One of Wellington’s best kept secrets, super soul vocalist Bella Kalolo will be performing at the Orca, Raglan on 1st October. The gig will come hard on the heals of the release of her debut solo album ‘Without The Paper’.
Samoan, Tongan and Maori (Ngati Porou) origins, but Christchurch born & bred, Bella Kalolo stole the limelight in 2009 when she released her solo EP ‘The Road Ahead’ and has since been twice nominated as Best Female Vocalist at the Pacific Music Awards in 2010 & 2011. “The skills that come with theatre and drama have been a big part of who I am as an artist. It definitely comes through in my live performances. Whilst I love working with other creatives in all of these different formats, it has been really exciting to concentrate on my own creative project.” says Bella.
Most recently Bella returns from her first international tour where she lit up stages with her unique voice and stage presence at the UK’s world famous Glastonbury festival, London’s ‘Origins’ and ‘City of London’ festivals and her first shows in New York City and Boston MA.
“We had an amazing time overseas – travelling, performing and getting amongst the scene wherever we were but I’m really excited to get home and finally release this album and perform it live. The Soul Symphony are an awesome band who I love sharing the stage with. They are truly lifting the bar on New Zealand music.” says Bella
The album Bella is referring to of course is her debut LP ‘Without The Paper’, which she releases next month. “Since the EP, my style has developed and this album is a good snapshot of how I was feeling when I wrote it. I was very concerned with writing what was true to me, so a lot of this album is about daily living and was also inspired by my life with Ali (Bella’s husband) and the ups and downs of love, life and death.” says Bella .“Obviously living, working and creating together has it’s challenges” says Bella “but I wouldn’t want to work with anyone else!”
Bella will perform her first album release show at Downstage Theatre in Wellington, where she first met Ali, along with their band The Soul Symphony, which features Stephanie Paris and Wini Baxter on backing vocals, Andre Paris on Saxophone, Barrett Hocking on Trumpet, Andy Mauafua on Guitar, Benjamin Wilcock on Keys, Alistair Isdale on Bass and Darren Mathiassen on Drums.
Bella Kalolo’s ‘Without The Paper’ will be released in NZ on the 19th of September.
Raglan Gig
Bella Kalolo and The Soul Symphony
Sat 1 Oct, 8:30pm–12:00am
Orca Restaurant and Bar, 2 Wallis Street, Raglan
Restrictions: R18
$15.00 Door Sales Only
Website: www.bellakalolo.com