Noelle and Bella, both current students at Barnard, will be performing live for the first time at this year’s Battle of the Bands! Their story started when Noelle—a senior studying film—and Bella—a sophomore studying sociology—met this past fall semester through another shared interest: doing costume work for some of Columbia’s theater productions. Noelle had always been interested in music and had been writing songs that she never thought she’d perform. Bella, an experienced musician who’s already released a number of albums under the name Isabella Williams, saw Noelle’s talent and two began to collaborate. They’ve been making indie rock music on Columbia’s campus since, citing influences including Stevie Nicks, Alanis Morissette, and Tina Turner. They’re excited to share their music with the Columbia community for the first time—especially the song “Blue-Eyed Angel”, with lyrics which Noelle says describe an “unbridgeable gap between you and the person you love” based on race, gender, and more. She wrote most of the song over the past summer and finished it while studying abroad in Prague in the spring.
Sitting down with Noelle and Bella, it’s clear that they’re both excited to perform at Battle of the Bands. Noelle has never performed before, and it’ll be Bella’s first time in a few years. When they’re recording in Bella’s dorm room or at CU Records, Noelle sings her lyrics and plays guitar while Bella takes on other instruments and production. In addition to their musical influences, I asked them about any artists they admire whose styles are completely different from their own. Bella thought of Frank Zappa, and Noelle thought of Bella’s solo projects—a testament to their friendship as well as their teamwork.
Before hitting the stage, Bella’s planning to introduce Noelle to her pre-show meditation routine. Their dream Bacchanal headliners include artists like Faye Webster for Noelle and SZA for Bella. Their tastes in the music they listen to and make are different and combine to make magic—while we were chatting, a fan came up and said hello! They’re excited to share a stage with the other Battle of the Bands performers and will definitely be an act to remember. In the meantime, listen to some of their favorite songs at the moment! Noelle’s is Old Man by Neil Young and Bella’s is Wherever I Go by Jacob Collier, Michael McDonald, and Lawrence.