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“echoes of indie-folk, splashes of electro-pop, and a solid foundation of intelligent songcraft” – American Songwriter
Andrew Belle writes songs by feel. The composition comes first, and then the melody follows. Only after Belle has an internal reaction to the composition do the lyrics finally come. Finding the right words to express what has always been there but is only now being fully realized. Track by track. Belle writes songs by feel and 2021’s Nightshade is a vibe.
On Nightshade, Andrew Belle collaborated once again with long-time producer Chad Copelin (LANY, Ben Rector, BRONCHO). He also worked with James McAlister (Sufjan Stevens, The National) and fellow artist SYML – who co-wrote “My Poor Heart”. That song became the first single off his fourth full-length album. The track is a pulsing, driving love song that chronicles the phases of a seasoned relationship.
When it came time to record the album, the Chicago-based singer-songwriter chose the vaunted Sonic Ranch Studios. Moreover, the studio is located on the US-Mexico border in Tornillo, Texas. The studio compound, which sits on a 1,700-acre pecan orchard, boasts the world’s largest residential recording studio complex. Additionally, it has been the birthplace of albums by Bon Iver, Beach House and a slew of other notable artists.
A good portion of Nightshade takes on a subject that has become part of our cultural zeitgeist – mental health. Specifically, how we deal with life itself and why a lot of us seem to be drawn toward unhealthy coping mechanisms. Also, while a few tracks address these themes head-on, the album serves as a soundtrack for those who are struggling. It is for anyone driving out of a season of perpetual midnight in their life. Further, it points toward a sunrise that is a little more hopeful – through a desert just north of the border. Nightshade is a vibe.
Recommended for Fans of Ben Rector, Greg Laswell, Joshua Radin and Mat Kearney.
LEARN MORE: https://www.andrewbelle.com/
- Genre:
- Rock/Pop