INTERVIEW: BELLA GALASSO: BREAKING FREE
The story of how this interview came about has to be one of my favourite stories of the year. It's funny how one Instagram message can have such a positive impact on someone's life. In this specific story, that someone is me. October 15, 2025: I open my Instagram blog account and see a user named @extentedmegs has sent me a DM. The person in question is a director of public relations and marketing management. The content of the message? Meg said she loves the work I do for Montreal artists. She was asking me if I would be interested in interviewing two artists she's working with: Bella Galasso and Theo Day. Guess what? Meg also wanted to invite me to the show where the two artists in question were going to play the following month. When I say "invited", it meant I was going to be on the guest list. You have no clue how cool and professional I felt at that moment. Guess what? Yes...I'm asking you to guess again. More artists have reached out to me since then. No one owes me anything, but it feels incredibly rewarding to see all of my hard work pay off. Enough about me! You're here to learn about an incredibly talented Montreal Folk artist named Bella Galasso. Thank you, Meg, for the wonderful opportunity! Thank you, Bella, for this conversation. To all of you reading this, enjoy!
You covered "Living Room" by Tegan and Sara. Why and how did you choose that specific track from them? What drew you to it?
I don't know Tegan and Sara as much as it might seem. I knew of them growing up a little bit. The song suggestion was from my bassist. Him and his sister (who were my drummer at the time) were huge fans of Tegan and Sara growing up. We were looking for covers and my bassist Emily was like: "You're going to like this!" I heard it "Oh, I like this!" I just thought it was a great song. I love the arrangement. We found a live version that they did. It was a heavier version. That's what we leaned towards. It ended up being one of my favourites to perform.
Are you thinking of covering any more songs in the near future?
I always like to have one cover song on a set, typically more if I have a longer set. In the past, I covered a Lights song. I have done "Silk Chiffon" by Muna. I also covered "Dylan Thomas" by Better Oblivion Community Center, another Phoebe Bridgers project. I tend to go for whatever I'm enjoying. I have been covering "The Subway" by Chappell Roan lately. I just like to take songs that seem like they wouldn't really be my style and make them my style.
The cover in question
On "Fall Asleep with the Moon" you sing: "If I'm alive, then I'm alright" which I think is a line that will stick with listeners. What line from a song has stuck with you over the years? (Something you wrote or something from another artist)
"Fall Asleep with the Moon" comes from an EP that was really personal in a lot of ways. It was one of the first times I was truly vulnerable. I would pick a line from the last song on that EP. On the track "Most Days", I say: "Let my fears take away my friendships. Let my emotions run me like a child". I have always really liked that line because it's a feeling I tend to have a lot. That song is about me being the reason why things fall apart essentially, sabotaging my own life. That song and line really hit home for me.
There is a line in a Bob Dylan song called "Simple Twist of Fate" that I really love where he says: "She was born in spring but I was born too late." It's one of my favourite lines and I don't really know why. I don't even know what it means. It makes me a bit emotional.
You mention Montreal on that very same song. How important was it to mention Montreal and not any other cities such New York or L.A?
It's funny I don't even remember why I decided to go that way. When I write about something more personal experiences, I never want to write something that feels not real to me. It made sense to me to mention Montreal because this is everything I have known my whole life. It felt like it connected to the song because it's such a personal one. It was very important to make sure it felt rooted in reality for me.
The music video for "Fall Asleep with the Moon"
Having opened for Bon Jovi with your former band, as a solo act, who would you like to open for?
It would be a dream to play at Mtelus or the Bell Centre again. I would love to open for people like Phoebe Bridgers, Gracie Abrams; artists that I feel would fit my vibe and inspire me. Any female songwriter would be a dream.
Are there any artists who don't necessarily fit your vibe you would like to open for?
I would probably say Lights. The creativity in her art is so strong and so obviously her. It's such an inspiration. Her music is very Electronic, very Pop. That would be sick.
Have you been a fan of Lights for a long time?
Very long time. The first time I saw her I think I was 13. It was during the "Siberia" tour.
Was she your first concert?
No, my first concert was the Jonas Brothers. I was 9 years old. I went with my parents and my brother.
Was the rest of the family also fans or were they like "Get us out of here!"?
I think they were sort of like "Get us out of here." Especially my brother. In hindsight, I think he was like: "Actually, that was sick!" A 10-year old who was not into it at the time.
In the past, you mentioned "A Little Longer" being your favourite song of yours. Is it still your favourite song right now?
As far as released music goes, "The Cult" is definitely my favourite now. I'm very proud of that song. I have been since I started playing it live a year ago. Every time I played it, it always got a specific positive response. That response made me feel good and validated. I also have some new favourites that aren't released yet.
Besides the positive reaction, what is it about "The Cult" that makes it your current favourite?
I can really see the progression in my songwriting. That's why I always feel like whatever newest I've written tends to be my favourite. It feels like the most updated version of myself. It's been two years since I wrote "The Cult" but I do love the lyrics.
Your latest release "The Cult" has some powerful lyrics. What's the inspiration/the story behind those lyrics?
It's an exaggeration of real events. That's the way I tend to make songs. It's about a friendship falling out. I felt a little bit under somebody's thumb. I felt not appreciated or treated well. The song is me breaking free from that situation and dynamic. It's therapeutic. I was having a hard time letting go of the situation.
How was shooting the music video for "The Cult"?
Shooting the music video was fun! I conceptualized the music video with two people; my friend Steven who filmed my other two music videos. Those were done just with him. This time around, I was looking for a bit more direction. I really wanted to act and try to give a more emotional performance. I have this friend Kit who went to school for theater. They put on plays. They are a great actor and creative overall. We did rehearsals multiple times a week leading up. We planned the three versions of myself I was going to be acting out. We shot it in my dining room, in my family home. It doesn't look like my house but I swear it's just a house. I thrifted all of the things that are in the video. I just tried to act the best I could and this is what came out.
The music video for "The Cult"
Would you say shooting music videos is a generally fun experience for you?
Yes, it's really fun! I would say the hardest part is to come up with a concept and being able to put it together with limited space and resources because I have been working independently. The actual making of it is so fun and rewarding! It's so nice to have visuals for my music. I used to watch the MuchMusic countdown. I love music videos. It's something I knew I always wanted to do.
Have you watched the music video for "The Cult" many times?
I watched it many times during the editing process. Since it's been out, I have seen it a couple of times. I tend to be like that with a lot of my projects, once it's out, I slow down on how much I consume it. It's too late, I cannot change it.
How do you feel when you watch yourself?
I have a hard time watching myself. Over the years, I have gotten used to listening to myself. Music is a little more digestible in general now. Watching myself act is going to take a long time. I don't think I can act. I don't think it's one of my talents. I'm proud of what I did but I cannot watch it.
Ever since you started performing under your own name, what has been your favourite you've played so far?
I would say my very first show. I did at MAI/SON, this small DIY venue. It was my first show back in 2-3 years. It was my first time playing with my new band. All of my friends and family came out. It can be hard to get people to come to shows. It was a very community centered show. More recently, playing at Petit Campus with another local artist Anna Justen for her album launch was really fun. It was the biggest crowd we performed in front of since starting playing together. Petit Campus is such a cool venue. That was a special night!
You mentioned performing at MAI/SON. Do you get more nervous performing at smaller, more intimate shows or bigger shows?
When I used to perform with my band, I almost never got nervous. I don't really know why. I remember the feeling of being at the Bell Centre and the only time I got nervous was when they were walking us to the stage. "Oh, I'm about to do that." It was scary but smaller shows have been harder for me in terms of nerves especially when I can see everyone's faces. I did an even smaller show. It was an apartment show. I could see everybody's faces right there sitting in front of me. I was sweating. That was scary.
Are you the kind of performer who notices people's reactions or do you simply focus on playing the songs?
I'm looking at the walls. I can't take in what people's reactions are while I'm singing or else I'm going to overthink it. The overthinker and anxiety in me would take over for sure.
They have a song together called "In My Veins". Photo taken by me (Ariane/MusicBreather)
Your favourite music store as a kid was HMV. Can you share some of the memories you created there? (first album you picked up)
I wish I could remember the first album I have ever bought. I do have a lot of memories. When I was 15, I had just met my band and started playing with them (a lot of them are still my closest friends) and were Punk music fans at the time. I bought a bunch of blink-182 albums. I remember the type of days where after school, I would browse and buy the CDs that were on sale.
Do you still have your CDs? Do you play them?
I still have them! I try to play them. When I had this car, a 2006 Mazda, I was able to put my CDs in. I had some random ones, real throwbacks. Some One Directions albums, Green Day.
What's your favourite album you own (whether it's the music itself, the artwork)?
I would probably have to say all of my old Taylor Swift albums. They were bought in real time. Her debut, "Fearless", "Speak Now", and "Red. That's probably what I was spinning the most at the time.
You expressed enjoying funny/light-hearted songs as well as more serious songs. Can you give me an example of a funny/light-hearted song you really enjoy? What about a more serious track?
I absolutely love Chappell Roan. She does have more emotional, heartfelt songs but a lot of it is that fun, Pop, dancing vibe. It's totally important and as great as any other song. Sabrina Carpenter; cheeky, fun. I love Charli XCX. I love a good song to dance to. I don't often need it to be too serious. I also love Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell. It's suddenly more poetic and it's about politics. It's all artistic and important.
If I'm being honest, I sometimes struggle to come up with a conclusion. However, one of my best friends made me realize how much introductions and conclusions matter. Deep down, I know they're important, but it is unbelievably nice to be reminded. That same amazing friend compared my introductions and conclusions to plushies, meaning they're comforting. So here is a comforting (hopefully) conclusion for you. Whether you have been on this journey with me since the very beginning, you hopped on the train during this past year, or today is your first time, thank you! Every click, like, comment, and message of encouragement means more than you will ever know. Once again, thank you, Meg, for caring about my work and giving me a chance. Last but not least, thank you, Bella, for this conversation. I cannot wait to see and hear what she does next. This is my second-to-last publication of the year. Keep your eyes peeled for my interview with Theo Day on Friday. If this is the last time I see you here before the holidays, Happy holidays!!!! Take care of yourself! The world needs you!
Your favourite interviewer/discovery of the year,
Ariane
LINKS TO FURTHER DISCOVER AND SUPPORT BELLA
Good Job and Bella rocks!
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