News

May 21, 2013

(Montreal, Quebec, May 21, 2013) – Since her very first intimate concert in Montreal a year ago, Montreal concert goers have shown tremendous support for Melissa Bel.  So much that the Ontario-based singer-songwriter returned only three weeks later with a full band and has been playing there on a regular basis.  It came naturally then for Bel to choose Montreal for the official launch of her new album, Don’t Forget To Breathe.    

Our dear city, along with new hectic schedules that came with her growing popularity, have inspired Melissa when writing this new album:  "I don't think I've written a truer song than Don’t Forget To Breathe, and I don't think I could've picked a better title to represent the album.  It's so easy to lose yourself in the chaos of life and the crazy speed that we seem to function at, so this song is mostly a reminder to myself to be in the moment, and to just take a second to breathe."  For the first single, “C’est la Vie,” Melissa shares that ‘’It's basically about how life is too short to not go after what you want.  The story, that takes place on rue St-Denis, is about two people who decide it's time to disregard whatever it is that's been keeping them apart, and take a chance!  I have a particular liking for rue St-Denis because it was the street where I had my first gig in Quebec, and the street I continue to stay on most times I play in Quebec, so it's starting to feel like my home away from home. “

Tuesday June 4, Melissa Bel will be at Le Cheval Blanc to meet her new Montreal family and perform her new songs alongside fan-favourite guitarist Mike Todd.  Melissa will also take the opportunity to announce a series of summer concerts in Quebec.

Melissa Bel, Don’t Forget To Breathe album
Available on FrostByte Media June 4 in digital and physical formats

Preorder on iTunes starting May 21 and get the title track right away.

Blog

May 30, 2013

Did a little interview with Pledge to talk about my upcoming albums

Melissa Bel Embarks on New Full-Length with Help from Pledgers

Bleusy soulstress Melissa Bel has been keeping herself busy, and that’s great news for her fans. In addition to releasing her “Don’t Forget to Breathe” EP June 4, Bel is turning to her fans through PledgeMusic to dive into a full-length project.

Letting fans join her in the process as it begins, Bel hasn’t yet landed on a title or a full track list, so it’s a great time to get involved in this one and see a beautiful new project evolve. We enjoyed a nice talk with Bel, which you can read below. In the above video, you’ll also get a taste of Bel’s sound with this exclusive acoustic cover of “Blackbird” from her time in London.

You mentioned in your campaign video that you’ve figured out more about who you want to be as an artist. Can you tell us more about what you’ve learned in the past year or so as far as your artistic voice?

I’ve learned that I don’t want to just write songs to represent myself, but songs that people of my generation – and hopefully beyond! – will relate to and connect with. As a songwriter I feel that it’s my job to be a voice for others as well as myself.

What about the new songs? Are they different as you learn that voice and then look back at previous releases?

When I wrote many of the songs on my first two releases, “Brave” and “Distance,” I was mostly inspired by romance, or lack thereof, and for a while I had a hard time writing a “non-love song." These days, as I get to know myself better as a person and an artist I find myself writing about other experiences and feelings, such as getting older and the stresses and joys that come with it. I’ve also learned to find inspiration in other people’s lives, which is very useful when I have trouble finding something in my own life to write about!

We’d love to hear the specific plan for the album. Do you have a timeline or title in mind yet?

No title in mind quite yet, but there are already about five songs either finished or in the making that will most likely be on the album. Right now, I’m in the writing and demoing phase of the process, and I want to write as many songs as possible so that I can pick and choose to make the album the best it can be. The release date is set for January 2014, which seems really far away, but I’m sure it will come rushing up at me!

You’ve played for Matthew Good a few times lately. How did those sessions go? Did you learn anything from a moment like that?

The shows with Matthew Good have probably been my most exciting performances to date, made extra exciting because the shows were in two cities I’d never played in before – London and New York City. Not to mention nerve-wracking! I feel so lucky to have been able to open for such an established and talented artist.

Watching Matt perform and chatting with him has really solidified for me that you always need to stay true to yourself as an artist. Lots of people will have their opinions of who or what you should be, but you need to trust your gut and be authentic because that’s what will resonate with people.

You partnered with the World Wildlife Fund. Is there a personal connection for you there?

I have a strong passion for animals and the environment, so being a vegetarian has been my personal way of trying to make a difference. I’m very excited to be able to make a bigger contribution to the cause by teaming up with the World Wildlife Fund.

Anything else you’d like to add?

A huge thank you to my fans for their incredible support so far and for joining me in making this new album! Couldn’t do it without you!

CLICK HERE TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE MAKING OF MELISSA'S NEW FULL-LENGTH ALBUM