Your Austin Music Minute maven has said this before, and it needs to be repeated: Emily Bell ignites the stage. It’s an entire show, and it seems to come quite naturally for the Texas-born songwriter. Her electrifying, flamboyant performances 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. It was 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.
Feeling a bit chilly tonight? This will surely heat you up. Emily Bell performs tonight at Stubb’s indoor venue, 801 Red River. Sharing the bill is songwriter Joanna Barbera, and local R&B outfit The Finest Kind. Doors open at 8:30 p.m. Recommended.
