Belmez
University Heights, Ohio, United States
Music
Press
Material: Belmez is a fascinating name that fits this act to a tee. It's a village in Spain known for strange, haunting phenomena. In fact, if Criss Angel, the magical mindfreak, had a band this would be it. With a sound that combines Live with the Cure, this group creates material that resists ordinary labels. It's definitely rock, but it also indulges almost every sub-genre within that category. Being so unusual can be a double-edged sword, but Belmez manages to make it compelling in a curious way. Although the shape-shifting songs may be difficult to classify, they form a gateway for the doors of perception and affect the way you think about genre classifications.
Musicianship: This is an excellent band with loads of power and finesse.The players are so locked into one another their movements are often identical, in a natural, un-choreographed way. Joe Abraham is an intense and expressive vocalist, not unlike the Cure's Robert Smith. His bandmates support him and the music so well, they truly become one. At times during the set, their sound is so big and so dense, you'd swear you were sitting in an outdoor arena enjoying Lollapalooza.
Performance: It's tough to look beyond Abraham when this group is performing. Charismatic and captivating, he was the ultimate frontman. With a strong image and eerie stage presence, he played the part to the hilt. But, his cohorts didn't seem to be on the same page. In fact, visually, they didn't seem to be in the same band. This image confusion detracted from the impact Belmez could have had.
Summary: Musically intriguing and visually perplexing, this act is hard to pin down. But, what isn't hard is recognizing a band that has something special. Though they confuse, they also enlighten. And, that peculiar aspect could bring Belmez the attention they deserve.
––Bernard Baur - Music Connection Magazine
16th Annual
HOT 100
Unsigned Artists
Compiled by Bernard Baur, Michael Mollura, Mark Nardone, and Paula Munoz
Artists looking to get discovered still consider Southern California to be the location of choice. That is because Los Angeles
continues to be the home of many top entertainment reps from not only record labels, but film and TV production com-
panies. For this reason, our list of unsigned artists is as competitive as ever this year. Please note that each of the musi-
cal style descriptions were submitted by the band or artist. Those involved with determining the results of this year’s poll
included Music Connectionstaff members, journalists, club bookers, publicists and other industry professionals.
Belmez MySpace.com/belmez 310-666-1315 Dark Alt. Rock
- Music Connection Magazine
Discography
Who are you, The Innocence, Someone Like You, Alone Tonight, Lorain, Make It Last, Come Along With Me, All Over Me, We know when to say goodbye.
Photos
Bio
Originally from Cleveland, OH, singer/songwriter, Joe Abraham (a.k.a belmez), spent a good part of his 20's at sea, working on cruise ships as an Assistant Cruise Director, writing music in his off time. For years, in between contracts, he would write and perform with various musicians on land. Belmez has since left the ships and spent a couple years in LA. After being in LA only 1 year, Belmez was named 1 of the top 100 unsigned artist of 2007 by Music Connection Magazine. The act was also featured in an earlier issue described as "rock, but indulges almost every sub-genre within that category." Belmez then went on to spend a little over a year down in Austin, Texas where he not only performed but also hosted a 4 day music fest including 56 bands which was held during SXSW of 2009. Belmez is currently at Ante Up studios located in Cleveland, Oh recording his first full length cd which is set to be released sometime before August.
The idea of belmez is self defined as "Street Rock" : where you've been, where you are, and where you're goin.....
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