Grand Rapids’ Bello Spark debuted two new songs on the air, Ling hawked his Grand River Water Fest and the show premiered new tracks by The Gorgeous Oranges, Pink Sky and Barrel Bones.
Readying a New Album: Bello Spark, which plays SpeakEZ Lounge on Wednesday, debuted two new songs on the air. (Photo/Joe Hirschmugl)
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It’s safe to say Bello Spark has a wealth of original material ready to set loose on the public at large.
Not only have singers/guitarists Rob Jordan and Cole Hansen created a solid collection of new songs for the atmospheric Americana band’s next studio album, but Hansen is also set to record a new solo project.
On the Air: Rob Jordan and Cole Hansen performing during Local Spins on WYCE.
“These two in the last six months have been cranking out tunes left and right,” said lead guitarist Tory Peterson, who formed Bello Spark with Jordan in 2011. “I’m really excited about the new stuff that’s coming out.”
The band actually met Hansen at the CD-release show for its debut album and quickly moved in a new direction enhanced by the singer’s vocals and harmonies. Bello Spark released its sophomore album, “Among the Lights,” in 2016 and later added drummer Jay Kolk to the mix.
With Jordan wrapping up work on a new basement studio, the band is getting set to record its follow-up after further honing its sound. “We’re just continuing to refine that,” said Peterson.
Jordan, Hansen and Peterson demonstrated that refined sound in Studio X at WYCE 88.1 FM for the latest edition of Local Spins on WYCE, performing two new tunes, “Strange Days” and “You Are My Shelter,” on the air. Watch a video of their performance of “Strange Days” here, with the full radio show podcast below.
VIDEO: Bello Spark, “Strange Days” (Local Spins on WYCE)
The band plays SpeakEZ Lounge in Grand Rapids at 8 p.m. Wednesday (June 27) as part of the Local Spins Wednesdays series. Get more information about that here. Future performances include the Pour House in Ada on July 27 and Tip Top Deluxe Bar & Grill in Grand Rapids on Oct. 12, opening for Barrel Bones, a new Grand Rapids band that was also this week’s musicians’ pick by Bello Spark.
Tory Peterson
The June 22 episode of Local Spins on WYCE also featured an in-studio visit by multi-instrumentalist Bruce Ling of folk’s Hawks & Owls, who not only performed his original song, “Bald-Faced Hornet,” but who also is organizing the Grand River Water Festival that takes place from noon to 9 p.m. Saturday at Riverside Park in Grand Rapids. Nine bands and solo artists will perform, with speakers, environmental exhibits and more.
Read more about the festival and see a full schedule at Local Spins here: Grand River Water Festival set to celebrate conservation and music at Riverside Park.
This week’s Local Spins on WYCE podcast also featured the premiere of new tracks by The Gorgeous Oranges (formerly Wala Gum and NOT the Golden Oranges as a certain announcer erroneously back-announced), Pink Sky (aka, Ryan and Angelica Hay) and the aforementioned Barrel Bones (which features Michael Constantine, Greg Liceraga, Pete Dunning and Scott Garrison). The show also showcased music by Seth Bernard, Yolonda Lavender, Madcat Midnight Blues Journey and Diff & Didley (who play the Tip Top Deluxe Bar & Grill’s seventh anniversary celebration with Delilah DeWylde and The JetBeats on Saturday night).
PODCAST: Local Spins on WYCE (6/22/18)
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