Welcome
Aka Belle at The Shrine Social Club Ballroom, Treefort Music Fest 2024
Following their muse has made Aka Belle hard to categorize over the years - from bittersweet laments and folksy protest pop songs, to psychedelic heavy guitar driven feedback mixed with sultry, retro tropicalia jazz vibes, they’ve been anything but predictable…
AKA BELLE ARE ROCK N ROLL WARRIORS SUMMONING THE POWER OF THE COSMOS!
They fearlessly defy genres with a magical blend of psych-folk, jazz infused wizardry and rebellious protest pop. Throughout their organic transformations and the urge to push their own boundaries, Aka Belle have become known for their energetic live shows; evocative, sometimes ceremonial, always powerful.
Wild, shimmering guitars collide with upright bass, vibraphone swirls over hints of swinging beats, topped off with seductive female vocals and you've got meteor shower power.
At the core, Aka Belle remains the same (Catherine Merrick, vocals, guitar, vibraphone; and Sam Merrick, guitar, vocals); disco-ball safety-helmet wearing Jake Stigers on drums and vocals; and the ever smiling Anthony Mulparry on upright bass.
After a chance meeting at a Boise State University Music Business Panel in December 2023 (and a few other synchronistic experiences), Christine Nygard followed the call of the Universe and joined the band. Christine sings, plays guitar and adopted the lonely theremin that had been sitting in the bands rehearsal space - a sound that you'll hear in the upcoming release, “Radiant, Baby.”
Recently described as an esoteric experiment in psych-folk, Aka Belle have often appeared or recorded with a rolling cast of characters who add to their eclectic on and off stage antics/personalities - past accomplices include Gina Gregerson of Dirt Fishermen; Troy Wright of Treepeople/Sugar Pox; Mollie Long Williams of We Are You; Gia Trotter of Roller Dome; Jenn Sutkowski of Trippy Hearts; various members of Hilfolk Noir; Curtis Stigers; Brett Netson of Earth/Caustic Resin/Snakes/Built to Spill - just to name a few).
“Don’t be afraid of time or change - it’s constant-” Aka Belle sing in their 2021 release, “New Highs in Leadership;” clearly acknowledging and prophesying their metamorphoses as they explore their own universe and beyond.
Christine
Catherine
Anthony
Jake
