No strangers to local radio airwaves, Hello Bella is back with what could be their biggest radio release yet!
Considering, they’ve been chart toppers at Wallaceburg’s 99.1 CKXS, with “Paradise”, “That Girl”, “Stand” and “Indigo” – and one single inparticular (“Stand”) that went all the way to number one on their Top 25 Countdown for countless weeks and ended up #16 on the Top 100 of 2011 – the prior statement is a pretty large one to say the least.
Southwestern Ontario’s Hello Bella consists of Stephanie Poort (lead vocals, keys), Nic Malara (keys, guitar, etc.), Matt Naylor (lead guitar), Mitch Fiddick (bass guitar) and Rob Pearse (drums).
Each member of this dynamic group have been blessed with not just a musical talent, but have been touched by the story of a young, selfless Canadian girl who had been struggling with a terminal illness. This is where the new HB fundraiser single, “Kaitlin’s Song” comes into play.
Released officially across the country last week and premiered on 99.1 CKXS, “Kaitlin’s Song” has already climbed to #1 on the iTunes Inspirational Charts, and for every good, wholesome reason.
For more information on Compassion Canada, CLICK HERE.
Kaitlin Boyda, a 16-year-old Canadian, battled terminal cancer and was given one last wish. Instead of taking a trip, or doing something for herself or her family, she used her opportunity through the Children’s Wish Foundation of Canada to build wells in Uganda for underprivileged children on the other side of the world. Kaitlin was able to accomplish this courtesy of Compassion Canada and the Children’s Wish Foundation.
Although Kaitlin is no longer with us, her legacy lives on as her first well has led to more and more throughout Uganda, changing the lives of thousands, all because of one little girl.
Early critiques of this song and it’s mission include:
“This is a special song from a special group of people. Not only wholesomely talented, Hello Bella has a firm grasp on reality and the world we live in. This is a story we are all better off for having heard it. To hear it through the vocals of Stephanie Poort make it even more special. It’s individuals like Kaitlin Boyda who are our true heroes and role models.” — Jay Smith, Program & Music Director at 99.1 CKXS
“So inspiring! This is a beautiful song that not only tells a story of a passionate girl, but just by purchasing the song, you’re contributing too. I know the artists and writers of this song had a special connection with Kaitlin and her wish, and it definitely shows in the emotion of the song.”
“Amazing song that reflects the incredible legacy Katilin left with those close to her and those who never even had the chance to meet her. The mission to build wells in Uganda will help countless lives for years to come….thanks for sharing =)”
“The songwriting is catchy, accompanied by radio ready production values”
Much like the amazing young woman who has touched their lives, and now, all of their listeners, the story of Hello Bella is one of adversity and triumph. Officially formed in 2007, the band released their first EP, That Girl in the summer of 2008. Following the release, they launched their “Small Town Tour,” focusing on playing small Ontario towns in the dead of winter.
If you look past the big-city flair of major metropolitan areas you’ll find small towns that possess amongst other things, a lot of heart. Hello Bella, a dynamic five-piece can attest to this. They’ve already made a name for themselves by taking their catchy, earnestly crafted pop tunes throughout their hometowns in Southwestern Ontario. And now, with the release of Echoes of the Atmosphere on January 25th, the band is poised to take big cities everywhere by the horns the only way they know how, with an ear for great song-writing and of course, heart.
Between garnering airplay on local radio stations and landing a chance to perform in front of a celebrity panel of MuchMusic’s “Disband,” Hello Bella moved in together to begin writing their debut full-length. They were soon granted their big break: a chance to open for international pop icons Black Eyed Peas at Sarnia Bayfest. The day after receiving the news, a house fire broke out and quickly spread to their jam space. The gig now in jeopardy, their local communities rallied around them and raised enough money to replace damaged equipment. This kind of rousing sentiment doesn’t show itself everyday, but it can be heard in spades on Echoes of the Atmosphere.
From the epic build of ‘Stand,’ the album’s stirring opener and first single to the catchy stomp of ‘Cosmo,’ Echoes of the Atmosphere is full of polished, radio-ready pop-rock that leans on uplifting synth and keys, diverse hooks and the palpable emotion heard within lead singer Stephanie Poort’s vocals.
There is no shortage of grand aspirations on Echoes. Hello Bella balance playful hooks with a stretching sonic landscape on ‘Argentina,’ give weight to the soaring romantic swoon of ‘Earthquake’ and let their true rock and roll aspirations shine through on the crunchy groove within ‘Any Road But Here.’
In short, Echoes is poised to set dance halls and speakers on fire very, very soon. The album is full of spur of the moment production including recording a marching band walking by the studio’s open window during an art festival and an opening synth line on one track realized by bumping a member’s love handles against the keyboard. Yet there are no processed pop songs here; these are five musicians who are aware of their upbringing and are ready for listeners far and wide to hear both their story and their unmitigated groove.
Some info taken from hellobella.net
