Since her debut as an artist in 2020, singer-songwriter Isabel "BEL" Whelan hasn't stopped. Throughout her whole life, music has been a pivotal part of shaping who she is, and it's even more apparent in her debut album Holy Grail. In this album, she takes a whimsical journey through her life in search of her dreams. With the dreamy visuals, ambient tone, and storytelling, it makes you feel as if you were transported into a fairytale.

Image Credit: Spreng from Management

In an exclusive interview with The Teen Magazine, I was grateful enough to sit down with her and discuss all things Holy Grail- and, most importantly, all things BEL. Her passion and artistry are reflected in every word she spoke to me, and, after hearing her story, I can confidently say she just might be your new favorite artist.

The Story of "Holy Grail"

Albums, over the years, have progressed into something far more than just music. The visuals, curation, and, of course, lyricism, elevate the entire listening experience. This ability to shape music into your own personal fairytale is demonstrated in Holy Grail. The album is an inspiring deep-dive into desire and ambition and builds into a story about the quest-like nature of chasing your greatest desires, hence, the title, "Holy Grail".

When asked about the story behind the creation and inspiration for this album, BEL revealed that after writing the song, "Holy Grail" three years ago, that idea needed to be the centerpiece for the album.

"It felt like it needed to be the center of the theme of a full project. Over the years, I accumulated more songs that felt like they belonged in that world, and I think once I knew it was going to be called the Holy Grail, I was flooded with all these ideas for visuals and mixing the medieval Holy Grail."

She also had told me she took heavy inspiration from Monty Python and the Holy Grail, and strived to have a somewhat humorous element.

Sonically, she said that she added the whimsical theatrical elements because of her upbringing in theater, and told me that her dreams of performing, and the dream she'd been chasing in her life, had led to the album taking shape naturally. She explained that the was a culmination of all the things she'd grown up listening to, as well as what she'd been listening to now-referring to Radiohead and folky sound being her biggest inspirations.

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Creating "Holy Grail"

BEL said one of her favorite parts of creating the album was being able to experiment with new things and textures, as well as different sounds and synths she hadn't used before, and, got a general feel for what the sound of the project would be in sessions with collaborators.

As she released singles and EPs, in the background, she was watching it take shape. She said that the span of 3 years,

"We had 40 demos, and paired it all down to 10-11 songs."

To make it feel cohesive sonically, she found producer Jason Vance Harris, and their good chemistry worked out in the end as they spent a month and a half putting finishing touches on the album. She elaborated on the fact that collaborating with others," feels like a community, a friend group of people", noting that everyone brought something unique to the table in the creation of this album.

Image Credit: Spreng from Management

Touring and Playing her new album

For BEL, touring for this album was an experience like no other. Recently, during the week of Holy Grail's release, she played shows in her "Dress Rehearsal" tour throughout September and October in Los Angeles, California, Ocean's Calling Festival in Maryland, New York City, New York, and Boston, Massachusetts. It was her first time playing with a full band at her Los Angeles show on September 22nd: A drummer, bassist, keyboardist, and guitarist.

She recalled,

"It created such a full sound and fun energy on stage. I love performing solo too, but having a band is just a different level of energy-it's really fun!"

BEL had told me the biggest difference in this tour compared to her past shows was that the elevation of her production had increased. She incorporated a split setlist, playing both old and new songs from her discography. She had explained she referred to the show dates as her "Dress Rehearsal" because she was rehearsing for her album release show.

And, because what would a tour for Holy Grail be without theatrics and fantasy?- She told me the most memorable part of the tour was the monologues she had volunteers from the audience read before the setlist split into the second half, with songs from Holy Grail, taking the audience at her shows themselves on this journey with her into Holy Grail. When asked about the whole experience, BEL beamed as she told the explanation and what each monologue entailed,

"My friend and I wrote a story about BEL, her dreams, and the journey of the Holy Grail, with some backstory about the album, all in a Shakespearean style. It was fun to have audience participation-For the release show, my friend who does comedy acted as the MC, using some of the monologue scripts and adding his own."

Along with a costume change, these shows, as she described, displayed the theater elements she took from her life and childhood and put into one beautiful arrangement of music in her shows. She truly commits so much to the storytelling in this piece of work, the creativity almost making one feel as if they are seeing a glimpse into her inner thoughts.

Heritage Influence(s)

Continuing with the topic of her childhood and how it influenced Holy Grail, I couldn't not bring up the Spanglish anthem, "Amor" on the album, a beautiful song about longing for true love in a rather boring modern dating. As a young Latina girl, I found it so inspiring and beautiful that she had incorporated parts of her own culture into this work, demonstrating that though she was chasing her dreams, she was not letting go of what made her, her.

What I found out about BEL was that she's a huge family person, and the youngest of 5 kids. Her Mom is Argentine, and she grew up in a bilingual household, so English and Spanish were intertwined in her childhood. She continued to tell me that she sang to her in Spanish a lot growing up, and that Spanish and music have been connected to her whole life and her identity, and that she one day wishes to write a full Spanish song.

We both shared a laugh about it because I, too, have a Spanish mother, and as she referred, we were both part of the "Latina Mothers Club".

Growth and Lessons Learned

BEL's hard work and dedication to her craft shine through this album greatly, and you can tell how passionate she is about each and every piece of art she puts out into the world. Over the past five years, and throughout the course of creating this album, she didn't just learn the different types of ways she could incorporate different sounds and creative aspects into her work, but she also learned more about her voice, telling me that she learned how,

"[to] communicate what's happening in my brain into music."

She told me a lesson she learned from the whole process of being an artist was that, "It will be hard at first, but I have to keep putting music out, even though it won't be perfect." She smiled as she told me that she was proud of the five productive years of writing, and that she believes she's had clear growth as she's progressed in her career.

When I asked her about a moment that she'd consider as an "I made it moment" in her career, she told me that she doesn't feel as if she's 'made it' yet, but a moment that gave her the same kind of 'pinch me' feeling was when she first had her music on Sirius XM radio. She then told me that she got to do a SiriusXMU live session a couple of years ago, as well as another one, which is out now on the SiriusXM app! Regarding Sirius XM, she says she thanks them greatly and that,

"They took a chance on me as a small artist that is still developing, and that won't be lost on me."

Rapid-Fire Questions

1. What song/artist is on repeat for you?: "Lovefool by the Cardigans, I'm on a nostalgic kick right now.

2. What is your favorite concert that you've ever been to? "I just played the Oceans Calling festival last month, and I got to see Green Day live for the first time. I genuinely had an out-of-body experience."

3. What is your first musical memory? "I did choir as a little kid, and I just remember wanting so badly to get the solo.

My first ever challenge, so too, in the 3rd grade, I sang "Breakaway" by Kelly Clarkson. It was the first time I ever sang by myself with an audience, and I was so obsessed with her at the time.

4. What are 3 words to describe the Holy Grail?: "Quest, Hope, and Resilience."

5. What is your favorite line in Holy Grail?: "Look it up's chorus, "If you had to look it up, it's probably not love."

6. What is your favorite song from Holy Grail, and why? "Read Between.

I love the production on it so much, and I love that it switches up and goes double time. The reason is that it sounds awesome! I love it, I feel really proud of it...As well as the sentiment of the lyrics, just learning to accept people as they really are, and not try to change them or change yourself for them.

What's next for BEL?

On the same day I interviewed BEL, a few days after the album had been released, she had posted on her Instagram that her song, "Are You Okay?" had been featured in a Taco Bell commercial! We laughed as she told me the story behind it, telling me,

"I'm part of the Feed The Beat program this year, which puts songs by touring artists up for consideration for commercials. I was cautiously optimistic until they sent me the video; it was really happening!"

She proceeded to tell me that she couldn't believe the coincidence that it had happened during release week, and I was so happy for her.

She told me that in the future, she is trying to manifest getting on a really cool tour, "Hopefully a sick artist looking for an opener." When asked about who she'd want to open for in the future that some of her dream people to open for would be any sort of 'indie pop girlie', but, specifically, Audrey Hobert, HAIM, Dora Jar, or Samia. Along with that, she added that she wants to start writing once again next, as well as continue to promote the message of the Holy Grail.

Advice for Creatives

When I had asked her if she had any advice for any musicians or creatives in search of their own "Holy Grail" in their creative pursuits, she told me, "keep going, and keep pushing forward", before saying that she was a firm believer that everything happens for a reason. Hearing her talk about perseverance and ambition persisting made me feel like I was listening to Holy Grail in itself. She doesn't just make music about chasing your dreams; she lives it, reminding every aspiring artist or creative that their Holy Grail is within reach, you can't stop yet.

"When you experience setbacks, don't get discouraged because I think it means that something more suited for you is on its way, and you just never know when one closed door might lead to something way better. Continue creating and continue going for that goal because there's a reason that you feel this pull towards that something."

Image Credit: Spreng from Management

Keep Up With BEL

With Holy Grail, BEL is cementing her spot as the next big indie pop star. She truly is a visionary and has such a bright path ahead of her! You can find her on Instagram: @belmakesmusic and TikTok: @belmakesmusica. And, of course, go stream Holy Grail on Spotify! https://open.spotify.com/embed/album/6Wi1xvuWxGzmo8ZIrqzFhK?utm_source=generator