BEL
Melbourne-based artist BEL revealed her new single “Better Than Me” on January 23rd.
The record follows the narrative of a girl who is going through various metamorphoses. Hypnotizing and captivating, BEL painted a unique atmosphere.
Directed by Roxie Halley and Phebe Schmick, a music video was revealed to accompany the single.
After a two year break from music, BEL is now returning as an empowering artist who celebrates freedom, self-worth and differences.
“Better Than Me” is now available worldwide.
Photo credit: Phebe Schmick
Introduce yourself - what’s your story?
My name is Isabelle, but I prefer Bel. I am a dork from Melbourne, Australia who loves making music, fashion, creative direction, visual art and styling. I was once on the path to doing medicine, and now I want to be a successful musician/artist and creative.
When did you start writing and singing?
I started writing songs when I was a teenager, but I started writing poetry at 5-years-old. I only sang in public for the first time when I was 16. It was then, after singing at a school talent night, that I decided to blend my love of poetry and newfound enjoyment for singing together. I didn’t grow up around music. I became obsessed overnight.
Who was the first person to believe in you?
My parents. They are my best friends and there’s no way I would be doing this without their blessing and support.
How would you define BEL, the artist?
Bel does not give a fuck. Bel is dark, mysterious, aloof, hard to read, overtly sensual/sexual, wild and free. Bel loves the freaky, but she also loves the lush and the beautiful. Bel has flames running through her body. Bel is supremely is confident and proud, but not in an arrogant way; but in the way a woman should be. Bel loves art, creation, fashion, physical self-expression and movement more than anything. Bel is also vulnerable within her strength. She is unapologetic. She is not afraid. Bel is very different to Isabelle.
'Better Than Me' is your new single. What's the story behind this song?
Better Than Me follows the narrative of a girl who is going through various metamorphoses; from passive to assertive, teenager to adult, quiet to loud. It’s a very important track to me, and I hope that the lyrics provide solace to those who are wanting to scream out the same message to whomever or whatever made them feel like they are second best.
What can you tell us about the music video? What was the inspiration behind it?
When myself, Phebe & Roxie conceived the video treatment together, it was very important to me from the get-go, to inject the strong sense of visual artistry, fashion and creative direction that feels unique to Bel. Creatives such as Phebe and Roxie from the Eye Sea Films crew were on the same page as me so it was easy to work together to conceive this video which at its core, is about not giving a fuck and being goddamn fabulous.
What message do you want to convey through your art?
There are many messages I want to convey through my art, but at the forefront of my mind right now is the necessity for all of us women, LGBTQI+ folk, POC, those who are bullied/outcasted by peers, or anyone in a minority group etc. to remember who you are, demand respect and never forget how much you’re worth.
What message do you want to deliver to LGBTQIA+ communities?
Being different is a privilege, not a curse. We are so lucky to be deviations to the norm. I believe that in the depths of my core. We have an insight and ability to be empathetic that heteronormative folk will never possess in the same way. We know the importance of love because we have to fight that a little bit harder for it.
As a human being, what do you want to achieve?
As an artist, I want to achieve each and every one of my intensely scary career goals within music, fashion, visual art, creative direction and beyond. As a human, I want to be happy and be surrounded by only authentic individuals and the truest forms of love.
In your opinion, what would make the world a better place?
The abolition of religion, and if the entire world was vegan.
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