Credit: Emmeline Rovins
Boston based multidisciplinarian Bella Steele has unveiled their new EP Loom, a collection of four tracks steeped in emotion and enrobed in intensity. Throughout the EP, Steele’s soft vocal peers in and out of the darkness before giving over to the booming guitar and percussion, then existing simultaneously like a songbird in a hurricane. Pet Fox’s Theo Hartlett appears on drums and bass, Steele leads on the guitar, piano and vocal with mixing by Chelsea Ellsworth (Entropy Tether Studios) and mastering by Otto Klammer. The product is a release fully aware of when to slow things down and when to pick them right back up again. We chatted with Steele before the release today to discuss influences, themes and having a more “professional” recording experience…
‘Loom’ Artwork; Credit: Emmeline Rovins
Allston Pudding: How did you land on Loom as the title?
Bella Steele: One of the songs was initially titled “Loom,” eventually [renamed to] “Well.” When I decided that wasn’t the right fit for the song; felt too personal, dark, and pessimistic, I got to thinking about the EP as a whole having a lot of “looming” qualities; be it sonically, emotionally, logistically. I also like the reference to a physical loom, how everything is connected and circles itself, which I think is a theme I think about a lot.
AP: How do you feel this differs from previous releases?
BS: It feels very different. This time I looked for, and really welcomed, help and collaboration from friends. I think I was writing and thinking about more than just a break-up; not that that isn’t great grounds for an awesome record… I think having this more professional recording experience; and Theo, who plays on the record, being an awesome person to bounce things off of, allowed me space to get weirder within the work itself.
AP: Who are your main influences or inspirations?
BS: O’ man, for influences, it’s all over the place. I listen to a lot of Emma Ruth Rundle, Thou, Angel Olsen, Wednesday, True Widow, Sasami; to name a few…ideal music to me seems to be heavy and femme-fronted; though not all on that list are. Being surrounded by so much awesome local music has been huge too.
AP: We’re there any tracks that didn’t make the cut?
‘Loom’ Concept Art; Credit: Bella Steele
BS: It was always a four track EP. I like the short but roller coaster journey it takes me on; from matter of fact in my feelings, to existential, to dark and personal, to hopeful and unaware.
AP: Which song do you feel most connected to?
BS: I’d say I feel the most connected to “dripping”; possibly because I have the most fun playing it. That one feels humble but intense, which I find is what I connect to the most when listening.
AP: Now that the EP is out, what does the rest of the year look like for you?
BS: There will be a release show this summer, but nothing is set in stone yet.
Check out the new EP ‘Loom’ from Bella Steele below! Follow them on Instagram and check out their website for more information.