Bella Rios – Calm Down

By starrymag | June 21, 2022

By: Alejandra Gil M.

 

 

Q) How would you describe your sound?

 

A) While I am definitely homing in on the type of music I like to write and sound the best on, I have landed in the alt rock/pop arena.

 

Q) Who are some of your musical influences?

 

A) There are too many to count, but some of the biggies are Queen, Fleetwood Mac, Jon Bellion, Maggie Rogers, Alessia Cara, Emlyn and K Flay.

 

Q) You have a musical past. After years of exclusively performing covers and spending your high school years releasing rock-leaning originals, inspired by the classic records you were raised on like Led Zeppelin, Heart and Fleetwood Mac. How did that shape you into becoming the artist that you are today?

 

A) It took a lot of time and experimentation. I essentially tried to incorporate elements of the variety of influences I had into the writing of a song I would want to listen to today. Eventually, I was able to identify which elements felt natural to me and used them as the starting point of my writing thereafter. Those are the hints of my past which have colored my musical identity.

 

Q) Your new single “Calm Down” is out now. What was your song writing process like? Do you need music before you can create lyrics?

 

A) The writing process for almost every song I have written has been fairly variable. Still, there is always one constant – I walk in with a feeling or story that I know I need to tell. Sometimes lyrics and melodies will come easily and naturally after hearing just a random starting chord and I’ll have to fit the music around it after. Other times, I’ll just sit and listen to the same four chords and work lyrics and melodies around that. For “Calm Down,” the process was more like the latter. I had a story. We picked some chords and wrote everything else over them.

 

Q) A music video was also released with the song. How involved were you in developing the concept art for it?

 

A) I helped pick the background imagery, outfit, etc. with the amazing guidance of the professionals around me. We spent the time before the shoot discussion vision boards and inspiration, so we all knew what we were going for.

 

Q) Have you received any specific feedback about “Calm Down” that has stayed with you?

 

A) Honestly, any positive feedback about the song has stuck with me. This release process has not been a breeze and hearing that a listener enjoys any aspect of the song makes my day and fuels me to continue working.

 

Q) The track embodies an empowering anthem about finding your worth when leaving an unhealthy relationship. What do you hope people take away from it?

 

A) I think every song is interpreted uniquely by every individual depending on whatever they might be experiencing or struggling with. So, while “Calm Down” for me was almost a celebration of finding the strength to leave certain relationships, I hope people take away whatever they need from it in the moment they hear it.

 

Q) Who would you most like to collaborate with on a song in the future?

 

A) This is difficult. There are so many artists that I emulate and dream of collaborating with. A few of my top picks would definitely be Jon Bellion, Zedd and Freddie Mercury (That last one would probably be the most difficult to coordinate. [smiles]).

 

Q) Will there be a full album or EP coming in the near future?

 

A) YES!!! Now that school is out, I am putting all my efforts into producing a cumulative project. Until then, there are a few more singles lined up.

 

Q) What album/band are you currently listening to and why do you dig them?

 

A) In addition to all my usual favs, I’ve been listening to COIN and emlyn. COIN just puts me in a good mood and emlyn is one of the artists who is currently where I want to be musically.

 

Q) Do you have any future plans of a tour or any upcoming concerts?

 

A) Hopefully, I’ll be able to have some live performances later this summer after releasing a few more tracks!

 

Q) You are a part of social media. Why is that such an important way for you to connect with your fans?

 

A) While social media is not always rosy, at least for me, it really is incredible the sheer number of people you can reach so easily and share your passions and experience with. I try to be as honest as possible in portraying myself on social media, as I think it’s one of the most accessibly ways for fans to know who I am apart from my musical persona.

 

Q) What would you like to say to fans and supporters of you and your music?

 

A) Thank you for every single stream, follow and interaction. Making music can be exhausting sometimes, but receiving positive feedback is really the most flattering, motivating and joyful thing. To keep up to date with me and my music, I’m @iambellarios on all social media platforms.