Introducing The Mesmerizing Pop Artist…Bel
If you’re looking for an eccentric and inventive artist then Bel is for you. Backed by an avant-pop sound and poetic lyrical content, the Melbourne-based talent is quickly becoming one of Australia’s hottest music acts. Since making her debut in 2016 with her single ‘Melancholia’, Bel has steadily released an array of tracks and projects – including her most recent EP ‘T1’. The new record – which was was written, and co-produced by the songstress – is a body of work that encompasses her evolution as an artist and sets the stage for what’s to come.
We were able to chat with Bel about everything from her new EP, her artistic music video for ‘Spectre’ and so much more. Read the full interview below…
Let’s bring it back a bit…when did you first connect with the idea of pursuing music?
When I first connected with the idea and when I made the decision are two very different things. From infancy I wanted to be in the creative industry. I loved fashion, design, art, music, writing – the works. However, coming from a highly academic and medical background, the idea of pursuit was one I pushed away until I was a late teenager. I didn’t view it as realistic and the environment in which I grew up further cemented in that ideology. When I finally couldn’t resist anymore at around 16/17, I was so lucky that my parents were supportive. They could see how driven I was, so with their blessing, I took my first step down this road.
Growing up which genres of music did your parents constantly play in the house?
Leonard Cohen, FKA Twigs, Fiona Apple, Thom Yorke, Sevdaliza. Can I throw in Björk as a bonus?
Who are five artists that inspired you the most?
T1, stands for Trilogy 1. I have an obsessive personality so the idea of doing things in threes felt very relaxing and comforting to me. I love the idea of creating bodies of work that have a start, middle and end point. It feels nice and tidy to me! I don’t want to conform to the tradition EP or LP methodology of releasing music, so this is what inspired ‘T1’. I had been working on T1 for a little while, so it feels nice to have it out.
Let’s chat about your Trilogy EP! Can you take us through the creative process for the project? How long have you been working on it?
I don’t feel like this is up to me to dictate. I want listeners to embrace whatever they feel without my preconceived notions in their head. I just hope that my openness, vulnerability and intensity inspire something meaningful at the very least in someone else.
Is there an overall message or theme that you want music listeners to feel after listening to the project?
I don’t feel like this is up to me to dictate. I want listeners to embrace whatever they feel without my preconceived notions in their head. I just hope that my openness, vulnerability and intensity inspire something meaningful at the very least in someone else.
You’re visual for ‘Spectre’ is such an eccentric and fascinating visual. What type of artistry did you want to explore throughout the v?
Thank you! I love this video too. I made this video with my dear friend James Mountford in LA. I wanted to explore the idea of puppetry and being thrown around like an old rag doll. From this idea, the Spectre video was born. We didn’t really rehearse or anything. We kind of just went nuts on the day with a “puppet show” theme in mind. I love how it turned out. Luckily for me, my background in styling and visual art allowed us to build the set pretty seamlessly without much creative exploration. I know what I want, and we arranged it quickly.
Since your debut what have been the most surreal moments you’ve experienced so far?
I don’t have one distinct surreal memory but going to a brunch that Bebe Rexha put on in LA was pretty surreal, and certainly intimidating. The restaurant had paparazzi out the front and they were shooting me when I got out of the uber to walk in and I was like, “guys, you have the wrong person.” So many famous women were there I was having a heart attack the entire time. Cyndi Lauper came up to me and complimented me on my glasses and outfit. I nearly passed out. So actually, that whole day was pretty damn surreal.
What can fans expect from Bel in the coming months?
More music, visual art to match. Maybe even some collaborations in fashion and wellness. Maybe even T2?! Who knows!
Make sure to watch Bel’s visual for ‘T1 (A spoken Word Poem)‘ below and tune into her new EP T1 here…
