Elle Belle
Los Angeles, California, United States | Established. Jan 01, 2014 | SELF
Music
Press
4. Elle Belle
Hometown: Auburn
Members: Christopher Pappas
Current Album: “You Better Mean It” (single)
Elle Belle, the moniker of Pappas, currently resides in Los Angeles, but there’s no doubt where his roots lie (just ask him to show you the tattoo of the outline of the Granite State that runs along his left forearm and he’ll gladly oblige). The psych-rocker was raised in New Hampshire, attended college in Connecticut and returned to his home state to write and record. He then met Fredrickson, another New Hampshire native, and the two wound up in Boston before moving to the West coast after being signed to Little Records (Rilo Kiley). Fans of Temples, Allah Las and King Tuff will appreciate Elle Belle’s blend of psych and garage rock. - Paste Magazine
Last week, I had the absolute pleasure of premiering a fantastic 80′s evoking synthpop and psychedelic imbued treat named Failed Dreamz from a Los Angeles based solo act named Elle Belle. In fact, I teamed up with my buddy at Neon Daydreaming - KUCI 88.9 FM for a tandem blog and radio premiere! Elle Belle’s other single, a lusciously rocking tune named Knock On The Light, had its premiere today via another music buddy, We Found New Music with Grant Owens. Apparently, we’re all really digging on Elle Belle’s deliciously muggy and synthy alt music, and I must agree that Knock On The Light is quite the jam, too. This one is still an animated, dance ready number, but in a more twirling, dreamy way, unlike Failed Dreamz’s more buoyant tendencies. Knock On The Light is a glistening, kaleidoscopic burst of lush and flushed sound, with an incredibly hooking bass line. The song is yet another taste off Elle Belle’s forthcoming double album debut. - Iheartmoosiq.com
Elle Belle is the solo project from Los Angeles based multi-instrumentalist Christopher Pappas (aka Elle), and we’re excited to premiere his song “Knock on the Light”. Staying true to the project’s knack for defying genres, Knock on the Light manages to weave familiar dance elements like wobbly synths and saturated guitars into something exciting and memorable. The beat is infectious, the chorus explosive, and with an amazing cameo by vocalist Misty Boyce, this song is sure to grab your attention until the last note. Elle Belle is set to release a debut double album this year and if what we’ve heard so far is any indication, it’s poised to be a must listen. - We Found New Music
On his second offering, “Knock On The Light,” the Los Angeles based artist Elle Belle delivers a jaunty, sun-stroked guitar jam that calls to mind the shimmering psych-pop of Tame Impala and Unknown Mortal Orchestra. Supported by guest vocals from fellow L.A. resident singer-songwriter Misty Boyce (who got her start in music playing keyboard for The Naked Brothers Band), this summery track packs a serious punch, positioning zany synthesizer lines and abrasive drum hits to the fore of the mix. Together, Elle and Misty’s vocals infuse as brilliant harmonies, eccentric and strange but catchy as hell. “Knock On The Light” will be featured on Elle Belle’s forthcoming double album Baptistina I & II. Stream it below. - Indie Current
“Knock On The Light” is a good song for getting your hands dirty to. Dive into some dishes or sweep out the garage and before you know it you are air-guitaring and singing along to the big parts. There are more than enough grooves going on here to distract you from the chores at hand. Just keep it on repeat and don’t lose the beat.
“Knock On The Light” is the latest song from eLLe beLLe’s upcoming debut double record Baptistina I&II - The Burning Ear
Discography
Still working on that hot first release.
Photos
Bio
Elle Belle is a psych-pop band from Los Angeles. The solo project of Christopher Pappas (aka “Elle”); a multi-Instrumentalist who wrote and recorded the near entirety of his sprawling 23 song debut by himself in his apartment. The project was born in the spring of 2014 when Christopher suffered a nervous breakdown and found relief in creating a new musical identity, an alter-ego of sorts. The end result is Baptistina I & II (release: TBD); an ambitious debut double record that spans numerous genres: hints of 60’s infused psychedelia are mixed with garage rock, pop, and even prog to create a dense and intricate sound.
The story starts with Elle Belle’s early unreleased demos being enthusiastically passed among fellow musicians, which in turn gave the project a loyal following. Among those who loved these early songs was LA guitarist Mike Bloom (Jenny Lewis, The Elected, Juliana Casablancas) who took on guitar duties in the live show. Elle Belle released a debut single late that summer (“You Better Mean It”) which charted on a number of radio stations and spun by the legendary Nic Harcourt.
After the single, Elle and Bloom put the final touches on the enormous batch of songs that would ultimately be the official debut. The core of the sound relies on the lo-fi 60’s esthetic but never succumbs to pure musical nostalgia. Through experimentation the album effortlessly circles around numerous styles: take “Stranger of the Times”, reminiscent of early Bowie, or the trance-like bass n drum groove of “Rain in London” (with spectacular guest vocals from Holly and Jess of Lucius), these songs are able to ride the line between modern and retro, fresh and familiar. Others, including “San Francisco’s (Gonna take my Girl)” with its explosive chorus and crooning vocals to “Failed Dreamz” an up-tempo synth rock track with driving rhythms and layered guitars, only further cement the album’s ability to produce lasting melodies that stay with you well after the record has ended.
Band Members
Links
