North Carolina duo Violet Bell’s self-released debut, Honey In My Heart, is out today—listen here and purchase here.
In support of the album, they will kick off their 16-city tour with a release date show at Cat’s Cradle in Carrboro, NC. A full list of dates is below. Recorded at Fidelitorium in Kernersville, NC, with co-producer Jason Richmond (Avett Brothers, Steep Canyon Rangers, Don Flemons, Bombadil), the album was recorded mostly live, without vocal tuning, isolation or click tracks. Featuring 11 original compositions, the album explores all the emotions comprising the worthwhile chaos of the human experience. From “Summer Skin,” a playful poke at bro-country and a reminder to wear sunscreen, to “Howl,” which brings focus to modern motherhood to “Swimming Towards Sharks” that takes rape culture by the horns, the album’s “a mashup of classical, soul, bluegrass, jazz, old-time and blues that floats effortlessly” (Greensboro News & Record).
Previously released album tracks include “Howl,” which Refinery29 featured as ‘New Music To Know’ and “Juliana,” which premiered at The Bluegrass Situation.
Formed in 2016, the duo have performed over 300 shows resulting in a strong onstage chemistry that is “fiery, intimate and intuitive” (Pine Cone Radio). They released their debut EP, Dream the Wheel, in 2017. Prior to forming Violet Bell, Ross fronted The Lizzy Ross Band from 2009-2016. Ruiz-Lopez, a multi-instrumentalist who studied violin, viola and cello, moved to North Carolina after hearing bluegrass for the first time while in college. “It changed my life, made me want to get more into roots, traditional styles of music as opposed to just classical,” Ruiz-Lopez recently told the Greensboro News & Record.