Project Description
Interview with
BELLA FERRARO
Interviewer – Vicky Hebbs
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It has been a little while since we have heard from you! What have you been up to since you last released music, and what made you decide to come back now?
I’ve been up to a lot! I’ve learned how to produce music, I’ve played in a band, I’ve performed some really interesting gigs under a different name … Earlier this year, I was invited to play at Low 302 and performed a collection of tracks I’d been working on with my friend/producer Zepha. I had so much fun that night and realised then that I was ready to release my art into the public sphere. Those four tracks are now my debut EP.
How would you describe your whole “X-Factor” experience?
My feelings about X-Factor have always been complicated. Nothing could have prepared me for the instant recognition I experienced after appearing on the program and I didn’t really know how to handle it, nor had I truly sought it. Overall, it was an incredible opportunity that I feel privileged to have been part of and I consider myself pretty ballsy to have auditioned for it at all.
For anyone yet to hear your music, how would you describe your sound?
Ethereal vocal harmonies meet catchy bass hooks to create groovy alternative/electronic pop. Put simply, my sound is sad, but sexy.
Your new single “Her” is a song about intimacy and the uncertain start of relationship. What does “Her” mean to you?
Her has a very personal meaning for me as I wrote it at the time I was last forming an intimate relationship with someone. It was how I made sense of my emotions. To me, it’s about remembering that relationships and intimacy are extremely complex and that there’s no right way to experience any of it.
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Can you share the origins of the song and what inspired you to put pen to paper?
The melody came to me while I was at work. I was house sitting at the time and I remember not being able to finish work fast enough – I just couldn’t stop thinking about this melody and I had to produce it. I raced back to my friend’s house to feed her dogs and then I spent hours at my laptop on Ableton. The melody came first and then the beat followed. I even knew where my vocal harmonies would be before I knew what I was writing about. I work on lyrics last – always – and can deliberate for a long time about what I’d like to sing about. Once I’d settled on the lyrical concept for ‘Her’, the song was written quite quickly. I remember feeling elated about how much my production had improved while working on this track.
What do you hope listeners will take away from hearing “Her”?
Above all else, I just hope they enjoy listening to it as much as I enjoyed writing it. All art is subjective and mine is no different. It could appear to be a sad song to others but for me it isn’t sad at all – in fact, it’s more about self-reflection/actualisation than anything.
What is next for you in 2020? Will you continue writing music?
I’ve written so much music that I’m probably set for the next five years! Writing for me is self-expression, creativity, problem-solving … I get such a kick out of it, I don’t think I could ever stop.
How have you been dealing with Covid the last 6 months?
Washing my hands, wearing a mask, and social distancing where possible. My day-to-day hasn’t changed all that much and I’ve been using the time in which I’d previously be out to write music.
If COVID wasn’t a thing and you could perform anywhere in the world right now, where would it be? And why?
I’d perform in Berlin. I spent three weeks there in February and music is such an inherent part of that city. Also, I want to try and get into Berghain (lol).
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Which artist’s music and/or performance, past or present, inspires you today?
I’m a huge fan of Grimes. I listened to her song ‘Violence’ all summer.
Do you have any longer-term aspirations or goals as a musician?
I’d love to tour across all of Australia and New Zealand. I’ll probably make that my goal for 2021.
What is the best thing about performing to a live audience?
The best thing about performing to a live audience is the transfer of energy. Seeing people hyped up for music hypes me up even more. There’s also a lot to be learned from how your audience engages with your art and it’s a great place to experiment new ideas.
Finally, a few questions for some quick answers –
FAVOURITE:
Album – Rumours (Fleetwood Mac).
Artist – Lykke Li.
Movie – Star Wars (the original trilogy only).
Place to visit – Shelly Beach.
Venue to play – Low 302 <3
Food – Sushi.
Drink – Gin & Tonic.
Person in History – Frida Kahlo.
Tattoo – (If you don’t have one, what would you get?) I don’t have any tattoos but I almost got the word ‘cake’ on my pelvis … lol.
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Check out BELLA FERRARO below
Website – Facebook – Instagram – Twitter
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BELLA FERRARO
returns with hypnotising first single
in seven years
‘HER’
Eight years ago, Bella Ferraro introduced herself to the world through her worldwide viral audition of Bon Iver’s ‘Skinny Love’ on The X Factor Australia. After placing fourth and signing to Sony Music Australia, she released her singles ‘Set Me On Fire’ and ‘Forgot You’ which have collectively surpassed 4.3 million streams on Spotify. But after feeling lost in the world that she found herself in, she walked away feeling a mix of deflated and uninspired.
“Who is Bella Ferraro”, she found herself deeply questioning. But, from embracing the rollercoaster of emotions of early adulthood, falling in love, heartbreak and experimenting with different sounds and musical projects, she eventually discovered who that person was.
Confidently returning to her artist name, and completely independent from any record labels, the Sydney born and now UK based singer-songwriter is ready to unveil this new chapter in her story.
’Her’ is a bold and daring return that hears her channeling a sonic inspired by the likes of Tove Lo, Banks, Grimes, Lykke Li and Vera Blue. With pulsating synths, echoing vocals and trap inspired beats bringing you into this new sonical world she’s built within her artistry, she immediately captivates the listener with her recognisable tone.
Reflecting on the uncertainty of a burgeoning relationship, this is the first time that Ferraro has publicly revealed that she proudly identifies as queer, as well as intimately details a relationship so candidly.
“Lyrically ‘Her’ explores the stark differences in how this relationship was approached. I was dreamy and imaginative, convinced that everything would be fine; and she was cautious and cynical, sure that everything would go wrong. Ultimately, while our perspectives were opposed, they were similarly unrealistic” she explains.
With a strong creative direction driving this new chapter, the accompanying single artwork, painted by Brisbane based artist Nat Popovski, represents who the ex-girlfriend was, as she would always wear that hat. Everything about these forthcoming releases is deliberate in allowing people to get to know her the way that she’s gotten to know herself, but it also came together quite organically.
“The song itself came together very quickly. The melody came first, then the beat, and then once the music was finished I wrote the lyrics. I wrote the entire song by myself using Ableton, and then when I was happy with the production structure, I gave the Ableton project to Zepha to polish up”.
She wants people to really get to know the self discovery journey she has been on over the past eight years, and wants to drive that vision with intent. ‘Her’ is only the beginning of the new music that Bella Ferraro will be releasing this year, and briefly touches on the cusp of the self revelations that she’s had.
Prepare to travel high above the clouds from the moment you press play on ‘Her’!
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