In conversation with Bella Wright

We caught up with Bella Wright last week to find out a bit more about herself, her music, and her experiences relocating to Liverpool from Montana, USA.

Do you have any Liverpool-local, musical influences?

- I don’t know if I draw too much influence from Liverpool artists, I've been racking my brain all day to think of any... My main influences include Alanis Morisette, No Doubt, Sara Bareilles and Liz Phair.

Your brand new single “Ashtray” has been released, talk us through the recording process.

- Oh my god, the recording process was chaotic, delirious and speedy. "Ashtray" was written less than a month ago, so when it blew up on TikTok, I was grateful to have a team that was eager to tackle it with me. My recording engineer, Amit Solanki (bless his heart), got in the studio for 21 hours with me over the span of two days, with my band (Jamie Munns, Haiven Sellers, Max Holden and Jerry Buxade), only having a day or so to learn their parts off the bedroom demo. A couple of Red Bulls and janky sleep schedules later, "Ashtray" was recorded in the studios at LIPA and mixed/mastered by the talented Jake Gore within the weekend.

What is the songwriting process? Do members of your band have roles in the process or is it all solo?

- My music is the dramatised storytelling of hypothetical scenarios or my reality or directly torn out of my journal. I'll write the songs solo on my bed with my acoustic, then produce it into a demo I bring to the band. They're extremely skilled at bringing my ideas to fruition.

How did you feel when moving to the UK, and what is your favourite thing about Liverpool?

- Beyond excited, and nervous! It was a long ways away from Montana, and I've never lived in a city before. I love Liverpool - my favourite thing being the artist community. Everyone I've met has some sort of connection to music or art, so I'm constantly inspired by the individuals around me!

You have been here such a short time but already played some iconic venues. What was your favorite gig and venue? Are there any venues you’ve not played but would like to?

- The gig that has the most special place in my heart was my very first gig, which was at Round the Corner. I was so nervous and halfway through the set, I realised I left my jack lead for my guitar in the green room. I had to run through the crowd mid-set to retrieve the lead, and meanwhile my band began to improvise the Mii theme song. The crowd began to cheer and sing this stupid lil game console theme song while I hustled back onstage, in the most asthmatic fashion. I was mortified, but now I can look back and see how far we've come since Round the Corner. Besides wanting to play the Kaz for awhile, it would be incredible to play The Cavern.

With your headline at the kaz coming soon, what else can we expect to see from Bella Wright?

The band and I were just featured in a local short film called "GUM" which premiers at Arts Bar this Wednesday, where we'll perform. ALSO, keep your eyes peeled for another autumn single you can hear LIVE at the Kaz headliner... But for now, keep streaming "Ashtray" on all platforms, and follow @bellawrightmusic to stay tuned.

Bella and the band play Kazimier Stockroom on the 8th November with support from Liverpool Local, Georgia Johnson and Student Spectacle, Midnight Curfew. Tickets are available through the Monké Lamp Skiddle page, DON'T MISS OUT!!!

Tickets are no longer available for this event