Bessie Turner is one of those oddly calm rockers, a guitar-led singer-songwriter not afraid of the odd riff, but able to lift audiences with emotional insights and deeply personal stories.

It’s been a tough couple of years for the Suffolk-based singer, who’s recovered from a near-death experience to take her musical story on the road. I caught up with her ahead of her show in Dublin’s Sound House, supporting Gengahr, to talk over new single ‘Donkey’, and how she’s bounced back…

Donkey seems to be something of a treatise on life’s frustrations – understandable. Does your music generally offer a type of therapy?

147437%. I can’t imagine not being able to express myself in this way. I’m really lucky I do, I’ve been writing since I was tiny.

I don’t know about in the UK, but in Ireland surviving as an artistic, creative type is very hard. How are you finding it so far?

It’s not easy but that’s part of it. Financially it would be impossible for me to survive at the moment from my music but that just adds to the drive and experience of it. I already look back fondly on how it all came about from nothing and nowhere.

You seem to be drip-feeding your music. Does it just make sense for you at the moment?

Exactly. I was quiet for so long in terms of releases due to ill health and building myself back up again so it feels so good to be in the position to just keep popping songs out.

How far off is an album likely to be, and what would you expect to change when it comes to producing one?

That’s a tough question. I’d love to release an album this year but it has to be right. I’ve met some amazing producers so it’s just convincing someone to invest their time on me really!

I guess the forthcoming show is one of your first in Ireland. Are you expecting anything to be different when you play here?

The Guinness to be the best tasting of all time ever. I’ve never been to Ireland but Guinness is my go to drink and I’ve heard it’s the best ever in its place of birth…..

Are you concerned what Brexit might mean for shows like this one?

I try not to think about it. It’s an obvious mistake, it gets way too much airtime and I don’t like encouraging the people that voted poorly with my thought processes. I love the EU.