Rising singer-songwriter Karen Bella, whose sound has been hailed as “authentic, timeless, and dreamy” (Music Mecca), has announced that her latest, self-titled EP has entered the Top 40 charts, hitting #30on the Folk Alliance International Folk DJ Radio Charts for the month of March.
The Fishman®-endorsed performer and recent Sam Ash Music Store “Spotlight Artist” received early support from some of the top folk DJs in the country thanks to “tunes [that] are captivating, production [that] is exceptional, and the vocal performance is amazing” (Bob Bennett,WUSB 90.1 FM StonyBrook University Radio). In fact, Bennett said “Karen Bella is an EP that you will find yourself listening to over and over again.”
Additional folk shows, both within the U.S. and overseas, that have aired songs from Bella’s latest release include Artie Martello’s “Power Folk” on bluesandrootsradio.com and “Mostly Folk” on WIOX; Carolyn VandeWiele’s “Tuesday Morning Mix” on WFHB; Joltin Joe Pszonek’s “The Train Wreck” on www.folkmusicnotebook.com; Colin Fielding’s “Folk n Roots” on 3INR (Australia); Jim Welsh’s “Music Routes” on Radio Summerhall (Scotland), Friedrich Hog’s Radio Free FM in DE (Germany) and many more.
However, it wasn’t just folk radio DJs who quickly embraced Bella’s album. Long Island 94.3 FM The Shark Morning Show Host Brian Orlando, who has played the EP’s single “Jack Honey” several times on his show and interviewed Bella, said:
“’Jack Honey’ is every bit sultry as it is summer. Karen’s talent teleports you to where she wants you to be, which, at the moment she starts singing, is exactly where you NEED to be.” – Long Island 94.3 FM The Shark Morning Show Host Brian Orlando
After postponing the album’s release due to the Pandemic, when Bella suffered a wrist injury then contracted Covid herself, the singer-songwriter says this is her most mature and complex work to date.
“Karen Bella is a heartfelt record that transcends genres and symbolic relationships,” she said. “I invite listeners to take a journey through triumph and tribulations, wonderment and weariness and, most of all, love and hatred.”
To achieve this, she enlisted multi-instrumentalist Josh Dion of Paris Monsterto produce and help create an album that she says “captures her experiences and spirit,” and one that is being called her strongest to date.
Perhaps the most pivotal element of the NY-singer-songwriter’s EP is its lyrics. Describing them as “at times, light and free, then diving without apology into traumatic relationships, betrayal, and past struggles with substance abuse,” the words are instrumental in ensuring that every song has a different twist stylistically.
Yet, thanks to the production team that included Dion, Grammy®-Nominated Engineer Jake Lummus, and Nate Woods (mastering), as well asprestigious musicians such as Teddy Kumpel, Geoff Kraly, Chris Parker and Ryan Scott, a consistent, crisp, authentic, timeless, sound is woven throughout the album.
This wide variety of influences, combined with Bella’s life and musical experiences, have culminated in a collection of songs that is as dynamic and complex as the singer-songwriter herself. Standout tracks include the catchy, County alt-rock anthem “Jack Honey” that Indie Spoonful described as “a song with two sides to it and both are vibrant and well arranged. It’s the type of song that will bring out the inner badass in you and it’s an awesome reminder to have fun with this short life we’re given” (see full review here: Indie Spoonful Karen Bella Review) as well as the upbeat, pop rock track “Indio,” which showcases her laid-back, care-free side. More folk-influenced singles like “Needle In The Hay” and “Good Morning” celebrate her often introspective nature.
Karen Bella is Bella’s sophomore release following her debut album Ordinary Girl in 2013. In between releases she spent her time touring and performing and, prior to the Pandemic, was playing live eight to 10 shows a week in the Tri-State area, at such notable venues as the Rockwood Music Hall, The Bitter End, the Landmark Theater in Port Washington, Great South Bay Music Festival and the Philadelphia Music Festival. She also earned a VIP audition for NBC’s The Voice during this time.
Ultimately, her dream was always to release a collection of songs that she was proud of and that embody the culmination of her musical – and life’s – journey. Thus, Karen Bella was born and is finally being celebrated the way it was intended.
The official track-listing for Karen Bella is as follows:
Fly
Indio
Needle In The Hay
Good Morning
Jack Honey
San Andreas
Preview the album:
Soundcloud:https://soundcloud.com/karenbella/sets/karen-bella
To learn more about Karen Bella, visit www.karenbella.com
Follow on social:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KarenBellaMusic
IG: https://www.instagram.com/karenbellamusic/?hl=en
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/6xb1sCK8IC4xnd6jHF6jhc
