Interview
of Belles & Whistles
of Belles & Whistles
Q:
Hello ladies! So you are a new duo out of the American midwest
receiving some
Hello ladies! So you are a new duo out of the American midwest
receiving some
airplay
and general excitement on the country music scene, whatʼs going on?
and general excitement on the country music scene, whatʼs going on?
A:
(Kelli) Hi Christian! We are a singer/songwriter mother/daughter duo
from Nebraska
(Kelli) Hi Christian! We are a singer/songwriter mother/daughter duo
from Nebraska
called
Belles & Whistles. Mama, Jaymie, is formerly of the band Mulberry
Lane, who
Belles & Whistles. Mama, Jaymie, is formerly of the band Mulberry
Lane, who
had
a lot of airplay in Germany in the early 2,000ʼs on pop radio on MCA
Records.
a lot of airplay in Germany in the early 2,000ʼs on pop radio on MCA
Records.
Mulberry
Lane performed on Geld oder Liebe, and toured all over Germany, the
US,
Lane performed on Geld oder Liebe, and toured all over Germany, the
US,
Britain
and Japan supporting their song, “Harmless.” Since then, Jaymie
began writing
and Japan supporting their song, “Harmless.” Since then, Jaymie
began writing
and
recording country songs, and eventually added me, her daughter, Iʼm
Kelli, Iʼm 15,
recording country songs, and eventually added me, her daughter, Iʼm
Kelli, Iʼm 15,
to
become a duo. In the last year, weʼve written and recorded an LP
with Grammy
become a duo. In the last year, weʼve written and recorded an LP
with Grammy
winning
producer, Don Gehman, and our first single, “Boy Like You” is
getting airplay
producer, Don Gehman, and our first single, “Boy Like You” is
getting airplay
around
the midwest and expanding regions. Weʼll be on tour this summer in
the US,
the midwest and expanding regions. Weʼll be on tour this summer in
the US,
and
eventually, weʼd love to tour Germany. My mom says itʼs so
beautiful there.
eventually, weʼd love to tour Germany. My mom says itʼs so
beautiful there.
Q:
What is your songwriting process, and how did you attract Don Gehman
to this
What is your songwriting process, and how did you attract Don Gehman
to this
project?
A:
(Kelli) Our songwriting process is interesting. My mom had written
quite a few songs
(Kelli) Our songwriting process is interesting. My mom had written
quite a few songs
for
her solo project that then became songs for our duo project. But then
we wrote
her solo project that then became songs for our duo project. But then
we wrote
some
new ones together, to make sure that my perspective is included –
songs like “Boy
new ones together, to make sure that my perspective is included –
songs like “Boy
Like
You”, “18 & Free” and “Whisper My Name.” We collaborate
together really well, but
You”, “18 & Free” and “Whisper My Name.” We collaborate
together really well, but
Iʼm
still learning a lot from my mom about writing. My momʼs song “Rain”
was a regional
still learning a lot from my mom about writing. My momʼs song “Rain”
was a regional
finalist
in the Mountain Stage New Song Competition, and that is one of my
favorite
in the Mountain Stage New Song Competition, and that is one of my
favorite
songs
on our CD.
on our CD.
(Jaymie)
Don Gehman, who has produced Jason Michael Carroll, Pat Green, Hootie
&
Don Gehman, who has produced Jason Michael Carroll, Pat Green, Hootie
&
the
Blowfish, John Mellencamp – he is amazing to work with in the studio.
Don had
Blowfish, John Mellencamp – he is amazing to work with in the studio.
Don had
worked
with my sisters and me in Mulberry Lane. I sent him my new songs and
he
with my sisters and me in Mulberry Lane. I sent him my new songs and
he
totally
got them. We recorded with him in late 2011, and then did another
session in
got them. We recorded with him in late 2011, and then did another
session in
2012.
We are incredibly blessed to be working with him.
We are incredibly blessed to be working with him.
Q:
What is your live show like, who have you played with?
What is your live show like, who have you played with?
A:
(Jaymie) Our live show can range from Kelli and I playing acoustic
singer/songwriter
(Jaymie) Our live show can range from Kelli and I playing acoustic
singer/songwriter
style,
to a high energy show with our 4 piece band. Weʼve opened for Jerrod
Niemann,
to a high energy show with our 4 piece band. Weʼve opened for Jerrod
Niemann,
Gloriana,
Matt Stillwell, Ty Herndon, Jeremy McComb, Billy Dean, and others.
Weʼve
Matt Stillwell, Ty Herndon, Jeremy McComb, Billy Dean, and others.
Weʼve
played
a lot of fairs, festivals, Chick Singer Night in Milwaukee, and weʼre
playing the
a lot of fairs, festivals, Chick Singer Night in Milwaukee, and weʼre
playing the
Hard
Rock Cafe in Chicago in June. Weʼve booking up our summer shows
right now –
Rock Cafe in Chicago in June. Weʼve booking up our summer shows
right now –
weʼre
excited to hit the road this summer.
excited to hit the road this summer.
Q:
How does Kelli handle this with school?
How does Kelli handle this with school?
A:
(Kelli) Well, Iʼm a sophomore at Westside High School here in Omaha,
and right now
(Kelli) Well, Iʼm a sophomore at Westside High School here in Omaha,
and right now
Iʼm
still able to juggle everything and to go regular school. I have a
lot of support from
still able to juggle everything and to go regular school. I have a
lot of support from
my
friends and teachers – my favorite moment so far was when my friends
showed up to
friends and teachers – my favorite moment so far was when my friends
showed up to
Red
Sky Music Festival with signs – Iʼm very blessed to have really good
friends.
Sky Music Festival with signs – Iʼm very blessed to have really good
friends.
Q:
How can people find Belles & Whistles on the web?
How can people find Belles & Whistles on the web?
A:
(Jaymie) Our website is www.bellesandwhistlesmusic.com,
from there you can link to
(Jaymie) Our website is www.bellesandwhistlesmusic.com,
from there you can link to
our
Facebook page, Twitter (we each have our own Twitter),YouTube and
Tour page.
Facebook page, Twitter (we each have our own Twitter),YouTube and
Tour page.
Our
LP is up on iTunes – the link is:
https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/belles-whistles/
LP is up on iTunes – the link is:
https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/belles-whistles/
id578428843
Q:
What is the most enjoyable thing of being part of Belles &
Whistles?
What is the most enjoyable thing of being part of Belles &
Whistles?
A:
(Jaymie) From my perspective, I love being able to share what I know
and love with
(Jaymie) From my perspective, I love being able to share what I know
and love with
my
daughter. I think there is something comforting in hearing a mother
and daughter
daughter. I think there is something comforting in hearing a mother
and daughter
sing
together – it feels like family. I think we connect with people on
that deeper level.
together – it feels like family. I think we connect with people on
that deeper level.
(Kelli)
I love to play live, and there are a lot of girls that identify with
me and our music. I
I love to play live, and there are a lot of girls that identify with
me and our music. I
think
we are like the bonding of two generations, and we have fun and
harmonize and
we are like the bonding of two generations, and we have fun and
harmonize and
write
about life together. We work really hard, but we have a common dream,
and I
about life together. We work really hard, but we have a common dream,
and I
hope
we inspire other girls, of all ages, to go for their dreams.
we inspire other girls, of all ages, to go for their dreams.
Christian
Lamitschka ( CountryMusicNewsInternational@googlemail.com
)
Lamitschka ( CountryMusicNewsInternational@googlemail.com
)