The Bellbirds (New Zealand)
Formed in mid-2009, The Bellbirds features four of New Zealand’s top musicians – Sean Donnelly (SJD), Don McGlashan, Sandy Mill and Victoria Kelly.
Described as 'a baroque '60s pop sensibility with bitter-sweet lyrics, the group presents songs and vocals in a stripped back setting as a way of making sure lyrics and melodies didn’t get lost behind noisy instrumentation.
At the moment Sean writes most of the songs and is trying to make them simple, honest and direct. The default musical setting is two acoustic guitars plus piano with occasional touches of brass, organ and percussion.
The jewel in the crown here is the soulful, emotional voice of Sandy Mill. The diamond-studded sceptre is Victoria Kelly’s spellbinding voice and keyboards. The throne itself: Don McGlashan’s powerful vocal and instrumental presence. And finally the very royal haemorrhoid cushion of Sean Donnelly’s mildly inept guitar and bass work stops the whole thing from becoming too slick and professional.