Belle Hendrik

Belle Hendrik

“First and foremost there is the voice: a soulful sound, channelled through the heart of New Zealand born girl, who has been performing since she was 15. Meet Belle Hendrik, an artist whose career spans international tours and a burgeoning catalogue of songs. Her music career has taken her to Europe, the Middle East, Asia, New Zealand and most recently the southern oceans of Antarctica. Belle makes it all work on her own terms, as an independent artist with an undeniable connection to her music.”

“With accomplished musicianship and lots of soul, Belle Hendrik evokes words and music that are both generous and genuine, stories she reveals in a voice of striking purity and power.” London (The Times 2007)

The debut album, the Ballad of Sojourner Truth, presented a calling card to audiences in Australia and the UK, and now, the mix of songs that compromises the new album, once again collaborating with Hugh Milan, extends Belle’s appeal as it speaks of her connection to blues and roots music that was first heard as a teenager disillusioned by the disco era of the time, resulting in an education in old blues and soul artists. She explains, ‘With the first record, a studio album, we where both influenced by the electronic sounds of Massive Attack and Porteshead, and we wanted an album that was creative and moody using electronic loops and heavy guitars”. With this new album I have rediscovered my roots in blues and soul music. This time we wanted a live album with a great feel, raw and alive. I wanted to evoke that feeling of excitement like the first time I heard blues music, real blues, like Blind lemon Jefferson, Memphis Minnie or Willie Dixon I had an unexplainable connection to this music that has influenced everything else I do.

This album has taken some time to produce largely due to the fact that Belle has taken up the role of bass player as well as singer. She explains, “I really started taking the bass role seriously when we returned to Australia after three years in the UK and Europe. Our bass player in London, Dave Gibbons and I would sometimes swap guitar and bass for a couple of songs and it was fun, different. It’s taken some patience and a lot of sweat and some tears but I am so thankful I persevered as it is so much fun and rewarding to be part of the band at the core of the rhythm as well as the singer.”

Belle now fronts her new band Belle Hendrik and the Rogue Gene, which consists of Belle Hendrik on Bass and vocals, Hugh Milan on guitars, vocals and harmonica, Len Reilly on drums and regular guest John Hill on keys.

“I love the space and the sound of the three piece band. It is very real… and there is a lot of room for improvisation. Sometimes we sound like an early 60’s rock band like Cream and it allows Hugh to really let go on the guitar. He creates these amazing landscapes of sound and I just sit nice and solid on the bass – it is funky!” - Belle Hendrik