment, namely that we can achieve great things and deserve a space and platform to present ourselves for who we are, without shame, guilt or embarrassment.
Beau is next playing the Half Moon Putney on Friday 28 November on the same bill as Leah Weller.
Join us on Saturday 20th September for a celebration of creativity and community. Enjoy live music, spoken word, and circus performances, plus art and craft activities. Encounter roving spoken word and comedy performances, as you explore the shops or enjoy a drink at our riverside location.
Stella Tooth
September 03, 2025
Many thanks for sharing Skylark!