Singer-songwriter Andrew Belle is blowing full speed into the contemporary folk pop music world.
Growing up on radio pop tunes by bands such as the Counting Crows, the Verve Pipe and Third Eye Blind, it is no surprise of Belle’s tendency to create catchy, laid back and accessible pop sounds.
Easily comparable to more current pop artists Coldplay, Ben Fold’s and John Mayer, Belle holds his own while still clearly latching onto the tastes of the genre’s existing fan base.
The Chicago-born Nashville resident is a member of the critically acclaimed national tour Ten out of Tenn, and is making a solo stop at River of Fire Fest July 4 in Kennewick, Wash.
Currently touring in support of his recent full-length release “The Ladder,” Belle is keeping up the momentum of his acclaimed 2008 EP “All Those Pretty Lights.”
The February 2010 release has reached the number one spot on the iTunes singer/songwriter charts, and charted in the top 25 on the Billboard Heatseakers Chart. MTV recently called Belle the best breakout artist from Chicago for his thoughtful, captivating pop melodies, and for title track “The Ladder” he was awarded the John Lennon Songwriting Award.
Opening “The Ladder,” the song sets the tone for the entire album with heartfelt lyricism regarding struggles in love, intimacy and bittersweet moments in relationships.
Climbing the ladder, a theme prominently featured throughout the 10-song album, symbolizes Belle’s willingness to adapt, challenge and offer more to his partner. His lyricism is simultaneously realistic and poetic, sung in a vocal style undeniably comparable to Chris Martin of Coldplay in several songs.
Belle features fellow Ten out of Tenn artist Kate Herzig in a sweetly catchy duet “Static Waves.” Herzig’s delicate voice blends seamlessly with Belle’s clear, clean vocals as she repeats the chorus line “I would have let you leave.”
Belle does an outstanding job of creating ultra mellow music that penetrates the listener’s emotions. As they hear the relatable, typically melancholy lyrics based on personal disconnect, the flowing music complements the vocals and words in such a way that blends quietly from track to track.
“The Ladder” is contemporary easy listening but with enough depth for the audience to be challenged thoughtfully and emotionally. Check out Andrew Belle in Kennewick this Independence Day or find out more about him at http://www.andrewbelle.com
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