BIO:
Raised in the small farming community of Fosston, Saskatchewan, Belle Plaine's distinctive sound draws from her musical background: twelve years of classical vocal training, jazz and contemporary music study at Grant MacEwan College, and a history of live performance stretching back to her childhood.
Her singular and
textured voice lends itself to various styles of music, from classic country to
1940s swing. Belle’s genre-blending songs mix clear-eyed observations
with sparse poetry and emotional honesty. She has an ability to
meaningfully connect with her audience, putting them at ease with her calm and
earnest demeanor.
Belle’s first
full-length effort, Notes From A Waitress (2012), offers a collection of
blue-collar themed jazz originals. Her romanticized tales of a loose
cannon world traveler deliver slice-of-life lyrics sung in the sultry fashion
of Peggy Lee. To showcase her country roots, she teamed up with Blake Berglund on a double-single project that was released on a gold 7" vinyl, entitled Town To Town / Saskatchewan (2015). The album showcased the writing of their prairie colleague Zachary Lucky. In March 2016 she released a live album with her
seven-piece band called The Unrequited Love. She is currently in production of her follow-up
album, thanks to the support of the Saskatchewan Arts Board and Rawlco Radio's Project 10K20.
If Patsy Cline and
Blossom Dearie had a love child she would sing like Belle Plaine. Belle’s voice
is old timey and jazzy. It has twang, crystal bells and swing. You listen to
this voice, and all of a sudden your cheatin’ heart has a very dry martini in hand,
and you’re hearing something both timeless and brand new.
- Kelley Jo Burke, CBC.
Available by request through belleplaine@belleplainemusic.com.
Penguin Eggs - I
thought Belle Plaine was a town in Saskatchewan. Turns out there’s two –
but this one (aka Melanie Hankewich) hails from Fosston, some 3 hours
north. And, judging from the full house present at this live recording,
recorded in Regina on Valentine’s Day, 2014, everybody knows about her
but me. Despite the peculiar-looking packaging (a lone, litho’d wolf
standing on a snowy highway), Belle Plaine (the singer) has an
all-encompassing range, favouring blues and jazz-based covers along with
her own well-crafted material, which openly embraces folk and country.
On this special night, she’s supported by a revolving cast of talented
friends who tastefully embellish her ideas with backup vocals,
keyboards, acoustic bass, drums, guitar, horns and accordion. Schooled
in jazz and recording, Plaine tripped on and off her musical path a few
times, arriving at the realization – in 2010 – that her greatest joy
comes from performing for an audience. This joy is remarkably audible on
The Unrequited Love – a two-part, 18-song performance. A little Billie,
a little Tom Waits, some Kristofferson and, best of all, her originals.
Of special note, a tribute written in her mother’s honour, “Frozen In
Obscurity”, touches nerves in its simple beauty. Above all, a warm,
charming stage manner and her insightful backgrounders to each song
makes for a most pleasant surprise.
BeatRoute - While most artists are content to merely offer up the songs, Belle Plaine take the concept a little further on The Unrequited Love, releasing the entire show, which showcases her charm as a performer in addition to her strengths as both a songwriter and vocalist.
Exclaim -"Crashing Through" is just a sampling of how the musicians sound when they fill the stage, weaving together elements of folk, country and jazz into a unique and totally captivating combination. Putting a twangy twist on traditional genres, Plaine and her crew are sure to win listeners over with their refreshing approach to an eclectic array of musical styles.
The Coast - Squint so the world goes a little blurry and you’d be forgiven for mistaking Belle Plaine’s vocal performance for something out of the ‘60s jazz scene.
Calgary Herald - She knows what she's doing, with an effortless, versatile style that can sound both girlish and husky in the same song.
Vue Weekly - Rising from the Saskatchewan prairies is a jazz-fueled, soulful voice able to silence the noisiest of crowds.
prairie dog magazine - I know you, Regina. You’ve been trying to play it cool, but I can tell you have a full-on crush on this album. Who could blame you? Since Notes From A Waitress came out in January, it has been a favourite on both CBC Saskatchewan and CJTR. And the rest of us have had it on high rotation in our homes and cars for months now. One listen is all you’ll need to know why: lyrically, it’s smart and funny, sad and soulful. Musically, it’s swingy, good humoured, a little salty, with just enough sultry to keep you riveted to your speakers.
Grey Owl Point - The title track is definitely one of the most interesting, detailing an all-too-true account of what it’s like working as a waitress.
Grant Lawrence, CBC - My Regina Folk Fest musical discovery of the weekend: lovely and talented singer named Belle Plaine from Fosston, SK!
Carolyn Mark - Belle Plaine is a national treasure - a true Canadian. She can sing like a hot-damn, was ready to leave on tour at a moment's notice and shot the shit out of a spoon with a BB gun from the 50 yard mark.
Regina Folk Festival - Belle Plaine has the voice of an angel and the on stage presence of a seasoned professional. When she opens her mouth the audience stops their chattering to listen - works every time. I would highly recommend her as a superb addition to any lineup or concert series.
Planet S - Notes From A Waitress (her debut full-length effort), has been given a resounding thumbs-up from fans accross the country as well. Featuring songs that range in style from jazz to country, Hankewich has managed to capture a sound that has its heart firmly rooted in the prairie fields and small towns where she grew up.
BeatRoute - While most artists are content to merely offer up the songs, Belle Plaine take the concept a little further on The Unrequited Love, releasing the entire show, which showcases her charm as a performer in addition to her strengths as both a songwriter and vocalist.
Exclaim -"Crashing Through" is just a sampling of how the musicians sound when they fill the stage, weaving together elements of folk, country and jazz into a unique and totally captivating combination. Putting a twangy twist on traditional genres, Plaine and her crew are sure to win listeners over with their refreshing approach to an eclectic array of musical styles.
The Coast - Squint so the world goes a little blurry and you’d be forgiven for mistaking Belle Plaine’s vocal performance for something out of the ‘60s jazz scene.
Calgary Herald - She knows what she's doing, with an effortless, versatile style that can sound both girlish and husky in the same song.
Vue Weekly - Rising from the Saskatchewan prairies is a jazz-fueled, soulful voice able to silence the noisiest of crowds.
prairie dog magazine - I know you, Regina. You’ve been trying to play it cool, but I can tell you have a full-on crush on this album. Who could blame you? Since Notes From A Waitress came out in January, it has been a favourite on both CBC Saskatchewan and CJTR. And the rest of us have had it on high rotation in our homes and cars for months now. One listen is all you’ll need to know why: lyrically, it’s smart and funny, sad and soulful. Musically, it’s swingy, good humoured, a little salty, with just enough sultry to keep you riveted to your speakers.
Grey Owl Point - The title track is definitely one of the most interesting, detailing an all-too-true account of what it’s like working as a waitress.
Grant Lawrence, CBC - My Regina Folk Fest musical discovery of the weekend: lovely and talented singer named Belle Plaine from Fosston, SK!
Carolyn Mark - Belle Plaine is a national treasure - a true Canadian. She can sing like a hot-damn, was ready to leave on tour at a moment's notice and shot the shit out of a spoon with a BB gun from the 50 yard mark.
Regina Folk Festival - Belle Plaine has the voice of an angel and the on stage presence of a seasoned professional. When she opens her mouth the audience stops their chattering to listen - works every time. I would highly recommend her as a superb addition to any lineup or concert series.
Planet S - Notes From A Waitress (her debut full-length effort), has been given a resounding thumbs-up from fans accross the country as well. Featuring songs that range in style from jazz to country, Hankewich has managed to capture a sound that has its heart firmly rooted in the prairie fields and small towns where she grew up.
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