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 leaning band to a synth-pop/alt-pop band with both 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” in her home studio, then taking them to the studio to finesse with Moran. They released one song per month in 2020 making good use of the grant awarded to them by Black Fret 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 André took over one of Austin’s esteemed studios, Cedar Creek Studio, as head engineer/manager and they eventually began work on their newest EP, Four Fathoms Deep (out 6/30/23). It’s a lush and vibrant set of 6 songs, which includes their cover of the Talk Talk song, Life’s What You Make It. The title track, Four Fathoms Deep explores how far you will go to hold on to a love in danger of falling apart, but worth fighting for. They will celebrate with a show at Pershing in Austin, TX on July 8th with Sabrina Ellis Band (Sweet Spirit/A Giant Dog) joining them on the bill.
CHECK OUT THE NEW EP, FOUR FATHOMS DEEP.
We are so excited to release our new EP, Four Fathoms Deep, available everywhere you listen to music! Produced by Noëlle Hampton and recorded/mixed by André Moran at Cedar Creek Studio, this is a lush set of 6 songs full of layered synths, guitars and vocals hooks. Please share with friends and add us to your favorite playlists if you like what you hear!
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"The shorthand is that Belle Sounds is Austin’s Fleetwood Mac, built around two very talented women singer-songwriters plus an inventive guitarist and studio wizard. But that doesn’t really explain the singular sound they’ve carved out as a top-notch synth-pop band in a town better-known for Americana and blues. The five originals here are written by Noelle Hampton, who also produced the EP, with support from keyboardist/backing vocalist Emily Shirley, guitarist/keyboardist André Moran, and the rhythm section of bassist Gregory Hagen and drummer Danny Piccuirro. A closing cover of Talk Talk’s “Life’s What You Make It” pales in comparison to Hampton’s own compositions, which underscores how compelling her songwriting is. Though they’ve been putting out records for a decade, they’re mostly unknown outside Austin. But if they keep making music as good as Four Fathoms Deep, that really needs to change.
(Peter Blackstock/No Depression)
"It's beautiful, just beautiful." (Kevin Conner/Sun Radio 100.1)
"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." (Laurie Gallardo/KUTX 98.9)
"It's my favorite new album this year" (Johnny Goudie/How Did I Get Here Podcast)
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New video out now for WITNESS.
Filmed at 3TEN ACL LIVE in Austin, TX.
Check out our video for CHIMERA, filmed by Justin Dunlap (Dunlap Films) at
Cedar Creek Studio in Austin, TX.
Thank you so much for your support at 3Ten ACL Live!
Here is POST-WAR, filmed by Northshore Media Productions.
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We are on the"TOP 5 EPs IN AUSTIN for 2021" list by Peter Blackstock from Austin360 (Austin American Statesman)
Check it out here!
