Bellhead Exclusive interview and more about their release "Good Intentions"

Hello and welcome to Metal Music Midwest, first off, thanks for taking the time to do the interview, could you give our readers a brief description of the group? 

Two basses and a drum machine. No Guitar, No BS. MADE IN CHICAGO

Where is the band from? 

Karen: We’re based out of Chicago, Illinois 

What musical influence inspires the band's compositions?

Ivan: We listen to a lot of records on the road. Just recently we were listening to Lou Reed ‘Rock n’ Roll Animal’. There’s not one style of music that we draw influences on. You can hear everything from 1960’s teenage tragedy songs like ‘Leader of the Pack’ to modern pop music, lately we've been listening to a lot of the Swans, Godflesh and Devin Townsend to name a few.

The group started in 2019, can you tell us how did you meet?

Karen: Ivan and I were friends for quite a while. We actually played in the same band, just at different times. We both knew we were serious about music and due to a series of unfortunate events we both ended up being band-less at the same time. So during a Chicago blizzard, we got really drunk, passed out to ‘To Wong Foo, Thanks For Everything Julie Newmar’, and when we woke up we decided to form a band. 


The new EP title is ‘Good Intentions’, can you give us details about the content and more in depth meaning to this title?

Ivan: I pulled “Good Intentions” from our song “Unicorn Bones” lyrics “Like good intentions with broken glass She turned from pale to blue as death came so fast”. I enjoy the duality of “Good Intentions” being honest or potentially being more sinister. I like unreliable narrators. When there is a soul survivor of a ship wreck do you take him at his word? I wanted to go all in on song lyrics that were open to interpretation. Are the intentions truly good or is there something else unseen?

Each member of this project is part of another band, how do you maintain a  good balance working together?


Karen: Currently we are only both playing in Bellhead. We both get asked from time to time to help with other projects, but it’s only one-off shows or studio recording. 

The biggest key to a good working balance is communication. So many bands these days fail because the members are not responsive or don’t try to keep people informed. Ivan and I talk literally every day via messenger, have weekly phone calls, and practice once a week. No matter how insignificant a topic may seem, we will send FYI’s or quick messages. That way there’s no surprises along the way. 

Have you performed any shows in your area? if so, how receptive and supportive are the people to your music?

Ivan: 50+ shows since starting middle 2019. 20+ more this year. As a two piece we pack smart and travel light touring as much as is sensible. 

Are there any upcoming shows or tours you can tell us about?

Karen: We are on tour currently throughout the United States.

04/21/23 - Blockhouse Bar - Bloomington, IN - BELLHEAD (w/ Pilgrims of Yearning / Freeze Etch / DJ Plague MD)

04/22/23 - Mag Bar - Louisville, KY - BELLHEAD (w/ Star Guided Vessel / Village Elder / Gentleman Pig)

05/06/23 - LiveWire Lounge - Chicago, IL - BELLHEAD (w/ The Clay People / [melter])

05/07/23 - Mac’s Bar - Lansing, MI - BELLHEAD (w/ The Clay People / Zombie Apocalypse / No Skull)

05/08/23 - Black Circle Brewery - Indianapolis, IN - BELLHEAD (w/ The Clay People / Broken Nails)

05/09/23 - The Foundry - Lakewood, OH - BELLHEAD (w/ The Clay People / Bounded By Darkness / Temple Witch)

05/10/23 - The Runaway - Washington DC - BELLHEAD (w/ The Clay People / High Horse Cavalry / Raw Dawgs)

05/11/23 - Bar Freda - New York, NY - BELLHEAD (w/ The Clay People / The Amatory Murder / Chroma)

05/12/23 - Darq at Koto - Salem, MA - BELLHEAD (w/ The Clay People / Acheron)

05/13/23 - Harrisburg Midtown Arts Center - Harrisburg, PA - BELLHEAD (w/ The Amatory Murder / Faux Fear / Goth Goth / Sugar Hysteria)

05/14/23 - JuJu Bonz Records - Akron, OH - BELLHEAD (w/ Night Goat / Bonded By Darkness,Temple Witch)

05/26/23 - Reggie’s - Chicago, IL - BELLHEAD (w/ Night Club / Iron Years / Plasmata)

Thanks for your participation, finally, what is the best way to get a hold of the band, in case someone wants to book or promote the band? 

Karen: We’re on all social media platforms and you can get our music streaming or download on all music sites- but the easiest place to go is our website first: bellheadband.com

Any final words?

Don’t go chasing waterfalls

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