We have a MEGA co-headline show coming up on the 7th May from Death Valley Girls & Bella and The Bizarre. We thought this called for our first double A-side interview!
Hey guys! Thanks for joining us for a chat. Could you please tell readers who we’re talking to, and what you do?
Bonnie: Hi! Thanks for having us! I’m Bonnie from Death Valley Girls, I’m one of the channels! I receive messages, and bring them to the group to turn into song! I sing, play organ, and guitar!
Bella: Hey! My name is Bella Khan and I’m the front woman and rhythm guitarist of Bella and the Bizarre.
You guys are heading back out on the road, including a stop off at Bodega on 7th May! Anywhere in particular you’re excited to revisit or anywhere you’ve never gigged before that you’re looking forward to visiting?
Bonnie: Honestly, I’m so stoked for every night! We have a very exciting one of a kind show we are bringing on this tour. It’s a group of 5 totally interesting and unique master musicians, including saxophone! Lots of singing, tons of improvisation! Definitely super excited, as always for the UK. Very special place to get to play!
Bella: So thrilled to be hitting the road and playing in so many new places! That paired with getting to tag along with the incredible Death Valley Girls, whom I admire and adore, is just too exciting. One other big highlight on the journey for me will definitely be visiting Bern. I’ve been warmly welcomed there by a community of artists and musicians, and frequently visit, however this will be my first time bringing my band there.
Bonnie, you guys are 12 years strong this year with tons of releases under your belts, including five studio albums. As you look back across that time, what would you say are your proudest moments?
Bonnie: There’s so many, and some super gigantic news coming soon. But, I think any artist will agree the proudest moment is writing new songs. Every time we finish a song or an album, I think that’s it, there can’t be anymore. And then poof, one day soon you are racing home to get to your guitar and write something new. I think everyone should take a moment to be proud of everything they’ve done, and remember there will always be more!!
And then Bella, you guys released your debut album at the end of last year. How was that? Was the reception to it as you were hoping?
Bella: I have certainly been happy with how the album has been received so far. It’s been very heart-warming and inspiring to hear that people are liking what we do! We feel very fortunate and excited to be able to get out and share it on this tour.
So you guys are going on tour TOGETHER! How did that link-up come about? What can fans of the other band expect from you at the live shows?
Bella: We met 7 years ago, at a festival where they were playing, when I was still a teeny! As I was beaming up at her in awe as they played, she suddenly jumped down from the stage and we instinctively gave each other a big hug. After the show we started to talk and ended up hanging out for the rest of the festival. Yes, I believe in love at first sight!
Bonnie: Yeah, it’s gonna be wild, that much I know! Once we met, we could not separate. She is my sister, she is my queen! I can not wait to dance to her music, and have her dance to ours!!
Once you’ve finished your tour, what next? Are you guys treating fans to festival appearances over the summer? Perhaps any new music that you may be able to tease for us?
Bonnie: We just released a 7” of two covers! Fleetwood Mac’s “Sisters of the Moon” and Link Wray’s “Fire and Brimstone.” We have a bunch more shows, but more than that we have about 50 songs I need to get on wax! We need to get in the studio asap!!
Bella: We have a full whack of new songs, most of which we will sharing on this upcoming tour. When we return to Berlin, we’ll head into the studio and those songs will become a full new album.
If you were cast away to a desert island tomorrow and you were allowed an unlimited supply of ice cream but only of one flavour, what flavour would you pick?
Bella: My bass player thinks this is ridiculous, but my honest answer is GRAPEFRUIT. I love the bittersweet taste. It always makes me happy. Don’t knock it till you try it!!
Bonnie: Oh, I’m a Virgo, that’s a tough question!! Would it be mint chocolate chip – cause mint has so many medicinal properties?? Or would it be something yummy, like chocolate peanut butter ??!! I don’t know !! I would have to do a lot more research on the specifics of the island !!!:)
Haha! Noted. We’ll get ya some specifics, Bonnie. Thanks for chatting to us, guys. Can’t wait for the gig! Tickets are still on sale right here.
