Essence explains: "'Quiet and Perfect' is a song about yearning for the perfect kind of love. It’s a fantasy about getting all you want in a person and a relationship. Many of us grew up watching love stories on TV and in films, which often depict a heightened romantic love. I later realised the many inaccuracies in them. Many had unrealistic standards of love that were either toxic and full of drama or too perfect, like in a lot of Disney movies where real struggles were not included. We all watch TV and movies to be entertained, and I love watching a heightened reality, but as a result of being young and naive, I feel like I had a warped idea of love. Even though I haven’t yet experienced it myself, I’ve witnessed that a lot of successful relationships are the ones that are simple and feel easy. They might even seem boring at first glance, and of course, they’re never completely perfect. But I think that perfect love is embracing imperfections in one another and finding treasure in the simple, mundane aspects of life as well as the big, exciting things. Sometimes love can be 'quiet and perfect' in that sense."
Born and raised in North West London, Essence's upbringing was steeped in sport, specifically tennis, practising and competing in tournaments. At 17, she took to YouTube tutorials to learn the guitar and piano, as a way to escape the pressures of constant training and competing. Despite dedicating her childhood to tennis training, Essence's journey led her to pursue her true passion in music. After a year of studying Sports Science and Biology in the US on a tennis scholarship, she made the life-altering decision to follow her heart and pursue music. Growing up listening to a diverse range of artists, from Norah Jones and Lauryn Hill to Simon and Garfunkel, and later discovering the likes of Paramore and Phoebe Bridgers, she began to define her sound.
Essence’s debut EP "Deer In The Headlights" has collectively amassed over 270,000 streams, earning editorial support on Spotify and Tidal. Her debut single "Pending Status" secured radio support from BBC Radio 1, Radio X, and BBC Introducing. Essence has toured and performed as a backing vocalist, guitarist, and keyboardist for the acclaimed artist Birdy, and this year has supported both Rachel Chinouriri and Mika at their London headline shows.
