Sheffield artist Self Esteem releases single ahead of two city appearances

As Self Esteem Rebecca Taylor says she has has shaken off the shackles of her indie band past to become the unapologetic pop star that she always wanted to be.

With her statement debut recording Compliments Please she gave voice to the feelings of insecurity and sexism that many of us face every day.

Self Esteem’s new single I Do This All The Time was premiered by influential DJ Steve Lamacq on his BBC Radio 6 Music show this week.

A part-spoken ode to all the frustrations surrounding ideas of ‘correct’ womanhood, the lyrics say: “Don’t be intimidated by all the babies they have/ don’t be embarrassed that all you’ve had is fun/ prioritise pleasure.”

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Rebecca, who was formerly one half of the popular duo Slow Club with Charles Watson, said: “All my upcoming work is exploring how complicated it is to just be a human.

“I'm wonderful and I'm terrible. I hurt people and people hurt me. I feel everything and nothing. It's a s**t laugh but then it can be quite jolly, can't it.”

Rebecca directed the video for the single herself at the Almeida Theatre in London. During lockdown she has been busy with writing, painting, art-directing and also organising the all-female Instagram festival Pussy Pandemique to raise money for charity.

Self Esteem plays the Leadmill on November 11 as part of a headline 18-date UK tour. Tickets: https://www.selfesteem.love/.

She also headlines the Sunday event at the Get Together weekend festival organised by Sheffield University Students’ Union at their Foundry venue in Western Bank.

It takes place on August 8 and 9 and features Black Honey, Dream Wife, Tim Burgess, Willie J Healey, The Mysterines, Far Caspian, The Ninth Wave, Bdrmm, Bleach Lab, Blanketman, Junodream, Deep Tan and Roscoe Roscoe on Saturday.

The rest of the Sunday line-up is The Orielles, Ibibio Sound Machines, Billy Nomates, WH Lung, Buzzard Buzzard Buzzard, Martha Hill, Rose Gray, Baba Ali, Lynks, Odd Morris, T Truman and Silvertwin.

Tickets: https://foundrysu.com/

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