The Belle Sounds

“Austin’s Synth-Pop quintet The Belle Sounds release their new 6 song EP, Oh Humanity on Sept. 4th, 2024. This 21 minute hook laden EP is shimmering with lush synths, gorgeous guitars, rhythmic ear candy, addictive melodies and their signature vocal harmonies from lead singer Noëlle Hampton and fellow keyboardist Emily Shirley. This is their sixth release, not counting the twelve singles they released in 2020. They will celebrate at 3Ten ACL Live on Sept. 7th as a double release party with their friend Ray Prim as he releases his full length album Through It All, as well as special guest Suzanna Choffel.

Synth-pop quintet The Belle Sounds have been called “one of the best pop bands in Austin” (Austin American Statesman), “Best New Band” (Austin Chronicle) and have their own day named after them in their hometown of Austin, TX. Led by the husband-wife team of Noëlle Hampton and André Moran, they have been developing their evocative sound and each year the synchronicity between all five musicians shines through more and more. In 2020 they shifted gears from a more guitar heavy band to a synth-pop/alt-pop band with Hampton and longtime band member, Emily Shirley on synths and keys. Hampton also took on the role of producer, creating all of the musical parts, melody and lyrics for each song in highly detailed demos and then taking them to the studio to finesse with Moran who splits his duties between guitar and engineering/co-producing. They released one song per month that year, making good use of the grant awarded to them by Sonic Guild by creating videos and new content. The momentum continued in 2021 with a brand new EP, All About Love. Their work garnered them a coveted spot on The Austin American Statesman’s Best of 2020 and Best of 2021 list, multiple spots on the KUTX Song Of The Day and a placement in the popular Netflix show, Outer Banks.

In 2022 Moran took over the long established Cedar Creek Studio as head engineer/manager and they eventually began work on their newest EP, Four Fathoms Deep, released on 6/30/23. This vibrant 6 song EP includes five originals and their cover of the Talk Talk song, “Life’s What You Make It.” They celebrated with a wonderfully successful show at Pershing in Austin, TX on July 8th with Sabrina Ellis (Sweet Spirit/A Giant Dog) on the bill as well. Laurie Gallardo from KUTX 98.9 said this about the latest EP: ”Hampton and husband/creative partner André Moran knew an evolution was brewing in the band’s style. And since Hampton took on the role of producer, it’s expanded further into a synth-pop realm that compliments the band’s shimmering melodies. The new EP Four Fathoms Deep is the latest to show off the exploration of electronic layers with a vibrant ‘80s-inspired palate of synth-and-hook pop.” Kevin Conner from Sun Radio (100.1) called it “Beautiful, just beautiful.”

The band has yielded incredible opportunities onstage too, playing some of Austin’s finest stages including ACL Moody Theater, 3Ten ACL Live, Cheer Up Charlies, Empire Control Room, One-2-One, Pershing Hall, Scholz’s Garden, Saxon Pub and more, including opening for Bruce Hornsby at Kirk Watson’s Pre-ACL Fest Under The Stars Benefit in Zilker Park in 2019.

All the accolades are due to an ever evolving sound, now rich with lush soundscapes intertwined with effervescent harmonies and poignant lyricism. All the textured guitar sounds and layered synths are anchored by a reverence for good old fashioned hooks, a trait they share in common with their influences, which range from harmony-driven bands like Fleetwood Mac to 80s icons like Kate Bush, Depeche Mode, Tears For Fears, Peter Gabriel, Blondie and more.

While the creative duties are the domain of songwriter/producer/lead singer Hampton and co producer/engineer/guitar player Moran, they are joined by longtime band members Emily Shirley (keys/vocals), Greg Hagen (bass/vocals) and newest member Danny Piccuirro (drums/samples).

Noëlle and André met at a club in their then-home of San Francisco and it was love at first sight. Their personal and artistic chemistry flowed abundantly, so playing together came naturally and they quickly landed song placements and slots opening for everyone from Wilco, Chris Isaak and Pat Benatar to the great Bob Dylan on top of being featured in the very first iTunes commercial along with Iggy Pop, Jeff Tweedy, Ziggy Marley and Aimee Mann.Though the duo had considerable success playing their own brand of Alt-pop and Americana both in California and their adopted hometown of Austin, where they moved in the early 2000s, Hampton yearned to create music inspired by her 70s/80s pop leanings and so The Belle Sounds was born in 2013. The band released an eponymous first album, then the EP Black Stone, followed by 2018’s The Sea Within. Praise for the group’s new sound began to roll in, including admiration for their “brilliant atmospheric guitar soundscapes” (Austin American Statesman) and “soaring synths and vocal harmonies” (Glide Magazine).

With a history rich with accomplishments and growth under their belts, the band looks forward to the rest of 2024 and beyond, as they continue to develop their evocative sound and perform as much as they can.”

– TheBelleSounds.com

The Avocados

“The Avocados seed was planted in 2013 on the fertile east side soil of Austin, TX by Greg Rhoades. Greg is a seasoned Texas bassist, writer and performer with such bands as: Golden Dawn Arkestra, Mudphonic and Starchild. His growing interest in playing guitar and a love of surf music led him to form the band with his friend & neighbor, Ben Prentice (bass).

In 2017 Greg reached out to some long-time friends and musical compadres, John Branch (Hardproof, Golden Dawn Arkestra, Spanish Gold) on organ/guitar and Alex Marrero (Brownout, Brown Sabbath, Carrie Rodriguez) on drums. These two seasoned pro’s joined Greg and original bass player Ben Prentice (Roxy Roca/Diagonals) to round out the band. The energy was exciting and the chemistry was palpable. It has proven to be a potent, fan favorite line-up.

Their self-titled debut LP was recorded at Cacophony Studios and released by Found Object Records. It includes their “hit song” “Guacamole”!

The Avocado’s perform regularly at clubs, festivals, weddings, pool parties and boats!

In the fall of 2019 they began collaborating and arranging songs for a new LP. This time they recorded and mixed at Buds Studio in East Austin. The guys tracked the album 100% live to analog tape in 3 days, capturing the spirit of this unique and magical style of music; one which brings joy to people of all ages and walks of life. It’s something you can see first hand at any Avocados show!

The new album, ¡Ensalada!, dropped November 13th, 2021. To celebrate this new release, Found Object Records also re-pressed the out of print and highly acclaimed first Avocados LP!”

– TheAvocadosMusic.com