BONNIE KEMPLAY
SHARES NEW SINGLE ‘CHECKERS’
DEBUT EP RUNNING OUT OF THINGS TO SAY, RUNNING OUT OF THINGS TO DO
DUE FOR RELEASE ON 25TH NOVEMBER 2022 VIA DIRTY HIT
LISTEN HERE / PRE-ORDER EP HERE
(Photo Credit: Harvey Pearson
“America has gifted us like-minded lo-fi artists such as Clairo and Snail Mail. Kemplay emphatically belongs in such exalted company.” – The Sunday Times, Breaking Act
“A divine listen…alt-pop blessed with a sense of precocious innocence.” – CLASH, Track of the Day
“if this is what she’s managed in just a year, who knows what could come next” – DIY
“she’s already turning heads” – The Face
“Bonnie Kemplay is a bit special…The potential is, frankly obvious.” – Dork
Edinburgh-based rising star Bonnie Kemplay has shared ‘Checkers’, the fourth and final track to be teased ahead of her debut EP running out of things to say, running out of things to do, set for release on November 25th via Dirty Hit (The 1975, Beabadoobee, Wolf Alice). Watch the self-made visualiser for ‘Checkers’ HERE and pre-order the EP here: https://bonniekemplay.ffm.to/bkep1
‘Checkers’ draws on memories from Bonnie’s childhood holidays in Perthshire and samples an endearing video of Bonnie playing games with her brother when they were young. Speaking on the track, Bonnie adds: “‘Checkers’ is about ending a relationship with someone and reflecting on my ‘happy place’ as a distraction or coping mechanism.”Delicate and vivid, Bonnie’s debut EP is an introspective 6-track collection chronicled over a three year period during the young artist’s most formative years. Her diary-esque approach to songwriting and intimate use of guitar production is what makes her music so universally relatable; stark in places but always with emotional depth, each track serves as a personal record of her life experiences. Combined with her eccentric ear for alt-pop melodies and hummable yet vulnerable lyrics, it’s an impressive debut showcase from one of indie’s brightest young stars.
Today’s single follows on from a run of acclaimed singles on her newly signed record deal with Dirty Hit – her gorgeously cinematic debut single ‘19’, acoustic follow up ‘Was it obvious?’ and last month’s ‘Static’. All three have cemented her as a vital new voice in the bedroom pop movement, with widespread press support from the likes of The Sunday Times (Breaking Act), Clash (TOTD), NME, Notion, The Face, Best Fit, Dork, DIY and many more. Last year, Bonnie was named as the UK’s top emerging artist after beating over 10,000 other entries to perform in the world famous Radio 1 Live Lounge, joining the likes of Ariana Grande, Miley Cyrus and Stormzy in the Live Lounge history books. The talent search was in partnership with BBC Radio 1 and BBC Music Introducing, in which she unveiled her original song ‘Blushing’ and a cover of The 1975’s ‘If You’re Too Shy (Let Me Know)’.
Formerly a Jazz Guitar student at the Royal Northern College of Music, Bonnie began nurturing her love of performing aged just 11 when she was encouraged by her brother to join a community music club who supported her to explore different instruments and build her confidence. Daughter of a guitarist and a painter, Bonnie was constantly surrounded by creativity growing up in Edinburgh and counts artists such as Soccer Mommy, Julien Baker and Clairo among her biggest inspirations. Now aged just 20, she has organically racked up over 1 million streams for her self-described brand of ‘indie sadcore’ and is already turning heads for her captivating live performance, opening for Bleachers at their O2 Shepherds Bush Empire shows, as well as supporting Adele for her BST Hyde Park shows earlier this summer.
Straight out of the gate, Bonnie has proved herself to be one of the most exciting artists to watch this year and last week she announced two headline shows for next month including a performance at Sneaky Pete’s in Edinburghon 28 November, and YES (Basement) in Manchester on 29 November. Tickets are available here: http://bonniekemplay.co.uk/live/
Bonnie Kemplay: running out of things to say, running out of things to do
Tracklist:
1. Winter
2. 19
3. Checkers
4. Static
5. Blushing
6. Was it obvious?