LOS ANGELES, CA- Some voices stop you in your tracks. It doesn’t happen often, but when it does, you know—you just know. That’s what happened the first time I heard Bebe Stockwell’s “Driving Backwards.” One listen and I found myself doing a double take, then diving headfirst into her growing repertoire to figure out how I’d missed a voice that felt this grounded, this emotionally resonant, this… human.
The song itself—Stockwell’s latest release and the title track from her forthcoming EP due out May 9 via Columbia Records—is a cheerful tribute to the enduring warmth of family memories. There’s a breezy lilt to the arrangement, all soft acoustic guitar and organic percussion, but it’s anchored by a lyrical core that’s beautifully nostalgic. “You turn to me and say, this house that we made, we closed and made the debt repaid, engagement day, the children raised, the cabin on the hillside still remains.” [Writers note: I could have gotten a couple words wrong]. It’s lines like these—so full of heart—that stick with you.
But it’s that voice. A raspy alto that feels like it’s been pulled from the soil itself. There’s a guttural sincerity to her tone, and when she flips into her head voice, it’s effortless—emotive and earthy in the same breath. It’s the kind of voice that makes you feel like you’ve lived the stories she’s telling, even if they aren’t your own.
Born in Boston and now based in New York, Stockwell’s roots in folk are unmistakable. After catching the ear of GRAMMY®-winning producer M-Phazes while studying at NYU, she released the breakout single “Love Me Back,” now at over 7 million streams. Since then, she’s carved out a distinct niche in the indie folk scene, blending Gen-Z storytelling with the timeless textures of Americana. Her December single “Minor Inconveniences” hit #12 on the Billboard Adult Alternative Airplay chart, further solidifying her as one to watch.
Stockwell is also set to bring her voice to the stage this spring with headline gigs at NYC’s Mercury Lounge (the first of which is already sold out), L.A.’s Moroccan Lounge, and slots at major festivals like Boston Calling and Bonnaroo.
Digging into her past releases feels like wading waist-deep into a river of Americana—clean, cold, and full of depth. And if “Driving Backwards” is any indication, Bebe Stockwell isn’t just reminiscing on the past—she’s building a legacy in real time.
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BEBE STOCKWELL 2025 LIVE DATES
Friday, 5/23 – Boston Calling – Boston, MA *
Tuesday, 6/10 – Moroccan Lounge – Los Angeles, CA !
Friday, 6/13 – Bonnaroo – Manchester, TN *
Wednesday, 6/18 – Mercury Lounge – New York, NY ! *SOLD OUT*
Thursday, 6/19 – Mercury Lounge – New York, NY !
* – Festival date
! – Headline show
