HILARY davis. violin, programming. + LAURA boland . vocals, stories. + MATTE franklin . drums, found objects. + MATT vannelli . guitars, programming. + TIM ritter. bass.
on the "Slow Dancing on the Ocean Floor" recordings:
Programming/samples by Nathan Tensen-Woolery and Brad Carmack.
Guitar, bass, keys, and mixes by Darren Jackson [Shortman Studio].
Drums by Ian Prince.
Mastering by Greg Reierson [Rare Form Mastering].
www.sonicbids.com/bellakoshka
Influences
danny elfman . bat for lashes. halou . sigur ros . andrew bird . patrick wolf . tori amos . kate bush. m83. noi. kid dakota. ghost in the water. revolver modele. a whisper in the noise. blonde redhead . lush . cocteau twins . mum . placebo . the cure . the arcade fire . curve . depeche mode . azure ray . hooverphonic . portishead . sneaker pimps . switchblade symphony . iamx . nin . bjork . goldfrapp . interpol .
Buy our Debut CD, "Slow Dancing on the Ocean Floor" here...
~ "Slow Dancing on the Ocean Floor" was recorded and mixed by Darren Jackson @ Shortman Studio 2007.~
A dusty violin and the diary of a girl. A tale of two dreamers and their stories lost in time. Bella Koshka formed in Minneapolis, MN in Autumn of 2006 when violinist Hilary Davis and vocalist Laura Boland began composing organic and electronic melodies. In winter of 2007, the pair collaborated with Minneapolis producer Darren Jackson [The Hopefuls and Kid Dakota] on their debut album, "Slow Dancing on the Ocean Floor." Scheduled to be released early 2008, the album is a unique collection of dreamy melancholic lullabies featuring emotionally rich vocals layered with haunting violin arrangements and electronic textures. The duo recruited musicians Matte Franklin [drums], Matt Vannelli [guitar] and Tim Ritter [bass] to join Bella Koshka and inflict a dynamic intensity to their symphonic-electronic fusion.
"A bewitchingly baroque musical experience...strikingly original" ~ Rob van Alstyne [Reveille Magazine]
"Quiet layers of sound building up on each other--a wash of electronic texture under a slow beat under an ethereal, sadly romantic vocal." ~ The Onion
"Laura Boland whispers, sighs and trills through her dark, grown-up poetry; Hilary Davis' violin adds lithesome textures, and the overall effect is something like a lost classic from the underground British dream-pop label 4AD" ~ Simon Peter Groebner [vita.mn]
"Highly atmospheric songs that suggest Kate Bush.." ~ Ross Raihala [Saint Paul Pioneer Press]
"The Minneapolis band Bella Koshka sounds like it’s from the future—some industrial, post-apocalyptic future. The musicians create a world that’s kinda eerie, and kinda bleak, but you also think David Bowie might be there, wearing a really cool outfit. The group’s moody debut features Hilary Davis’s keening violin and Laura Boland’s aching lyrics. Heavy bass lines and a procession of other electronica keeps you suspended in murky, lovely limbo land. “Echo” plays like a creepy, slow-moving carousel that’s about to break down, and “Stitches” conjures a lost kitten, yearning to be rescued."
—JESSICA CHAPMAN [Minnesota Monthly]
“Bella Koskha play a violin-laced dreamy music topped with Laura Boland’s
gorgeous vocals. Relic suggests the Decemberists making friends with Kate
Bush, all hissing vocals and expansive sound. Fiction sees a metaphor of
fiction imitating life or vice versa stretched to encompass the words. Coma
sees the band playing in a sumptuous style, Hilary Davis’ violin taking
charge. Boland’s dreamy meander is icing on the cake. Stitches is a sweet
piano ballad that has subtly poetic lyrics and Boland sounding lovely.
This is a wonderful record.”
~ Anna Maria Stjärnell [Collected Sounds Blog, SWEDEN]
"Bella Koshka’s beautifully stricken Coma's bitter cord-plucking sets the tone for the song, a plaintive and enamouring song, thriving off the inconsolable mewl of traditional Eastern European violins, and dramatized by the ominous boom of a bass drum, above which Laura Boland’s wistful, dreamy vocals yearn in perfect broken romanticism. But this airy, baroque vista has a story tell, one which pushes itself into becoming frustratingly desperate with the jangling echoes of guitars building up to a wrenching, broken flourish, dishearteningly striving for something unachievable, purposefully failing to break into a truly elevating escape."
~ A Limerick Ox [blog]
Just wanted to say thanks for being a friend! Have a great day! Come by and see us play at Eclipse Records Thursday July 16th at 7pm. Othr acts are Lollipop Factory, Company Inc. and Ribbons. Stop by our page for more info and a sample of some music!
My band The Peacocks recently posted a live music video on facebook. Its one of our more up tempo songs. I think you have to have a facebook account to see it. If you want to see it, please let me know and I'll hook you up with more info.
he110 Bella Koshka - just wanted to warn U about thee evil Dr. Night! ...all i remember is a blurry image of a man in a white lab coat.
Have you seen thee doctor lately?! [Intox031] Mach FoX - Dr. Night EP OUT NOW on Russian netlabel Intox Noize FREE download link- http://www.archive.org/details/intox031
more info/links on our page. better watch out! Lock your doors -he might be in your area!
naked j just won't quit. 19 songs in 19 weeks on his way to 52. thanks for being part of the acoustic journey. stop on by and listen if you'd like, june is sad song month.
I second that, Brota!! We cannot thank you enough for your brilliant performance at the very first edition of D'Artique- you made it a very special night!! It was an honor and pleasure to have met you and experience your astounding music live, and we certainly hope you visit us again!! All The Best, ~Samsarah
Blood Root Mother will be playing at Trocaderos in Minneapolis on Friday, June 26th. I cannot stress enough how awesome this show will be!! We're playing with three of the sweetest local rock bands: Claret, Niobium and Casanatra. If you haven't heard these guys, check them out immediately! Please come to this show!!
I recommend stopping by during happy hour for two for one drinks along with free buffet, which is delicious. We'll be hanging out at Trocs all night, so come by and chill/party with us :)
Again, here's the event info:
Friday, June 26th Trocaderos 107 3rd Ave N Minneapolis, MN 18+ // $6 // 8pm
Please come out and support some great local music!! Music starts at 9:30pm, we should go on around midnight. Invite your friends, pile into a car (or a party bus), and together we will make this one of the highlights of the summer :)
My pleasure- be sure to toss the great words onto the other band mates- Great time, Great show, And that OvationBass? ?! Wow havent seen one of those in YEARS! haha
To cap off their 10 minute play festival, the Bedlam Theatre will host a night of live music featuring The Bitter Roots playing in the Fireplace Room; Bad Accident to follow on the main stage; and UZZA to end the event. Come for the plays, and stay for the music.
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