New England country pop songwriter Bekka Dowland aims to uplift us with songs that feel close to our lives. Inspired by her experiences and ones that resonate far and wide, Dowland's heartfelt melodies and relatable lyrics makes for an intriguing yet engaging artistry that beckons us with warmth and wonder in equal parts.
In her latest single "Be A Little Kinder," she delivers a pick-me-up laden with emotion and storytelling. Rooted in a sense of realisation and understanding that everyone goes through things in their lives, the track acts as the perfect, immersive primer to upcoming debut album. With her album in the works, Dowland not only continues to polish her musicality but deepen her connection with those around her – bringing in varied emotions and experiences into an equally diverse sonic landscape.
Speaking to Earmilk, she delves into her new single "Be A Little Kinder," what we can expect from her debut album, the evolution of her sound and more.
- Take me through your musical journey and how 2026 has been shaping up so far, especially with the release of your single “Be A Little Kinder.”
I’ve always enjoyed storytelling and pulling inspiration from real life experiences that I’ve had personally. I think I’ve grown a lot within my releases, especially with my latest single. I really wanted 2026 to start off on the right foot by releasing a song that inspires listeners to incorporate little things in their day to day life. I thought the world could use a little pick me up and the response on “Be A Little Kinder” has been great.
2.How has your sound evolved over time, leading up to the message and tone we hear in “Be A Little Kinder”?
I think as I navigate through life and figure things out, my songs reflect where I’m at during a certain time. I’ve primarily written songs from a sassy or heartfelt point of view, but with “Be A Little Kinder” I wanted to capture different emotions that I haven’t really touched on in my music. As I grow in my songwriting, I feel my sound grows with me and I want to continue bringing a fresh country vibe to the table.
3.What can you tell us about your debut album, and how does “Be A Little Kinder” fit into the bigger picture of the project?
My debut album is a concept I have had in mind for a while. Each song represents an event or a feeling I’ve had over the past decade of my life. I wanted to share stories and emotions that I feel just about anyone can relate to whether that’s feelings of hope, heartbreak, happiness, etc. “Be A Little Kinder” fits perfectly into this project as it brings a sense of realization and growing up into the mix.
4.What’s been your most surreal moment or career highlight so far?
When my single “Malibu” landed #6 on an independent music chart, I truly thought I was dreaming. That song had reached so many different parts of the US and the response was unreal. It was a song that was written about a bottle of rum and I couldn’t believe it resonated with so many people. That was a moment where I honestly felt like I was “cool” (and that never happens).
- With “Be A Little Kinder” out in the world, what’s next for you? What are you most looking forward to in this next chapter of your music?
I have a couple of singles up my sleeve that I’m planning to release before the album comes out. I’m really looking forward to listeners hearing this project in full. I really think these songs are going to represent how I’ve grown and evolved from my past releases. I’m really looking forward to sharing these stories and seeing what resonates with listeners.
Connect with Bekka Dowland : Instagram
