Katie Belle Has Nothing Left to Prove

Katie Belle doesn’t market herself quickly; she allows for an organic progression of growth. Her music is infused with a subdued level of energy, a latent feeling of familiarity (late night walks with the ground cold beneath your feet). The release of tension in People Pleaser represents a culmination of years of development.

Having been born and raised in Atlanta, the artist (songwriter, performer, and Recording Academy member) is ready to tell her own story with a finely honed sense of direction. Four weeks spent in Los Angeles have sharpened her saw, thanks to the many hours spent in various studios, performing at dimly lit venues, and layering vocal tracks over dust (and smoke filled) air. As evidenced by the songs they will all experience in this project together, the EP moves like a confession that has been wrapped in a dance beat.

The “Cigarette” part is over—the burn, inhale, and regret. The weighty drift and position of the “Bad Dreams” are a major contrast to what you expect. However, the title track is finally where you feel the transition. A chorus completely changes the weighty verses with bright, defiant sound cutting through blackness. You're feeling the release before you make sense of it all.

This is the turning point in her life. The turning point for Belle is the moment she stops negotiating with what someone expects of her to what she feels. The breathy/soprano of Belle's voice no longer seeks approval but now changes how we see it. Her polished yet frantic production reflects the same type of growth.

Even though she is still in transition, i.e. Atlanta to LA, stage to studio, the transition has a much clearer direction; i.e. less compromising, more voice, and just enough friction to be real.