News

Bellatrix shares her views on Bristol's arts and music scene

13/05/2011

Categories: Official press releases

Visit Bristol’s Jessica McDonald sat down with Bellatrix, Bristol’s world beat boxing champion, to get her take on Bristol’s music scene and how Bristol has shaped her music career. Take a journey with us through Belle’s Bristol and the alternative music scene that makes the city truly unorthodox.

I met up with Belle Ehresmann (AKA Bellatrix) at the Barbican Centre in London for our interview on a beautiful April day. Belle attends the city’s prestigious London Guildhall School of Music just next door so the venue is quite fitting given her artistic background. Belle isn’t what you would expect at all from the world’s beat boxing champion.

She is beyond her years at just twenty-two and definitely knows what she wants out of life and her career. She is intelligent, articulate and after an hour you feel like you could tell her your life story. She seems very laid back but Belle clearly knows what she wants and even more than being a successful musician she wants something simple—to make a difference.

I’m sure you get this all the time, but how and when did you begin beat boxing?

I began beatboxing about seven years ago when I was 15. I had been hanging out with a family friend who I consider to be one of the pioneering beatboxers in the early days of beatboxing in the UK. He was a really inspirational guy and helped me to pick up the basics. From there it was a case of personal practice, experimentation and borderline obsession. As with any discipline beatboxing requires a lot of dedication.

Who are some of your favourite musicians that have inspired you along the way?

My inspiration has come from so many different places. I really have my dad to thank for immersing me in such an eclectic ocean of amazing music as a child. He is a great musician and although music never fully became his profession he really has something special about what he brings to the table musically. On top of a load of amazing teachers and peers I've been lucky enough to know and learn from, I owe great credit to my two bass tutors Riaan Vosloo and Steve Watts. Riaan taught me bass guitar as a young teenager, and introduced me to jazz and the double bass when I was about 15. He has been a massive influence on the music I enjoy and play, but also my attitude towards music in general. I still consider him to be an important mentor in my life. I've studied under Steve Watts throughout my time at guildhall, and I really think he's one of the most wise and inspirational teachers in the school.

And then of course there is the long list of amazing musical influences I've grown up listening to and continue to discover. It's hard to specify my main influences as I really like so much different music, but I suppose I can pick out a few of the important ones… Charles Mingus is an obvious one; John Coltrane, Bjork, George Clinton's Parliament, Motown and more recently Lionel Lueke, Flying Lotus, Questlove. There are so many it wouldn't be practical to continue.

What is your favourite type of music?

I feel like I have an open relationship with music. Whether I'm into a piece of music or not doesn't so much depend on the genre but its ability to make me feel something.

What are you up to these days since you moved to London?

I'm just coming to the end of a four-year undergraduate degree in Jazz at Guildhall School of Music and Drama, majoring on the double bass. Obviously a lot of my energy has been channelled into personal development as a musician during this unique time of study, however I've been lucky enough to have quite a fruitful career alongside my education. I do quite a bit of freelance work as a bass player and a beatboxer and the two main bands I play in are 'the Boxettes' and 'Dizraeli and the Small Gods'.

I also play in a few casual/less demanding bands and projects. 'Dizraeli and the Small Gods' is a seven-piece folk/hiphop hybrid band lead and fronted by rapper Dizraeli (also from Bristol). I have a lot of respect for Dizraeli and his work; he talks a lot of sense and wisdom on a very human level plus some serious wit and creativity. And of course, the band are really great to play with.

The Boxettes, my baby, is a five piece all female vocal group. I guess it was always something I had to do, being a one of so few female beatboxers in the world. Not only are there so few decent female vocal groups, but as far as I’m aware there are hardly any vocal groups that play their own original material and actually sound like a band as opposed to an a’cappella group. I feel so proud and lucky to have stumbled upon this gem of a concept and to be joined by four of the most exceptional and shiny vocalists I’ve ever met. I have high dreams for the Boxettes; I really believe in us… It’s a lovely feeling!

It doesn’t sound like you have much time to call anywhere home, but where would that be in theory?

Well I've been living in London for the past four years now, but I grew up in Devon and Bristol and will always consider the West Country to be my home. Most if not all of my family are in the West Country, and you know, home is where the heart is. I imagine that when I settle down and have a family I'd like to move back to Bristol. Give it another ten years though!

What is your favourite thing about Bristol?

It's really difficult to put to words, but there is a certain vibe about Bristol that is particularly distinct from any other city I've been to. It sticks to its inhabitants too; I can spot a Bristolian a mile off because they exude this Bristolian mega-vibe. Everyone seems to be so free spirited and independent in this renegade city of relentless creativity.

Where are your favourite places to watch live music in Bristol?

I guess it depends what sort of night I'm after… there are some wicked pubs that put on quality music - like the Golden Lion on Gloucester Road, the Old Duke, Coronation Tap, and there's the bebop club that is specifically jazz. Another of my favourite smaller venues is Mr. Wolf's, which is a noodle bar near the centre of town that stays open till the early hours of the morning and puts on live music and DJs (and of course has a bar). Then there are the bigger music venues: Thekla is an old boat converted into a club where I've seen many a great gig. A lot of big gigs happen in Fiddlers in Bedminster, which is a really good stage to play. And there's the Croft, which is definitely on the smaller and rougher side, but a lot of good nights get put on there.

Who are your favourite Bristol Musicians?

Well I'm into a bit of Massive Attack and Portishead - a couple of the obvious Bristol creations. And of course it kind of goes without saying that I think Dizraeli is amazing. But then there are so many other less known bands who deserve far more recognition than they get. Bizali are completely incredible; they are one of those wonderful bands who defy pigeonholing, but can perhaps be hung wonkily upon the 'pop' peg; all amazing musicians anyhow. I can't big them up enough without sounding like an idiot. But yeah, check out Dub from Atlantis, Babyhead, Master Chaynjis, Chasing Shadows, Kid Carpet, Chair Fight.

What do you like most about Bristol’s music scene?

I love that there are so many interesting new sounds constantly being generated in Bristol. It is a place where new fusions of styles are and ideas always surfacing, perhaps because everybody is so open to experimentation and the unknown. From a musician’s perspective, one of the things that really stands out to me about Bristol is how supportive all the musicians generally are towards one another. Musicians in Bristol seem to remember why it is that they've chosen to play music, which is usually to feed their passion in one way or another as opposed to feeding their egos and obsessions, which seems to be a trap that many musicians can too easily fall victim to.

Where do you like to have a night out in Bristol?

As there are always loads of great gigs going on in Bristol, my nights out would always involve going to see a band, and when I was up for going out raving all night my favourite place was the black swan on Stapleton Road in Easton. Nowadays whenever I’m in Bristol I’m playing the gig, so I don’t have much option!

What are your favourite areas in and around Bristol?

I really appreciate the more vibrant dynamic areas in Bristol. There are so many quirky corners when you stray from the obvious places. For example I love Easton, St. Pauls and Stokes Croft - I used to play at street parties in these areas, and have always preferred the parts of any city that are so brimming with diversity. My ‘family’ home is in St. George, and although there was never really much going on there I reckon it’s gonna grow to be another one of these colourful urban secrets. I hope so anyway. There is a nice park and skate park already there.

Where do you like to shop in Bristol?

If I’m honest I’m not really that into shopping, but if I do have to shop then I prefer Bristol’s smaller independent places. St. Nics Market is nice, and there are some wicked little shops on Park Street. I guess I just feel like there’s no point in talking about the major high street brands as you can find them in pretty much any city. Why not check out some of Bristol’s own produce, ya know?!

What are your favourite Bristol restaurants?

There is a food area in St. Nics Market near the centre of town – it is amazing. A load of variety, and they’re all independents with locally sourced food. La Casbah is an amazing Moroccan restaurant on St. Marks road in Easton – I haven’t been there for a few years but I remember it being completely incredible in every way. The Thali Café in Montpellier is great too. Delicious Indian food.

What are your favourite Bristol events?

St. Pauls Carnival, the Old Duke Jazz festival, and Pride Bristol. Oh and I like eating my way around the free food samples at the Organic food festival. And Harbour Festival. And Brisfest. Yeah I think that’s it!

What would your perfect day in Bristol look like?

I live in St George so I would wake up, take a walk around St Georges Park and feed the ducks. That is actually a lie, I probably wouldn't. But it sounds nice - right? Then I would take the bus into town and sit outside The Old Duke and have a drink with some friends. Did I mention it’s sunny in my day (laughs)? Definitely sunny. Then I guess I would find somewhere grassy to sit – there are lots of nice grassy places in Bristol. Get some decent local food for dinner, then go to the Cadbury in Montpellier for a hang with some different friends (assuming my other friends are fed up of me by that time). After a drink or two we’d go and see a gig. And then I'd probably find a house party.

What would you like to be doing in five years?

In five years time I would love to be in a better position to influence and help empower young people growing up in what I consider to be a covertly oppressive society. And also to help spread the message of the people through music, and the exposure that music can bring. I have been very lucky in life and as it has become clear to me that my band the Boxettes has the potential to go far. I’ve realised that I may be able to actually share my luck and make a difference, as cliché as that sounds. In light of this, it is really important that I make sure I’m aware of what is going on in the world and keep an open heart and an open mind. I also hope that in five years time, and every year before and after, I will be the best musician I can possibly be.

You can see Bellatrix live to Bristol for various upcoming gigs, including: