Eva Bee

Name, where are you from?
Eva Bee, Manchester.

What’s the first thing you think of when you hear the words ‘Manchester’ and ‘Music’?
I think of no limits. I think of not giving a single f**k and the passion that comes with it. I think of raving under motorways and the songs my mum used to play in the kitchen. I think of community, a spirit and connection that is unlike any other.

What part has Manchester played in your own musical journey?
Manchester took me in, the nightlife, underground spirit I come from gave me a home, I met family there, people who had the same fire in their belly as me to get whatever it was I was feeling, out there. It's such a creative city and I feel all the creatives always gravitate to each other, whether it's from the love of a good party, or the love of good music. The support has always been there for my music as I feel there's always a bit of Manchester in the subjects of my songs, or a story from my days. I reckon the people like that, I got that from the olders, always representing everywhere we go, I'm lucky they've always looked after me and all the up and coming talent, which is a tradition we can't lose.

Why do you think Manchester has produced and inspired so many amazing musicians?
Something in the water mate, honestly. Someone must've dropped a load of drugs in the canal in the '70s and it's just gone mental from there. It's a special place man, the rough edge the city has, there's attitude here, a bit of charisma, proper dead cool people who don't just shout about it but take the Mancunian pride everywhere they go. We’ve always struggled here, it’s never been easy pickings and that just fuels our fire... there’s always story’s and real stuff happening so all the feelings and thoughts goes straight into the music. There's no box either, no one's bothered about dog eat dog, we just make wicked art and have a buzz.

Tell us about your favourite ever gig in Manchester?
This is a hard one as I've been sneaking onto microphones since I was about 15, my memory is a little bit hazy but I've got a few favourites. I reckon seeing Slum Village at Sound Control (RIP) in about 2008/9, my boys RedEyeQ were supporting Slum which was an absolute madness seeing them represent like that, really bridged a gap for me seeing a group like Slum Village who's beats, rhymes and bars were few and far between with my mates and them getting a similar response from the crowd, a very eye-opening moment to see how strong UK Hip Hop was.

How important do you think the Northern Quarter is in terms of Manchester’s musical scene?
Like I said, creatives gravitate together in this city, and the NQ in my eyes has always been the hub of that creativity, whether it's at a bar, club or sitting outside Eastern Bloc in the sun with a few tinnies, you're always gonna see someone and you're always going to end up collaborating. It's ours, we feel so protective over it, I know I do! We've lost so many sick venues and bars. I really hope it's going to get more investment for the culture, not just turn into posh coffee shops with people with no manners.

Where’s the best place to discover new music in the NQ?
Eastern Bloc is mega, always a sick selection of music and the occasional events, nice little seating area outside and bar, proper good. To catch an earlier show, Inner City Waves at Band on the wall for local new talented musicians, Kraak Gallery, shit sound but cheap beer, Night & Day is an absolutely mega venue as is The Castle. If you've missed your last train home, go to Soup Kitchen and Mint Lounge till the early hours. Bound to find something you like! I've recently discovered the basement in Wilson's, I think it's called, very cool 1920's looking space.

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