An Exclusive Interview with Bella Rios
Written by: Keyali Mikaela
Today, we're sitting down with the dynamic and introspective Bella Rios, a multi-talented musician who's making waves with her powerful vocals and candid songwriting. From heartbreak anthems to anthemic pop punk tracks, Bella's music resonates with authenticity and emotion, reflecting her own journey through life's ups and downs.
In this exclusive interview, Bella opens up about the inspiration behind her latest single "Ever After," her evolution as an artist, and how she navigates the balancing act of being a student and a burgeoning musician. Join us as we delve into the world of Bella Rios, the rising pop punk Princess, and discover the passion and determination driving her musical journey.
Next Wave: Your new single, Ever After, seems like a very powerful breakup anthem. What inspired you to write the track?
Bella Rios: I wrote this song after my first big heartbreak. In those moments, you kind of feel like your world is crumbling; you wonder if you'll ever find better, at least those are the things that were going through my head after my first big heartbreak. I really needed a way to be angry, stop romanticizing what happened, and get over the situation. I thought the best way to do that was with a breakup song. So, I tried to write one and this is what came out.
Next Wave: How would you compare Ever After to your previous releases, both musically and thematically?
Bella Rios: I don't intentionally write about specific subjects. Of course, there are some that come up more frequently, like mental health, or breakups, because those are things that I'm experiencing and going through. But I think that, in general, all of my songs are just about whatever experiences and emotions are relevant to me at the time. So I would say, thematically it's the same, because I'm writing about what I'm feeling. Musically, though, when you listen to my other releases, it's different. It's more pop punk, a little less electronically produced, and a lot more vocal heavy.
I think that's, in part, due to the fact that as I've grown as an artist; I’ve learned more about what I prefer in my own projects. This is also the first project where I've really been able to confidently communicate to the people I'm working with exactly what I want, so that the entire vision of what I expected the song to sound like is realized.
Next Wave: Do you find over time that it’s become easier to make those decisions and write those types of themes within your music?
Bella Rios: I started off as a performer, as a cover artist. So, songwriting for my own voice and sound was initially a more vulnerable and challenging process. Now, though, it’s my go to form of expression and catharsis whenever I'm experiencing something like that, so certainly.
Next Wave: And so how do you find that being still in school, still being a little bit younger? How do you find being able to balance that and balance like your life and everything else that you have going on?
Bella Rios: It's really difficult, I won't lie. I'm kind of in a constant state of controlled chaos, but I would say it became easier in the last year or so, because of a revelation that I had. I always knew music was important to me. Before I was at college, it had always been one of my top priorities, the equivalent of my studies. When I went to college, I kind of let it fall to the wayside. I mean, it was still a part of my life, but it certainly wasn't as prevalent as it was my entire life before that.
Then I had a show in the second half of my sophomore year. It was the first time I had performed in a long time. After I got off stage, I was like, “Oh my gosh, I have been missing this. This is the reason I haven't been feeling 100% fulfilled with what I'm doing and where I'm at.” Ever since I had that realization, it's become much easier to say, “No, I need to make time for this. I need to do this for myself. This is a part of who I am, and I don't feel myself without it daily in my life.”
Next Wave: And on that topic, how have you found the music industry evolving? And how do you see yourself within that? What role do you think that you play?
Bella Rios: The music industry, I think, is becoming more artist centric, and also more accessible in that artists are becoming greater advocates for their own rights and ownership of their own music and craft. I also think it's become more accessible in that artists with no traditional music industry backing are able to start their own artists profiles on streaming platforms and put music out whenever. I think it is super liberating and exciting for musicians like me. In that space, I just want to take advantage of the fact that these changes are happening and are allowing artists like myself to be in complete control of their artistic vision and projects.
Next Wave: And do you think there are any kind of negatives that come with that?
Bella Rios: I mean, it's certainly difficult to stand out because there's simply so much more saturation in how much music and how many artists are available for consumption. So it’s definitely difficult just to stand out and make that first big break, but I think that not having to rely on the direction or support of typical industry giants is a freedom that I would gladly take over less competition.
Next Wave: As a musician, what do you hope that listeners take away from your music
Bella Rios: Music for me, and part of what has always made music special for me, is that it can be whatever I need it to be in that moment, based on what I'm experiencing and what I'm needing. I like that music’s subjectivity can do that. So, I hope that people who are listening to my music get whatever they need out of it in that moment, because that's what it does for me.
Next Wave: And so, going off of that, are there any artists or bands that have had a significant influence on you and your musical journey?
Bella Rios: Oh my God, there's like a plethora. I don't think I could make an enumerated list. I grew up in a very musical household. I mean, neither of my parents can sing or write, but they are major music lovers. I grew up listening to everything from Fleetwood Mac to Heart to Bruce Springsteen to Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons, and I'm constantly exploring music now. My biggest, more contemporary inspirations are probably Jon Bellion, Alessia Cara, Reneé Rapp, Olivia Rodrigo, Adele, P!nk. Anything I listen to inspires me in some way, even if I'm not cognizant of it. Everything that I take in influences my craft.
Next Wave: Are there any artists or genres that you haven't been able to explore yet in your music career, but would love to?
Bella Rios: I mean, I think there's always going to be things to be explored, genres and styles to try. I am totally willing and excited to try anything that moves me. Like I said, I'm constantly listening. So really, anything that connects with me, I'm willing to try. It doesn’t matter if it's country or opera or anything in between.
Next Wave: So you've been described as a rising pop punk Princess, how do you feel about the title? And how does it influence your musical style?
Bella Rios: I mean, I'm super, super flattered. I think I certainly identify with that label. Honestly, anyone who is listening to my music can call it whatever they want. Genuinely, I would just be happy if people hear it. And yes, I think it's representative of some of my music, but I also like to think that my music is as dynamic as I am as a person, so within my pop punk label, there's definitely some big belty piano ballads.
Next Wave: And so being a multi-instrumentalist, which instrument do you find yourself gravitating towards the most and which one helps you release your frustrations?
Bella Rios: I'm definitely, in general, most competent and comfortable on the piano, because I started playing that at the youngest age. It's the one instrument where I can sit down, start mindlessly playing something, and immediately write over it. I don't have to think about it. That being said, depending on my mood, I think that when I'm feeling sassy or angsty, I definitely go for the guitar. The music I listen to when I'm feeling that way is bass and guitar heavy, so if I'm trying to express that myself, it kind of naturally goes over a guitar line. When I'm feeling more sad or moody, or introspective, I definitely lean on the piano because again, those are the type of songs I listen to when I'm feeling that way.
Next Wave: Are there any instruments that you have been wanting to learn to play that you haven't gotten a chance to?
Bella Rios: I would love to learn a string instrument like the violin or the cello. The problem is, those are a little bit more difficult to pick up once you're older. Unlike a guitar, there's no frets, so you have to have the muscle memory to know where everything is. I think those are such beautiful, cool instruments that I would love to learn how to play. Honestly though, there's a million things I'd want to play. For whatever reason, I had a fixation in middle school with the trumpet, maybe it was just the fact that all the cutest guys in eighth grade were in the trumpet section of the band.
Next Wave: Your upcoming music has a little bit more attitude. Can you dive into how your sound has evolved and what experiences contributed to your kind of shift in style?
Bella Rios: I started as a cover artist and grew up listening to and loving so many different types of music, which is great, but it was also the source of a kind of identity crisis when I started writing for myself. I knew I loved to sing this style, I knew I could sing that style, but I was left thinking, do they feel authentic when I'm trying to write for myself? So I went through the process of trying to write nearly everything: from top lines over EDM loops to bluegrass country songs with an early Maggie Rogers vibe. Eventually, I realized that the things that I liked writing best and that felt most authentic to me were the type of songs that I liked performing the most. Those fell into two categories: songs that made me feel like a badass rocker and songs that allowed me to be really emotional and belt on the piano. Ever since then, I've been writing songs to those ends because performance is one of my favorite parts of music. Those types of songs do tend to be a little bit angstier, so it's been a natural progression.
Stream “Ever After” here