The Beatles, John Mayer, Alannis Morisette, Stevie Wonder, Bob Marley, Aretha Franklin, The Eurythmics, Etta James, The Temptations, Michael Jackson, Ray Lyell, Kelly Clarkson, Colin James, Mariah Carey, Christina Aguilera, Nsync and the Spice Girls (my guilty pleasures)
One of my most distinctive memories of my childhood comes from when I was 6 years old, looking at myself in the bathroom mirror. It was at that moment, with a sense of decisiveness not common to the average child that I declared I was made for the music business and none other. Not in those exact words of course…Now, thirteen years later, having signed an international distribution and marketing deal with E1 Records - North America's largest independent label - I’m honouring the decision made by my 6 year old self.
At the age of 14, when I started to outgrow my love of singing Britney and Christina karaoke, I took up the guitar to accommodate my overwhelming need to express myself through the art of songwriting. I immediately realized that I'd discovered what I would argue to be the most powerful means of self-expression known to humankind.
With that, my single-song repertoire quickly turned into two songs, then three songs, and progressed to the point where I would go looking for trouble just as a means of inspiration. As I’ve grown I’ve realized the ability of music to expose the similarities among all of us. This is, undoubtedly, one of the reasons that I’ve always found myself so addicted to it.
I spent the majority of 2007 and early 2008 recording 10 of my original songs, a few of which I had the pleasure of co-writing with Sean Ashby (guitarist for Sarah McLaughlin) and my vocal coach, Ray Lyell (Ray Lyell and the Storm). The compilation was produced by my now-manager, Tom Treumuth (Honeymoon Suite, the Spoons, Big Sugar), and some of those songs, as well as some newer material, will be released on iTunes as an EP through E1 Records within the next couple of months.
Over the past couple of years, I've performed the national anthem for the Toronto Maple Leafs, Toronto Raptors, and Toronto Marlies on multiple occasions. I've also been fortunate enough to have multiple opportunities to perform with Juno Award winner Jack DeKyzer.
My musical influences range from the Beatles, to Aretha Franklin, to John Mayer, making it difficult to categorize my music into a certain genre. In other words, I like to think that my music has a little something for everyone. My original songs vary from funky, R&B
influenced tracks, to heartfelt ballads, to some good old rock'n'roll. If you're looking for something with soul and personality, you might want to take a listen...and you just might get hooked.
To join the Melissa Bel Fan Club on Facebook please visit http://www.new.facebook.com/home.php?ref=home/group.php?gid=9218164390
Thanks for the ad . I never realized there was such a great talent in Burlington. Keep up the good work-I really enjoyed listening to your music/ voice
Hey Melissa, thanks so much for the kind words about my music, I really appreciate it. And I do think we went to the same school. I went to Kilbride then to Pearson. I would love to put a show together sometime, I wont be back from tour until december 20th, so it will have to wait till the new year, but let me know any thoughts you have on venues and all that :). Also, I have a show in Toronto next tuesday. You should defnitely come. Its at the Free Times Cafe, which if you know it.. is an amazing venue. A small room with great sound. Anyways, hope you're doing well. Talk to you soon.
Im actually from mississauga, which is like 20 mins away, but i like going to toronto. thats fun, do you like playing here? and yes, you must let me know next time you are coming back :)
Hey! It was great meeting you on sunday. We were so amazed by your voice! We will definitely be at your show in October. We're having one on Halloween if you're interested :)
Thank you very much, your showcase was awesome as well....gettin back to you a bit late lol. You should consider getting some gigs in Montreal eh; we have some great events/clubs here! See ya sometime down the road! Jon
