TUNED UP Special: Belle Histoire exclusive interview

By Ryan G

Belle Histoire in a Columbus performance at Rumba Cafe

I AM TUNED UP has been proud to develop a relationship with Cincinnati’s own Belle Histoire, a top-notch indie pop/rock group with both the pipes and the substance to go far in the long run. Vocalist Jane Smith graciously participated in the following interview. We hope you’ll gain some insight on what makes this quartet tick.

For the uninformed, what’s the story behind the name Belle Histoire?
I personally wanted us to be called The History. When we recorded our first EP, we were toying around with all different kinds of names and Brandon Weaver, who recorded our EP, started looking up phrases pertaining to history in french. We found Belle Histoire, and loved the sound as well as the message the name spoke to us! Belle Histoire means Beautiful History.

Compare and contrast the recording process, and overall how you feel about the LP and EPs you’ve released thus far.
We have had a bit of a different sound for each release, which to me isn’t necessarily a bad thing. I think we have grown into our music and releases definitely. I am definitely most proud of the I Can Tell EP, I think those songs are our best music to be released since becoming a band. I love every release though, I don’t think we tried to change, we just did, and that’s okay too.

Who is the brains behind the band (aka the primary lyricist)? Same question applies to the melody originator.
That would be me (Jane) haha. I write pretty much all the lyrics for our music, besides a couple lines here and there that Mitch (the bass player) has helped me out on. I also write the melodies for all our songs. The best part is that melodies and lyrics are where my musical work stops. I leave putting everything together up to the boys, which is okay because they are really good at it.

What’s the vision of Belle Histoire for 2013?
You never know, I think we will have a few big surprises coming up, that hopefully everyone will like.

The holiday season is nearly upon us. What are some wacky traditions that any of you have this time of year? Will there ever be a Christmas project from Belle Histoire?
Oh gosh, I’m not sure about everyone else, but I always go to DC to visit my family, and they are a crazy bunch, for sure. I know most everyone just drinks eggnog and watches nonstop Lifetime Christmas movies…or that’s what I do at least and don’t wanna feel like I’m the only one. I could see us eventually doing a Christmas release, but not this year, maybe next!

What’s it like being an indie pop/rock group on a label surrounded by groups of a much heavier nature? For example, was there any tension on your tour with Before Their Eyes due to genre differences?
It’s different, but definitely one of the biggest blessings for us. It’s nice to be on a label where no band sounds even remotely like you. I think we get good attention in the “scene” of music because we are on that label, but then we go to a show and everyone’s like “Wait she doesn’t scream?” and most of the time they end up bobbing there heads a little, and maybe even buying a CD. Tension is the farthest thing away from that BTE tour. We all fit in perfectly with all those guys. We truly became a huge group of friends. We did everything together. I met my best friend  Kirby on that tour, and that was a huge huge huge blessing. Even though we were a different kind of band for that kind of tour, we still sold shirts and CDs every night, and made a lot of new fans.

What artists and/or songs are reigning at the top of your playlists right now
Oh gosh, I’ve been listening to a lot of techno-y stuff. But I’ve also been listening to a lot of Bombay Bicycle Club, Transit, Into It, Over It, and NGHBRS.

If you could change one thing about the music industry, what would it be?
Honestly, touring. I wish touring was easier, and that bands didn’t have to live out of early 1990’s vans that don’t lock. It’s sad, because touring is harder work than most jobs you would get at home.

What’s one good thing about being in an underground touring band today?
I would say i’m most thankful for the friendships I’ve made. It’s amazing sharing a love for the same thing with a tight knit group of people in music.

What would be your dream show to play? Attend? This could be an artist lineup, venue, or whatever.
I would kill to play with a lot of smaller bands. Like, a lot of bands that are half across the world that don’t tour a lot. That would be awesome to meet and play with them.

Any final thoughts for I AM TUNED UP followers?
YAY! WOOOOO THANKS FOR READING Y’ALL ROCK!

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