Geelong-based singer and songwriter BELLA DEER unveils Black Dots, her first new music since 2024’s Age of Alchemy. A powerful statement, the single pairs Bella’s commanding, soulful vocal performance with rich instrumentation and a grand, cinematic sound, marking a bold new chapter for the project.
Black Dots uses the metaphor of connecting the dots of your life, following society’s expected path, ticking off milestones and constantly striving towards the next goal. But it questions whether following these rules actually leads to fulfilment. Instead, the song encourages finding your own path. “I think following and connecting your own ‘black dots’ and having your own expectations of yourself are far more important”.
The single marks a new direction for BELLA DEER, representing a shift in sound and a more collaborative approach with her band and wider creative team. Following a period of burnout at the end of 2024, Bella took time to reconnect and recover before returning to music. “You can’t make good art from a spiritually and physically empty tank.” The recording of Black Dots allowed the band to contribute more deeply than on previous releases, reflecting her belief that the Bella Deer project can take many forms.
While both a songwriter and singer, Bella is first and foremost a pianist, and this informs a large part of her identity as a musician. Her music is driven by storytelling, lyrical depth and a distinctly personal approach to songwriting. The project began in 2022 with debut single Bloom, following years of performing, writing and recording with other bands under different names. Since then, BELLA DEER has evolved into the project she envisioned, with the flexibility to move between solo, duo and full-band performances.
The track was recorded in the band’s home studio in Geelong, produced by Simon In’t Hout (bass), Josh Walker (guitar), and new drummer Ben Skeggs. The lyrics and vocal melody were written by Bella, with Lachlan Mitchell (The Jezabels) handling the mix and Andrew Edgson (Matt Corby, Amy Shark) on mastering.
Bella’s songwriting has received international recognition, with her single Care Too Much named a finalist in the
APRA AMCOS Vanda & Young Global Songwriting Competition and receiving an Honourable Mention in the International Songwriting Competition, while Shipwreck Coast was named a Semi-Finalist. Her international performance history includes a 2023 performance in Seoul, South Korea, followed by representing Australia at the 2024 Ferrara International Buskers Festival in Emilia-Romagna, Italy.
With thanks to Wild Gift PR
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