DERRY | BELFAST

2012 -

OVERVIEW SOAK is the stage name of Bridie Monds-Watson. The Derry-based singer-songwriter was a youthful 16 year old when she burst on to the scene in 2012. Bridie was born in Belfast but grew up in Derry. It was here, as a 14 year old, that she heard her brother play the riff from Deep Purple's 'Smoke On The Water' and she decided to become a musician. Her first steps into the music world came when she sang and played guitar with a band called That's What She Said. That musical project was particularly short-lived - playing just one concert. After this, Bridie decided to go solo and adopted SOAK as solo nom de plume - preferring this to using her own name. She emerged on to scene with a bang in 2012. She released her debut EP entitled 'Trains' in March of that year. While she has since claimed that she felt that this effort was rushed, the songs captivated the public. By the Summer of that year, she had returned with a new EP. 'Sea Creatures' was released on 19th July and showed once again, Bridie's ability as both a songwriter and a singer. Her talent was recognised when she won the NI Chordblossom 'Double A-Side' award. In February 2013, SOAK was part of a special line up for the Other Voices series. In recognition of Derry-Londonderry being the UK City Of Culture, the long-running festival headed north of the border from its traditional home in Dingle and took up residence in The Glassworks. 2012 - Release of 'Trains' EP [31 March] - Release of 'Sea Creatures' EP [19 July] - SOAK wins the 'NI Chordblossom Double A-Side Award' 2013 - SOAK performs as part of the Other Voices ::: Derry / Londonderry [08 - 10 February]