Anomie Belle

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Anomie Belle
AnomieBelle2009.jpg
Anomie Belle
Background information
Birth name Toby Campbell
Origin Seattle, Washington, U.S.
Genres Trip hop
Neo Soul
Electronica
Dream Pop
Instruments Vocals, Violin, Guitar, Synthesizer, Drums, electronics, bass, laptop, sampler, drum machine
Years active 2007–present
Website Official Site

Anomie Belle (an·o·me bel) is an American musician and artivist. Originally a classically trained violinist and songwriter from Portland, Anomie began recording her own music as a child. She has since worked as a musician and producer in Madrid, Glasgow, Amsterdam, New York, Buenos Aires, and London before moving to Seattle in 2006.[1] She is also active as a film composer.[2]

Anomie Belle is noted for provocative vocals/lyrics set to complex beats and layers of herself on strings, electric guitars, synths and other electronic instruments. Haunting melodies and experimental soundscapes transport listeners through the crowded nature of their modern minds and urban spaces. Her material grapples with issues ranging from suburban alienation to human spirituality, sexuality and critiques of corporate power.[3] She also highlights these issues by creating Culture Jams in collaboration with other artists, such as The Yes Men.[4] Anomie is openly queer[5] and throughout her work she blurs typical representations of sexuality.

Contents

History [edit]

Anomie Belle released her debut album Sleeping Patterns in November 2008.[6] In support of her debut release, Anomie embarked on a West Coast tour with Little Dragon and Manuok in 2008. Sleeping Patterns garnered further commercial success after the song How Can I Be Sure appeared in the Xbox 360 game Alan Wake.

Anomie Belle toured extensively in 2009, first with The Album Leaf and then with Tricky in the US and Canada. The live band features Anomie performing vocals, violin, electric guitar, keyboards, bass, drum machine, samplers and programming by looping herself live. Live drums were added prior to the tour with Tricky and are currently performed by Sean Lane, formerly of Fences. Later that same year, Anomie Belle added former Matt Pond PA cellist Dana Feder to the live band before touring with film composer Gustavo Santaolalla's band Bajofondo.

In 2010 Anomie again joined The Album Leaf and Sea Wolf for several dates on the West Coast. In addition to performing her own music she also joined The Album Leaf for their entire set.[7]

Anomie Belle's second album, The Crush released on September 13, 2011 and includes collaborations with Mr. Lif and Jon Auer of The Posies’.[8] Anomie followed-up The Crush with the Inky Drips and Machine EPs, featuring members of the Sneaker Pimps, Mr. Lif, Big Spider's Back and several remixes.[9] Trespassers William lead vocalist Anna-Lynne Williams has been featured as both a live and recorded guest vocalist. Hip Hop artist Mr. Lif and Anomie Belle have often collaborated on stage during their respective performances.[10]

In early 2012 Anomie Belle contributed vocals and production to several tracks on Eighty One, the latest album from Ninja Tune artist Yppah. Anomie toured in support of the album as a featured artist during live Yppah performances, performing on guitar, keys, violin and vocals in support of the album.

Discography [edit]

Albums [edit]

  • 2008 Sleeping Patterns
  • 2011 The Crush

Singles and EPs [edit]

  • 2011 How Can I Be Sure
  • 2011 Inky Drips
  • 2011 Machine
  • 2012 Picture Perfect (Japan only)

Appearances [edit]

Compilation appearances [edit]

TV, Film and Video Game uses [edit]

External links [edit]

Notes and references [edit]

  1. ^ Breeding, Ashley (November 19, 2008). "Musical Connections". Huntington Beach Independent. 
  2. ^ Burlingame, Chris (May 11, 2009). "Dark Material, a short documentary featuring a score by Anomie Belle, screens at SIFF". Three Imaginary Girls. 
  3. ^ Liu, Marian (October 28, 2008). The Seattle Times title=Anomie Belle brings politically conscious trip hop to the Tractor Sunday http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/musicnightlife/2008322260_zmus28dispatchanomie.html title=Anomie Belle brings politically conscious trip hop to the Tractor Sunday.  Missing or empty |title= (help)
  4. ^ Jarvis, Brooke (June 8, 2012). "Behind the Shell hoax". Salon Media Group. 
  5. ^ Shapiro, Gregg (October 21, 2011). "iMusic: Queer folk(s)". Baltimore Out Loud. 
  6. ^ Cusick, Dave (January 29, 2009). "Anomie Belle in studio performance and interview". Oregon Public Broadcasting. 
  7. ^ Senn, Chris (Feb 6, 2010). "The Album Leaf + Sea Wolf + Anomie Belle - Neumos". Melophobe. 
  8. ^ Kristek, Nicole (Sept 7, 2009). "Bumbershoot 2009". Melophobe. 
  9. ^ Foley, Jack (November 29, 2011). "Anomie Belle announces free track Slither from Machine EP". Indie London. 
  10. ^ Blodgett, Tom (Sept 5, 2009). "Anomie Belle w/ Mr. Lif @ Bumbershoot". Seattle Subsonic. 

Anti-corporate activism