My brain is going a million miles a minute. I have so many thoughts at once, and they just need to get written down. I just try to catch them before they slip away.”

Esther Watrous

Finding a “following” is often associated with social media these days. However, there are other, more intimate and personal types of followings to be had. Rhode Island is small, and it’s often said that everyone knows everyone — or at least “knows of” everyone. Still, gaining a following in the local music scene requires persistence and consistency.

Esther Watrous, whose stage name is Polly Bessette, is a Warren resident who is no stranger to the stage. After practicing theater and music since the age of 13, she began performing at open mics in 2015. She shared, “I started doing open mic events in college in 2015.” Her first performance where she performed her own original music for the first time was at Cafe Zog on Wickenden Street in Providence.

“I was the only one who showed up,” she recalled. She remembers the cafe owners saying, “You’re the only one here, so why not just do a show?” She ended up performing for her friends who came out that night. At the time, she lacked the confidence she now has while performing on stage. “It was pre-pandemic, and my whole state of mind and social circle was so different then,” she explained. 

Fast forward to 2025, and a decade later, things have changed significantly for Watrous. She’s gained both confidence and a growing following. “Even just last year, I was nervous and not as confident in my voice,” she explained. “Now, I play for fun, not just to get it over with.” 

The writing process 

For Watrous, the act of writing is often a spontaneous one. “My brain is going a million miles a minute. I have so many thoughts at once, and they just need to get written down. I just try to catch them before they slip away,” she shared.

As a young girl, Watrous jotted her thoughts down in a diary. Her approach to writing lyrics is somewhat similar and somewhat unconventional. “I don’t follow a typical songwriting structure,” Watrous said. “I write more in the style of poetry. I stray away from the typical format, and it is almost as if I can sing my words aloud in a poetic way.”

According to Watrous, she has always been a fan of poetry and this has influenced her writing style in many ways. Her music, which blends folk and Americana influences, is deeply personal and often introspective. She plays both the guitar and the ukulele, using her instruments to complement her poetic style. 

The lyrics are often a reflection of her thoughts on identity, social complexity, and the world around her, like a diary of thoughts. “I like to psychoanalyze the world around me,” she noted. The pages of thoughts turn into lyrics sung on stages across Rhode Island.

At an open mic event at Myrtle in East Providence on Feb. 25, Watrous took the stage (performing under her stage name Polly Bessette) with her guitar in hand and a large pink microphone in front of her. She sang whimsical tunes reflecting on her own life and the world around her. The room remained quiet as her soft voice, accompanied by melodic guitar, created an almost freestyle musical experience for the audience. 

The pink confetti-like backdrop enhanced the whimsical feel of the performance, while warm, low lighting illuminated the stage. Watrous smiled confidently as she serenaded the crowd. 

In addition to attending open mic events, Watrous is also an active participant in many areas of Rhode Island’s local music scene, having performed at events like PorchFest, which takes place in Bristol. PorchFest in Bristol is a walkable event where people come together in the neighborhood to listen to live music being played on people’s front porches, creating a unique and intimate concert experience. “I hope to join in again this coming summer,” Watrous said of the event.

For now, she is set to play an upcoming show on Mar. 26 at Myrtle in East Providence. Watrous has been nominated for four Motif Rhode Island awards in the following categories: favorite Americana vocalist, favorite folk act, favorite Americana album, and favorite music video. People can vote for her until Mar. 16 on Motif Rhode Island’s website.

Editor’s note: If interested in learning more about her music, keep in mind that Esther Watrous performs under the stage name Polly Bessette.