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, but the band and it’s husband-wife core of Noëlle Hampton and André Moran have never been content to rest on their laurels.

2020 saw them releasing one song per month and making good use of the grant awarded to them by Black Fret by creating videos and new content. Additionally, their work garnered them a coveted spot on The Austin American Statesman’s Best of 2020 list, a KUTX Song Of The Day and a placement in the popular Netflix show, Outer Banks. Hampton and Moran’s musical partnership has yielded incredible opportunities onstage too, like playing The Lilith Fair stage and more recently, Bruce Hornsby at Kirk Watson’s Under The Stars Benefit in Zilker Park.

All the accolades are due to an ever evolving lineup and sound, now rich with lush soundscapes intertwined with effervescent harmonies and poignant lyricism. All the swirling 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 synth-pop icons, up to the current sounds of Nu-Disco and Alt-Pop.

While the creative duties are the domain of songwriter/producer Hampton and producer/engineer Moran, they are joined by longtime band members Emily Shirley (keys/vocals) with Jim Echels (drums) and Greg Hagen (bass/vocals).

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 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. The recent releases are introspective journeys through Hampton’s inner psyche. “The difference between our woes and other professions is that we get to write our anger, sadness, love, fear and everything else into song. It's the best therapy ever.” Praise for the group’s new sound began to roll in, including admiration for their “brilliant atmospheric guitar soundscapes” (Austin American Statesman) and “soaring synth and vocal harmonies” (Glide Magazine).

Instead of taking a breather during the pandemic, Noëlle dove deep into creating music, culminating in the release of 12 singles, compiled into a Bandcamp album titled, Stay Alive- The 2020 Singles. She took advantage of the extra time and isolation the lockdown provided to work on her production skills which led to the band’s more current glossy indie pop sound. Tapping into André’s years of engineering and production experience, the couple fine tuned each track, showing once again what great chemistry can do. Multiple videos followed, including the stunning animation/live concept video collaboration with local sultry jazz crooner Seela Misra for their single, “NOW YOU SEE ME.”

With a history rich with accomplishments and growth under their belts, 2021 looks to be another whirlwind year for The Belle Sounds with an EP, single and video scheduled for summer release and the band eager to showcase new material live at their EP release party on 8/20/2021 at Capt. Quacks (Soundspace) in Austin, TX.