China Bowls: “I am super inspired by storytellers like Kae Tempest and Julia Jacklin”

China Bowls is a regular on Bristol’s music scene, having been the first artist signed to Saffron Records.

Although now based in London, the singer-songwriter moved to the city after finishing university and lived here until the pandemic.

“I still spend a lot of time in Bristol as I have a great musical community there – it was all musicians from Bristol who played on my EP,” China tells Bristol24/7. I hope to move back some day.”

The EP she is referring to is First Light, set to be released on 27 January in which she created the visual world for it herself, making the dress that features across the artwork and videos from scratch.

China’s music fuses a range of genres, from alternative soul to contemporary jazz, her four track EP is beautifully curated, her voice soaring behind soft, guitar-focused, melodies.

The inspirations for her music has evolved over the years: “I am super inspired by storytellers like Kae Tempest and Julia Jacklin,” China tells us.

“When I was a teenager I was really into singers like Adele. I discovered Fat Freddy’s Drop in my late teens and they were definitely a big influence, and a gateway into the more soulful sound that I love now.

“As I got older I discovered artists like Hiatus Kaiyote and Lianne La Havas, who have both been big inspirations. Then through tracing their influences back I have listened to more old soul by artists like Stevie Wonder and Donny Hathaway.”

China’s influences shine through on her newest EP, her first release since 2019. Having already released two tracks from the EP, Night Owl and Holy, and with support from BBC Introducing, she explains what it’s been like to hear how people have received the songs so far.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CmMrFlqswgk/?hl=en

“It’s been good, these songs are a bit different to previous releases so it’s been nice to hear people’s reactions to a slightly different sound,” she tells us.

“I always love hearing how people relate to different songs and lyrics, it makes it feel worthwhile in those moments where you might question the choice to pursue music.”

With several formative years spent in Bristol, we’re curious to know if the singer-songwriter have a favourite venue to perform at?

“I love performing at The Louisiana because it feels like you’re in a warm carpeted cave and the sound is great! I have really enjoyed gigs I’ve been to at The Wardrobe Theatre too as it feels like a different experience to a standing gig, and people are usually super attentive.”

With the release of her EP only a day away, the singer is laser-focused on the particular body of work.

“Right now I am deep in prep for the EP release, and practising for a few gigs that I have coming up,” she tells us.

However, with so much time away, China has a catalogue of work waiting to be released.

Looking towards the future, she tells us: “I have a lot of demos of songs I’ve written in the last 2 years so also thinking about recording those, I just want to keep making things!”

First Light will be released on 27 January on all streaming platforms.

Main photo: Fred Iles

Read next:

• Billy Nomates on new album ‘Cacti’ and finding inspiration in Bristol
• From humble beginnings to a Glastonbury headliner: Introducing Jimi Needles
• Spotlight: boci

Listen to the latest Bristol24/7 Behind the Headlines podcast: