Advertisement

Music

Wavelength Festival Spotlight: Saturday February 14

DEL BEL with LOWELL, THE ACORN, LAST EX and GINLA as part of the Wavelength Music Festival at Polish Combatants Hall (206 Beverley), Saturday (February 14), 8 pm, all ages. $15-$18, festival pass $33. rotate.com, soundscapesmusic.comticketfly.com


Del Bel’s finely and eerily orchestrated music has been described as “pop noir,” “David Lynchian” and “Canadian gothic.” Some have also thrown “jazz” into the mix, due to singer Lisa Conway’s sultry, sophisticated vocals.

It’s a surprise, then, to learn that Del Bel mastermind Tyler Belluz’s primary musical influence has been hip-hop. Over beer at a Parkdale dive bar, he explains that he listened to it non-stop from the time he was in grade 8 to the end of university, and often beat-boxes alone in his car.

“A lot of my influences are repetitive, where the bass carries the movement of the song,” he says. “I think that’s more apparent on this new album. It’s definitely not trip-hop, but it’s in that vein. I like to say we’re almost like a band version of trip-hop without the electronic element.”

Belluz grew up in the suburbs of Toronto but moved to Guelph two years ago, where he teaches double bass and keyboards and runs the indie record label Missed Connection with Mike Brooks, his bandmate in both Del Bel and surf rockers Legato Vipers. Del Bel’s self-titled new album is a follow-up to 2011’s Oneiric, and was finished in 2013. Conway temporarily moved to Ireland for a master’s in sonic arts, causing its release to be delayed.

Five or six members make up the live band, and over 14 – including members of Bruce Peninsula – played everything from electric mandolin to baritone sax on the record. Yet softness, spareness and spaciousness are the music’s hallmarks. 

Belluz attributes the gothic aspect to a period of depression several years ago, when an injury derailed his career as an orchestral musician. 

“I tried to fight it, but to this day I can’t beat [the injury],” the upbeat Belluz explains. “I had to move back to my parents’ house, and it was a very depressing phase. It was at that point that I started to create music. Up until then I’d always played someone else’s. I never knew it was in me.”

Belluz describes Oneiric as a collage of an album, whereas the new one has a more cohesive sonic theme, over which Conway layered lonesome lyrics and gorgeous melodies. Releasing it as part of independent music series Wavelength’s extensive 15th anniversary festival has special meaning for him. 

“Wavelength are our mentors. They’ve helped us over the years to book incredible shows in and outside of Toronto. We even did a tour together. 

“Jonny [Dovercourt] and everyone else impressed me so much from the get-go that I never want to work with any another music series.” 3

carlag@nowtoronto.com | @carlagillis

Advertisement

Exclusive content and events straight to your inbox

Subscribe to our Newsletter

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

By signing up, I agree to receive emails from Now Toronto and to the Privacy Policy and Terms & Conditions.

Recently Posted