This album, How Do You See Me?, is beyond excellent! Best of year lists, definitely! This is how Portland should be represented. Kaitlin Bell’s voice has a “realness overtone” which sounds as if she is singing nothing but the truest truth. She also has a producer’s preternatural set of ears and has made perfect sonic choices to underline her keenly-written lyrics every time. This record could very easily be the start of something big. This soul-baring, coming-of-age work will be loved, discussed, and shared for a long time, perhaps decades, to come. – East Portland Blog
Kaitlin Bell will be appearing at The Waypost (3120 N. Williams) in Portland on August 27 at 8PM.
HOW DO YOU SEE ME?
Listen to album: https://linktr.ee/kaitlinkbell
On August 15th, Portland based singer-songwriter and producer, Kaitlin Bell, shares her second album How Do You See Me?. The album follows the release of two singles, “Willamette” and “Hurt Me.” The ultimate coming of age album explores identity and perception through 10 intimate and powerful tracks.
How Do You See Me? combines atmospheric folk and energetic rock to tell a story. Growing up, Bell’s songwriting teacher told her to pick one element and emphasize it. Bell’s element is storytelling. Through emotional lyrics, layered guitar tracks, and echoey vocals, Bell attempts to understand how other’s view her. The album discusses dating, commitment, trauma, pain, love, identity, gender, reminiscing, understanding, and forgetting.
At only 21 years old, Kaitlin Bell is completely immersed in the music industry. She has worked as the event coordinator and manager of the University of Portland radio station, worked as press at Treefort Music Festival, and she currently co-owns the cassette tape label, Pleasure Tapes, with her friend and founder of the label, Kayla Gold, and does PR for the Vienna-based music agency, ROLA, while still writing, recording, and producing her own music. Bell has performed in venues across the Pacific Northwest including Redmond Old Firehouse, Benaroya Hall, Western Washington University, University of Portland, Ardent Coffee, and The Waypost Bar, and has been featured on East Portland Blog, Left Future Wave, and Divide and Conquer. Left Future Wave writes, “We really like the way that Bell’s vocals bring emphasis to each line. They’re powerful and unique, and they work harmoniously with the accompanying acoustic guitar arrangement.”
Experience Bell’s compelling and dynamic storytelling in How Do You See Me? and confront the reality of growing up and questioning one’s identity. Bell says, “Releasing music filled with intense feelings and personal stories is terrifying, but I hope to connect with my listeners and experience the journey of life through music.”
