Q&A with Bluegrass Gem, Bella White

As a music lover, few things fire me up like finding a new band or artist that instantly makes me want to devour every bit of work they’ve created. Finding a new artist or band to add to my long list of favorites seriously brings me so much joy because it now opens up a new world of lyricism and sounds to look forward to as they continue on in their music career. And as a music lover who also rambles online about their obsessions, I naturally had to share my latest discovery that has brightened up my playlists over the last month.

The artist I want to share with you today is Bella White. Bella is a young singer-songwriter originally from Canada who debuts a sound with a soul that is practically triple her age. Leaning into the bluegrass and country roots of growing up listening to her father’s band, Bella has found a way to take that bluegrass influence and sharpen it with her delicate yet gut-wrenching song writing.

photo by Portia Burton

I came across Bella through hearing the title track of her album, Just Like Leaving, and I was immediately drawn in by the clean and crisp sound of some damn good bluegrass and lyrics that actually made me feel. I have previously said that in the spring months I enjoy listening to quite a bit of folk and bluegrass music, so discovering this album couldn’t have come at a more perfect time. Additionally, I am the daughter of a fiddle player so songs with a good fiddle always find their way into my heart. As I dove head first into her debut album, Just Like Leaving, I gave myself time to really listen and feel the songs. At first the collection of songs seemed like just a simple bluegrass album, but the further I listened to it, I realized what a well thought out and self aware collection of songs it was.

In this album, Bella walks us through her coming of age stories and experiences in relationships with songs that perfectly touch on the heartbreaking and hopeless feelings that accompany that part of life. In particular, her song “Broke (When I Realized)” absolutely punched me in the gut when I realized she was sharing her experience of her parents’ divorce. As someone whose parents also divorced around the the age of 12, I have never in my life heard a song that made me feel as seen as this one. In this song she opens with lyrics that flawlessly describe the helpless and heartbreaking feelings that come with connecting the dots of the situation at hand and realizing the happy family you thought you had wasn’t that happy after all.

Other songs on this album go into the intimate details of heartache but also finding a sense of strength and independence after coming to terms with those feelings. I could truly go on and on about this album and its wonderful artwork on emotions and sounds, but I figured it would be better to hear from the artist herself on more about her and her sound. After devouring Just Like Leaving, I was crossing my fingers that Bella would be willing to answer some questions of mine and fortunately for me, she was! Continue reading for a quick Q&A with Bella White:

photo by Portia Burton

Me: Was music something you always knew you would do or did it sort of just happen?

Bella White: “A little bit of both. I always had a big love for singing and writing and listening to music so it was always something that I wanted to do, but the idea of being a professional musician didn’t feel very tangible until I was around 16 or 17 and saw that there were ways of doing it that weren't just selling out stadiums and being some kind of major popstar. At that point it very much became a choice.”

Me: One of the main things that drew me to your music was your older sound. Are your biggest musical influences more on the classic side or how did you realize you fit into that sound so perfectly?

BW: “I would say that I have a wide range of musical influences both classic and modern. I grew up listening to a lot of bluegrass from the 50’s and I think because of that it was always something that I was partial to without even realizing it. I always loved to try and emulate artists like Bill Monroe and The Stanley Brothers.”

Me: What would be some of your dream collaborations?

BW: “I would love to collaborate with some of the greats like Emmylou Harris and Joni Mitchell. Perhaps a little on the nose but it's the truth!”

Me: Although you are still pretty young, your old soul shines through in your music. Do you think you’ll continue to create music with this older bluegrass sound or are you still wanting to experiment with your sound?

BW: “A bit of both. Old bluegrass will always be my bread and butter but I am definitely feeling inspired to explore other sounds and areas of music, though I don't really see myself straying too far.”

Me: What are you looking forward to the most for the rest of this year? 

BW: “I am looking forward to making my next record, releasing new music and being out on the road!”

Having a chance to chat with Bella and learn that she is working on new music fills my music loving heart with so much joy! Coming across Bella’s music, sound, and familiar experiences has given my soul a refreshed feeling that I didn’t even know I needed. I seriously urge you to give Just Like Leaving a listen and let her music give you the soul cleanse that you may not even know you need.

I will continue to be looking forward to whatever else Bella puts out and will absolutely try to catch a show next time she is in the Austin area.

Thanks for reading!