Billy Nomates on new album ‘Cacti’ and finding inspiration in Bristol

You might already have heard of Tor Maries, aka Billy Nomates., who has just released her second album, Cacti.

You might know Tor from her debut self-titled album which was a huge success, you might know her as the singer signed to Bristol-based Invada Records, or you might know her as the singer featured on Sleaford Mod’s track Mork n Mindy. 

But if you don’t know her then you definitely should get to know her.

Cacti is more self-reflective than her first album. There is a slight tonal shift as well, particularly on track Fawner.

Following the release of her debut album in 2020 and her EP, Emergency Telephone, in 2021, Cacti is the first album not released during some sort of lockdown.

“There’s a part of me that’s just relieved that the world isn’t completely shut down and I’ve got some music out; it really is my first experience of that so I’m really happy it’s out,” Tor tells Bristol24/7 via a Zoom call.

“I’m nervous about it, as every record, you make. They’re just like, really ugly kids of yours and you just hope the world is not going to bully it too much.”

Fortunately for Tor, the new album has not been bullied too much as it has received glowing praise from several different publications including the Guardian and MOJO, as well as the singles getting heavy rotation on BBC Radio 6 Music.

However, this is something the singer-songwriter tries not to pay too much attention to: “It’s so much out of your control that I try not to get too involved in it because it doesn’t change what you’ve made and it doesn’t change what it means.”

Cacti was recorded at Invada Studios overlooking the New Cut on York Road in Bedminster, as well as in Tor’s flat in the city. It was co-produced by James Travsacus. Taking around a year to complete, the singer spent a few months penning the tracks that made it onto the album.

“I spend a long time sort of just doodling and writing bits and pieces down, just around the house, like on bits of paper and phone notes. And I’m always noodling with melody and ideas at home or in a studio.

“I’m just kind of a bit of an outsider that just sort of observes and writes but I’m someone that writes a lot and then the next day puts it all in the bin.”

Tor credits Trevascus for helping her with the songwriting process, with some tracks that were supposed to go in the bin actually making it onto the album.

Would she say she is quite self-critical?

“I’m really self critical,” Tor laughs. “I put a lot of pressure on myself and I think I can always do better. I think I can always learn more, I think I’m always striving. And you know, in a way, I hope that never changes.”

Self-reflection is something you see in some of the tracks on Cacti, such as Balance is Gone in which the singer looks at a psychological struggle, the repetitiveness of the lyric ‘I just go round and round’ driving the point home.

Similarly, the title of the album is an internal reflection, encapsulating what the album means – surviving.

“I see cacti as total survivors, they thrive in these hostile environments and will come out of concrete in the middle of nowhere,” Tor explains.

“Symbolically, they crept into my psyche about a year ago because I was like they’re just the ultimate survivors.”

The singer cites David Bowie as a constant muse for her but there was another obsession that grew while she was making the album.

“I got really obsessed with Absolute Radio 80s. I totally shunned everything modern and had Absolute Radio 80s on whenever I was home,” Tor says.

“It took my mind somewhere else and 80s hits are just epic songs. I love how devastatingly emotional they all are. You know, like, if someone fell in love in the 80s it’s like they just bled on the track and I really loved that about it.”

With so much writing, it’s no surprise Nomates finds inspiration from all different outlets.

“I go to the Watershed a lot, I love it there. One of my favourite things to do is just to see what’s on, smuggle in a massive thing of popcorn and watch something completely new, just doing things like that or wandering around to see a band or going to the Arnolfini.

“Bristol is great for that, because you can just find ideas in places, even down to the some graffiti that appears one day. There’s so many ideas around to inform you and your way of thinking that. I think that all filters into it, you know?”

Billy Nomates describes her new album Cacti as “an internal reflection” – photo: Invada Record

Bristol is such a cultural hub and so full of talent, so are there any local bands that Tor currently has her eye on at the moment?

“I’ve been working so much, I haven’t seen anyone recently but I started following a band a couple of weeks back called Getdown Services. Somebody sent me a link and I was like these are pretty cool so they seem like ones to watch.”

The singer begins her biggest tour to date in March, with dates in the UK, Europe and the USA. She is curious to see how her North American fans will find the show: “There’s so much Britishness about my music that I’m really curious to see how it will translate.”

Tor stays tight-lipped on any festival dates as she’s still waiting for it to be confirmed but with sets at Glastonbury and Forwards Festival in 2022 as well as joining Sleaford Mods on stage for their sets, this will undoubtedly be another great year for her.

For all of Billy Nomates’ upcoming live dates, visit www.iambillynomates.com/live

Main photo: Invada Records

Read next:

• Undefined by genre, uninspired by life and unimpressed with landlords: Introducing Getdown Services
• Bristol band nominated for 2023 Grammy Awards
• Best of Bristol releases 2022

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