Your Austin Music Minute maven can testify that Emily Bell ignites the stage. It’s not just a set. It’s a show, and it seems to come quite naturally for the Texas native. Her electrifying, flamboyant performances, including her rock ‘n’ soul shake down at The Sessions‘ Living Room Live at The W last month, can be attributed to her musical upbringing. All the musicians she’s ever worked with, all the R&B, soul, rock and roots music she heard growing up, are touchstones for Bell, reminders of what inspired her to pursue her passion at full speed.
Bell feels a deep connection to Southern music, mainly the sounds she was exposed to in Houston like roots and Delta Blues. And it was there that she met songwriter (and her soul mate) John Evans, the producer and co-writer of her debut album, In Technicolor. She saw Evans play for the first time and something clicked. While a brief period on the West Coast gave Bell the opportunity to write, record and perform in a different environment, she knew Texas would always be her mainstay. She returned home and met up with Evans soon after, marking the beginning of a longtime collaborative relationship. This melding of minds fuels the energy of In Technicolor, drawing a lot from Bell’s and Evans’ musical influences combined, everything from Otis Redding and The Ronnettes to bands like The Rolling Stones and The Stooges.
The album’s official release date is Tuesday, but Bell will be celebrating early with a spectacular Technicolor Ball tonight at The North Door, at E. 5th and Brushy St. This is a huge bill, featuring sets by Hard Proof Afrobeat and Dallas-based funk band Larry g(EE). Doors open at 9 p.m., and the music starts at 9:30. Expect a fabulous vibe, darling. Recommended.
