Talking Tracks with BINA.
On her first headline show, dream festival line-up and the vulnerability of songwriting.
BINA. by Patrick Williams
BINA., a talented neo-soul and jazz artist from South London, released her first single, ‘Summer Breeze’, in 2018. Since then, she has continued to grow and evolve, releasing her latest single, ‘Just Like Her Father’, this summer. Her incredible vocals and soulful melodies make her music truly unforgettable.
We were beyond honoured to have her perform at Cross The Tracks 2023, where she blew our minds with her infectious energy.
We spoke to BINA. about her experience at Cross The Tracks, the vulnerability of her songwriting and her upcoming headline show on November 10th. Could a transition into the world of heavy rock also be on the horizon?
BINA. performing at The Caboose stage
Taking the stage at The Caboose on May bank holiday weekend, BINA. packed the tent and left the audience spellbound. As she recalls, "It was surreal! [...] everyone was so present yet lost in the music at the same time."
BINA. had Cross The Tracks on her vision board for this year. “To see it manifest and go so well. It was super emotional" she confessed, even shedding tears of joy after her set finished.
“All the hugs and conversations and love from close friends, long-time fans and new fans alike was beautiful. It definitely put me on cloud nine”
Her incredible outfit that day was curated by her talented stylist Margaret Zawedde. "She had me looking TOO GOOD!" BINA. exclaimed, and TBH we agree!
BINA. describes her musical sound as “like a warm hug," blending elements of soul, indie, and jazz. It “pays homage to both my light and my dark sides,” she acknowledged.
Her sources of inspiration are rooted in neo-soul and jazz, having grown up listening to icons like Erykah Badu and Amy Winehouse. In her early teens, she got into the classics with Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, Sade and explored the soulful magic of Solange. Lately, she’s been finding inspiration in the fusion of R&B and indie music, including artists like Fousheé, Nick Hakim, Mac Demarco, and Lianne La Havas.
Following on from the high of performing at Cross The Tracks, if BINA. designed a festival line-up she would include Sampha, Yves Tumor and Fousheé. After seeing them live, these artists hold a special place in her heart. However, Sampha remains on her must-see list, "his tickets keep selling out before I even get a chance!" she added.
We wanted to learn more about BINA. Who she is and what drives her. So we asked her our most pressing and peculiar questions.
BINA. by Patrick Williams
If you had to 'Cross The Tracks' and venture into a completely different genre of music for a day, which genre would it be?
It would be Rock you know! Like Heavy Rock. I already enjoy music that flirts with elements of Rock, and some of my favourite songs I’ve made of late are very much rooted in the fusion of Indie/Alternative with my original Soul/Jazz flavours. So if I had the chance and courage to push the boat out like that for a day that would be mad!
What fruit best represents your personality, and why?
I think my personality is like a mangosteen. Like there’s a lot of sweetness in me, and my outer skin is tender too when you break through. But from a distance, I think the more intense aspects of my personality - like my eye contact, or the passion when I speak - makes people think I’ll be tougher or meaner than I am. But I’m actually a sweet, soft thing. And extremely emotional.
Also, Mangosteen is used in traditional medicine, and I would say that matches my healing qualities that you find in my music and my general personality. (I’m a nerd, sorry x)
Who are you listening to right now?
I’m listening to Saya Gray - big up my friend and fellow artist L E M F R E C K who put me on to her! I’m also listening back to a lot of Stevie Wonder. And Subculture’s new project, Mauve Rain. I’ve also been loving The Cavemen, an amazing band from Nigeria. I listen to their song ‘Osondu’ almost every morning.
What song would be on the soundtrack of your life?
It’s gotta be Parking Lot by Anderson .Paak or Didn’t Cha Know by Erykah Badu. It’s a tie!
Do you have a favourite South London venue?
I loved O2 Brixton before it closed :( I saw Hiatus Kaiyote there last year. I love Electric Ballroom too though! I saw Ari Lennox and Smino there in 2019 so I have many great memories from Brixton Road alone.
What is your favourite part of the creative process, from songwriting to production to performance?
For the songwriting aspect, what I love most is being surprised by what pours out, emotionally. I often channel subconsciously so it’s like I’m rummaging in the back of my chest of drawers and find an old journal. That’s the beauty of making music: I sometimes end up healing wounds I didn’t know I had, processing things I underestimated the impact of.
When I’m performing, I love the real life connections I get to have with the crowd - from the eye contact, to people singing along, to the hugs and conversations after the show. I love the way no two performances are ever the same, and over the years I’ve allowed myself to live more presently in those moments.
BINA. performing at The Caboose stage
Do you find songwriting to be a vulnerable process, and if so, how do you handle it?
It’s extremely vulnerable! Most of the time I’m talking about things I’ve personally experienced. I always have to be emotionally connected to what I sing so it’s always close to home; sometimes I’m on the verge of tears as I write the song. Other times I channel the emotions blindly, like on some out-of-body type shit, then I listen to the song later and cry as I realise how much the song means to me.
I’ve come to quite enjoy the vulnerability; I find it quite exhilarating now, it’s like I’m running in the street naked, lol. I never know who’s gonna see me, hear my innermost thoughts, and even as the beat or my guitar chords speak to me, I am never sure where the emotions will take me. That’s the exciting part of writing.
It took time to get here though! I was afraid the first time I released a song that was about someone other than myself. Like directly tackling emotions that I would have to own up to when people ask who or what the song was about. And I almost talked myself out of releasing the song - that was Boundaries. Since then I’ve made it a challenge myself to dig as deep into my emotions as possible when I write because it’s always healing and cathartic for me and those who hear it when I release. And the worse that happens? I cry a bit, smudge some mascara, but at least my heart feels lighter for it.
In ‘Just a Sec’ you describe yourself as a “20-something with no clue” but if you could go back in time, what advice would you offer your younger self?
I would tell Baby Beenz that everything always goes the way it needs to. Be patient, kind and gracious to yourself. And understand that although this life is an important game, it’s not a serious one. Cartwheel in the street, do some dumb shit on purpose lol. That’s how you learn about yourself that young.
BINA. performing at The Caboose stage
BINA. is preparing for her first headline show on November 10th at The Lower Third, which is fast approaching!
This performance holds a special place in her heart, as it's an opportunity to share her growth and creative journey with her audience. "It's like inviting all the friends I've made at parties to my house for the first time," she described.
She continued, "Everyone will get to see where I’ve come from, since age 18 when I started really making music, now. They’ll get a preview of where I’m going - creatively and just…as a person, as a woman coming into her own". It’s going to be a "magical and emotional night [...] just seeing all those faces, showing love for me and Ashainë White (my show opener). It’s gonna be crazy!"
"Truly, it’s gonna be a show that no blurb or prior description can do justice - you’ve gotta just be there." We 100% agree with her. It is definitely not one to miss.
Follow BINA. on Instagram. Make sure you grab tickets to see her live at The Lower Third on November 10th. Trust us, it is going to be an incredible experience.