Bell Was Here - Interview
In the digital age, it is easier than ever to discover small ‘underground’ musicians of all types whether it be through Instagram, Tiktok, Reddit, Youtube, etc. There’s much debate around the role that these sites play in marketing and general business for independent artists not signed to a major label but one thing I am certain of is that I am so glad I stumbled upon Bell Was Here while doom scrolling one fateful January evening.
Bell Was Here is the moniker of 22 year old Bell, an indie folk singer/songwriter based in the New York area. We got the chance to chat about music, representation, and their debut single ‘i could i would’ that recently dropped.
You recently debuted on streaming platforms with your break-in single ‘i could i would’. Can you describe the process of making this song (the origin story, recording and production, etc.)?
Since ‘i could i would’ was my first single, I really tried to allow myself to wholeheartedly accept it without reworking it over and over and hounding myself about perfection. It’s hard not to be overly critical as a small artist, when you know you’re essentially introducing yourself as someone new to the people around you. This song came to me when I was thinking about someone who has seen the best and worst sides of me yet because of what we went through together we could never really just exist around each other. It was always some sort of up and down even when we didn’t want it to be. I just let the song be those thoughts and trusted that I could communicate that well enough. A lot of blind trust so I didn’t drive myself crazy haha. In terms of production, I want all my music to sound like warm ambient insanity inducing nostalgia. That’s always the best part for me, so I hope it delivers!!
Furthermore in regard to ‘i could i would’, the song touches on themes of situationships and going no contact – what’s your opinion on this generation’s approach with dating or even the mere concept of situationships?
Oh god, I feel like since my song was so connected to that concept I have no grounds to shit on situationships. However I do feel like so much of this generation's perception of romance is either something tortured or something so unrealistically entertaining and incredible if that makes sense. I think the internet among other things has never really portrayed calm as comfortable. I’m for sure victim because my best writing and inspiration comes from feeling intensely. It’s tempting to want to live in that even when it sucks.
Have you found that your music resonates differently with audiences due to your sexuality/gender identity? How so?
I definitely think that my queerness shows up within the themes of my music since I navigate the world with a queer lens. Even when my songs aren’t specifically gendered, I feel like other queer people still resonate with it more heavily just because there’s this innate understanding of certain emotions between the community. I adore when queer people relate to my music, it makes me feel so fuzzy to create something that they accept and see so clearly. Gay people are the coolest kinds of people in the world to me so it’s like hell yeah I did something right!
An online listener described your music as a clash between King Princess and Lizzie McAlpine. That being said, what are some of your inspirations whether they be albums, bands, or even writers?
This is basically my favorite question ever because there are so many musical geniuses around right now that I get to be in awe of. The most strong influences on my music are most definitely Alex G, Lomelda and Phoebe Bridgers. Everytime I listen to anything they create it sends me into a trance, the sounds within their music speak just as strongly as the lyrics. That concept sounds so simple but the way they execute it blows my mind. Like bro, how do you even think of that???
You’ve been quoted describing your music as “indie for gays who think too much”. With that in mind, how has anxiety/overthinking played a role in your life and indirectly, your work?
I am the most anxious bitch you will ever meet, truly. It’s absolutely terrible but I do owe it to a lot of my inspiration and insight. I feel like sometimes the only person I can understand are my thoughts and patterns even when they cause me to freak the fuck out for no reason, so I am constantly speaking internally to myself to feel understood. All of my songs come from conflicted emotions and discomfort, it serves as release for me. Without that internal narrative I don’t know if I would feel like writing would be as necessary as I know it to be right now. So all in all I’m trying to accept being utterly plagued by thought!!!!
It seems that Tiktok has helped you gain a good chunk of your audience as it has with many other independent artists – what is your opinion on the upcoming ban in the United States and how do you think it will impact marketing for artists such as yourself?
I’m definitely wildly terrified of having to relearn an entirely new platform when I’ve invested so heavily in Tiktok. I’m not the best content creator so having an app that can be so casual with good reach is important to me. I feel more authentic that way. I think most artists have also made Tiktok their main platform just because it’s so easy to direct certain content to audiences that will resonate the most with it. All I can do is hope that if it goes away my music will speak for itself (and hustle to get better at making different types of videos and shit)
Are there any hobbies outside of music that you partake in? Do you think any of them inspire the music itself?
Honestly music is my biggest hobby so it’s hard to keep away from it. However, I did want to do more drawing in 2025 (I’m not very good at it) to try and branch out within more art forms. I have been following through and can now draw one type of cartoon guy with a mullet over and over. Counting this as a win!!! Besides that, I’ve always written lots of poetry which definitely goes hand in hand with my music.
In what ways does your sexual and gender identity influence your music or the messages you want to convey in your work
My lesbianism is my pride (no pun intended) and joy so I hope it always shows itself in my music and I know it will. Since I just started releasing music, I’ve really tried to focus on the struggles I’ve faced regarding my identity in order to do my younger self justice and hopefully young queer people who stumble across it as well. Shameless plug I actually have a new song called ‘all talk’ coming out on February 14th about loving someone who has trouble accepting who they are. If you’ve been played by a straight girl or a girl with a boyfriend you better stream!!!!!
Where do you hope to see yourself and your work in the next decade?
This is the most fear inducing question but I’m gonna be brave and say hopefully playing shows! As long as I’m writing and one person is listening, that’s enough for me genuinely. To fill a room would be really awesome but anyone who cares at all boggles my mind and feels just as fulfilling.
@bellwashere on Instagram