Introducing Interview: Melissa Bel

Having grown up in Canada, singer-songwriter Melissa Bel followed her heart and moved the UK with her new love. Influenced by the likes of the legendary Aretha Franklin and Stevie Wonder, Bel creates undeniably catchy, iridescent pop anthems filled with emotion.

Set to release her new album next week, we caught up with Melissa to find out more…

Hi Melissa, how’s it going?
Great thanks! Got back from a trip to Canada yesterday and sitting here drinking a coffee while I dive into these questions.

Your latest single is called ‘Big Boys Don’t Cry’ (but we know they do), can you tell us what the song’s about?
It’s about being fed up with a guy who has gotten way too many chances and finally kicking him to the curb. It’s not based on anyone specific really, but we’ve all been there so the song came together quickly!

You’ve been compared to Meghan Trainor and the single definitely has that ‘doo-wap’ vibe, was she an inspiration for the song?
She wasn’t a direct influence for the song, but I can definitely hear her in it. I loved ‘All About that Bass’ when it came out so maybe it was a subconscious thing? Consciously, we drew lyrical inspiration from ‘Big Girls Don’t Cry’ by Fergie, but we were definitely going for that old school doo-wap style.

What’s your album In The Light all about?
The album is basically a snapshot of my life in 2015. It’s about riding the emotional wave of a breakup (that was long overdue), to finding the most amazing love when I least expected it – and everything in between. I feel like it’s my first record where I haven’t held anything back in the songwriting and was brutally honest with the lyrics, which is why I thought In the Light would be a great title.

How are you finding living in the UK compared to Canada?
My Dad was born here and we used to come over a lot when I was a kid, so it’s always felt like a second home to me. I don’t find it overly different, except that there’s no Tim Horton’s, moose or bears… And it seems like you can drink on the beach here, right? We can’t do that in Canada. I brought back a litre of maple syrup from this latest trip so I pretty much feel like I’m at home.

What do you miss most about Canada?
Family, friends and my pets. And the hot yoga studio I went to.

What can we expect from you in the rest of 2016?
The new, full album will be released 4th November, accompanied by a launch party in Exeter!

Any gigs coming up?
Yup!

2 November – Album Launch Party, Exeter Castle, Exeter

Huge thanks to Melissa for answering our questions! 

In The Light, the upcoming album from Melissa Bel, is out 4 November via Belhop Records.

Mari Lane

Mari Lane

Editor, London. Likes: Kathleen Hanna, 6Music, live music in the sunshine. Dislikes: Sexism, pineapples, the misuse of apostrophes.