Siblings Jendayi and Gyasi have been playing music together for more than a decade, and the Austin-native band has been making their mark on the city’s music scene since 2008. Now, the two are 25 and 23 years old respectively and currently based in Brooklyn, NY. Pair Jendayi’s songwriting, lead vocals, and rhythm guitar skills with Gyasi’s drumming and backing vocals and you get a vibrant sound that NPR Music describes as “...an infectious Brit-flavored indie-pop confection, carried by clean sharp percussion, crystal clear vocals, and infectious lyrics." Charlie Belle finds musical influence among the Arctic Monkeys, Corinne Bailey Rae, and The Kooks, but the two are paving their own way; with Atwood Magazine doting they “craft a vibrant 'alterna-pop' sound that blends meaningful lyrics with infectious melodies.”
gyasi
Charlie Belle hit the industry with a bang with their breezy debut EP; Get To Know. The Guardian stated that the collection of songs “...makes melodic indie-pop feel like a viable option for the first time in eons.” Later that year, after signing with boutique NYC label Fanatic Records, Charlie Belle released their second EP, I Don’t Want To Be Alone, for which Billboard wrote that “Jendayi’s velvety vocals sound quite comfy in the headphones.” Afropunkacknowledged being “high key obsessed” with the band’s remix of their ultra-groovy song, “You Don’t Know Me”, calling the track “lyrically and structurally brilliant.”
Charlie Belle has successfully translated their catchy sounds into an even more intoxicating stage presence. On-stage the band is a cohesive 4-member unit that rounds out the groove their fans have come to love. They've amassed a large and loyal fanbase, honing their craft on historic stages such as Stubb’s BBQ, Antone’s, and The Mohawk, as well as many regional festivals. Charlie Belle has been playing unofficial showcases at South by Southwest (SXSW) since 2008. In 2016, they played their first official performance, graced the cover of The Austin Chronicle’s SXSW 2016 issue, and were invited to perform again in 2019. The band performed at Austin City Limits (ACL) Music Festival in 2012 and 2016, and shot an exclusive backstage performance with NPR Live Sessions after their ACL set in 2016. Charlie Belle is no stranger to tour life, either -- having played Deep Roots Festival outside of Atlanta and headlining shows in New York, Philadelphia, Chicago, Nashville, Memphis, and Melbourne Australia.
Over the years, Jendayi has dove deeper into her songwriting which resulted in the band’s self-released EP, Like I Love This. Produced by Matt Noveskey of Blue October, these songs call to mind alternative pop band The Cranberries and songstress Kate Nash and focus on stories of growth, loss, and change. Born Music notes that the new music is, “Brilliantly unique, and further hints at Charlie Belle’s musical maturity that’s been expanding ever since their 2015 debut.”
Charlie Belle, as WIRED says, “is armed with the most infectious kind of power-pop." With accolades like this and the talent to back it up, the band sits patiently at the cornerstone of a seasoned two-piece who also seem to just be getting started. As their raw talent and clear message continue to resonate with fans, and as they continue to grow in New York City, there seems to be no limit to where they can go.
Those blown away by the catchiness and thoughtfulness of Charlie Belle’s debut can look forward to new music by young adults who have now been doing this for half their lives, and the music speaks for itself. What was already great is even better: pop music that’s keenly aware of the moment in a way that only Jendayi and Gyasi can speak to. There’s truly something extra special that only comes when siblings create pop songs like only siblings can.
Afropunk has said it best, “this is definitely a band you want to know.”
