Bela profile picture

Bela

About Me

Foreboding and somber like a Bela Lugosi movie, but with a musical aesthetic more in line with Béla Bartók, critics have long spun superlatives that point to this band's chosen namesakes. The comparisons are apt, though, as Bela's music is foreboding and cryptic, yet lush and sweeping, in ways that unite the disparate influences. Having formed in 1997 from the leftovers of New York City's Cultural Exhaust, lead singer and songwriter Jeff Hogan and drummer Fred Pisciotta (both "featured zombies" in a George Romero film, incidentally) would recruit bassist Mauro Felipe and former Rasputina cellist Julia Kent. After signing to Mother West, their debut EP Exit Music was an unexpected sensation in Belarus and Germany, garnering accolades throughout Eastern Europe. By April 2000, their debut full-length, Til Summer Ends, arrived, finding similarly favorable reviews. ~ Matt Fink, All Music Guide

My Interests

Music:

Member Since: 2/14/2007
Band Website: motherwest.com
Band Members: Jeff Hogan: Vocals & Guitars Fred Pisciotta: Drums Mauro Felipe: Bass Julia Kent: Cello
Sounds Like: At once fluid, atmospheric, and haunting, Bela's full length debut comes across as a resurrected Kurt Cobain fronting Yo La Tengo as they cover a batch of Elliott Smith songs. Given the grunge roots of lead singer Jeff Hogan, formerly of Cultural Exhaust, it comes as little surprise that many of the tracks approach the masked tension and brooding honesty associated with that genre. Even so, there is a more graceful, at times almost classical, pop sensibility here, due in large part to the dynamic use of cello. With the beautifully sweeping strings of "Graduation Day," the full-bodied tuneful pop of "Love Lane," and the forceful marching drums of "For Those in Need," a new pop aesthetic is approached. Where the quirky "The Happy Bomb" brings to mind the simple pristine malleability of Yo La Tengo, Bela seems to have little interest in creating a similar artful dissonance. Still, Julia Kent, of Rasputina fame, occasionally uses the cello in ways similar to that of John Cale's viola, at times finding a screeching Velvet Underground spirit. However cohesive the musical vision remains throughout the 15 songs here, certain tracks, with the '60's spy movie feel of "Back in the Strip," almost resemble the strange Gregorian chant quality of the Yardbirds' more ambitious pop material. In the end, the unconventional and uncompromising sound most resembles a form of gothic chamber pop that is undeniably depressed, though certainly not depressing. If only all grunge had evolved into such a wonderful mutation. ~ Matt Fink, All Music Guide
Record Label: Motherwest
Type of Label: None

My Blog

New CD

To my friends thanks for your orders that was "FAST" the 1000 limited bonus art works are now  gone. I hope you like them and you will recieve them when the cd is released. Thanks, Bela...
Posted by Bela on Mon, 24 Mar 2008 12:17:00 PST

New CD

To my friends thanks for your orders that was "FAST" the 1000 limited bonus art works are now  gone. I hope you like them and you will recieve them when the cd is released. Thanks, Bela...
Posted by Bela on Mon, 24 Mar 2008 12:16:00 PST

New Bela cd

The long awaited follow up cd of  ’Til Summer Ends will soon be available. Contact me here. Advanced orders will include a limited signed artwork. Thanks, BELA
Posted by Bela on Thu, 20 Mar 2008 12:36:00 PST

New Bela Music on Vadim Music

Hey friends I have been getting the new mixes from DJ Farappo and Minimatic and they sound great!!! I look forward to ther release on Vadim Music. Cheers!!! Bela
Posted by Bela on Thu, 06 Mar 2008 10:00:00 PST

Bela cd’s

Bela cds are now available at Siren Records Doylestown, Pa.
Posted by Bela on Fri, 08 Feb 2008 02:59:00 PST

WEHM .FM Radio

Bela would like to thank WEHM .FM for playing "Starbuck Cowboy" the California mix from the upcoming release. Cheers!!!! Bela
Posted by Bela on Fri, 28 Dec 2007 09:05:00 PST

New release on Vadim Music!!!!!

Bela is proud to announce it's upcomming release on Vadim music.com with mixes by DJ Farrapo and Minimatic!!!!!!
Posted by Bela on Thu, 06 Dec 2007 10:29:00 PST

Bela Ringtones

Buy Bela ringtones at www.groupietunes.com/artists/belaac3
Posted by Bela on Mon, 10 Sep 2007 07:32:00 PST

'Til summer ends

Checkout 'Til summer ends. By Bela before it's to late!!
Posted by Bela on Mon, 04 Jun 2007 01:16:00 PST

Bela's Music is avalible on i tunes

BUY BELA ON I TUNES and CDbaby!
Posted by Bela on Tue, 27 Mar 2007 10:36:00 PST