Indie-pop artist BEL (Isabel Whelan) has spent the past few years quietly refining her voice, blending folk-inspired introspection with shimmering alt-pop sensibilities. Growing up in Clovis, California, as the youngest of five siblings, she was immersed in music from an early age—drawing inspiration from her Argentine mother’s favorite artists, from Joni Mitchell to Joan Baez, and cultivating a love for harmony and storytelling that would shape her artistic path. With her debut full-length album Holy Grail (released on October 17th via Nettwerk), BEL navigates the highs and lows of pursuing a dream, creating an album that balances hope, vulnerability, and the unmistakable thrill of finding her own voice.

We spoke with her about the songs, her creative process, and the world she’s built around this debut.

On Holy Grail

You’ve described Holy Grail as an “archive of hopes, dreams, joys, sorrows, and self-reflections.” Which track feels the most personal to you, and why?
Definitely the title track. It’s kind of the core of the album. I wrote it at a time when I was really uncertain about doing music and wasn’t sure if it was a viable career path for me. The main theme of Holy Grail is hope, and this “holy grail” is this feeling of something out of reach that you’re always on a quest for—searching for a romantic partner, stability, a career. When I went on my first tour and played it live, I could feel the emotion from the audience. It’s a song I really wanted to make special and build a world around.

The album pairs with a visual world inspired by childhood dreams. Can you describe those visuals?
My set design is very theatrical—I get scrappy and hands-on. I like creating a space that feels like a physical extension of the songs, almost like stepping into a memory or a dream I’ve been carrying since I was a kid.

How has your relationship with the title track changed since you wrote it?
When I wrote it, no one was paying attention. Now performing it, it feels like the song has a life of its own. So much has changed over the past three years, and it feels like I’ve manifested some of what I was chasing.

What was it like working with your producer, Jason Vance Harris on this project?
It was magical. We have this creative chemistry that immediately made sense. We wrote “Only Want You” and “Fresh Start” together. Jason pushed me to explore textures and ideas I hadn’t tried before, while giving me the space to make it my own. There were many moments when we’d say the same idea at the same time—it was very collaborative.

On Identity & Influence

You switch between English and Spanish in your music. What does using Spanglish allow you to express?
It’s always been a part of me. Growing up bilingual in a household with my Argentine mom, I knew it would be a natural part of my songwriting. It connects me to my roots and adds another layer of intimacy in the lyrics.

Who were your biggest influences when you first started writing music, and who inspires you now?
I grew up on Fleetwood Mac, Sheryl Crow, Joni Mitchell, Joan Baez, and the Beatles. I loved alt and pop too—Green Day, Vampire Weekend, and my first idol, Kelly Clarkson. I’ve always loved the juxtaposition of catchy melodies with emotional lyrics. Now, I draw inspiration from artists like Wolf Alice and Julia Jacklin.

How do you see your sound fitting into the alt-pop space, and what do you feel is distinctively your own?
I think my strength is in vulnerable, introspective lyrics, harmonies, and interesting textures. I’m always thinking about how a song will feel live, how it will connect. I want every song to have something unique.

On Storytelling & Performance

Are there any songs that surprised you while writing?
“Parachute” was like that. The original was slower and longer. When we sped it up and reworked verses, it took on a new life. It’s an example of how songs evolve in the studio—it’s all about trusting the process.

What can fans expect from your live shows?
My live shows are immersive. At my latest NYC show, I could feel the audience connecting with the music in real-time. I love creating a space where the songs live beyond the recording.

On Process & Future

What was the hardest part of putting together a debut LP?
Choosing the right songs. I had a lot of demos that didn’t fit the world I wanted to create. I wanted a debut that had a through-line—don’t give up, have hope, keep going. Jason and I sat with a whiteboard to figure out the order and flow.

Beyond Holy Grail, what’s next for you?
This year has been all about promoting the album, but I’ve started writing again and picking up the guitar. It’s always scary to put out work you’re proud of and wonder if you’ll write something as good again—but things are taking shape, and I’m excited for what comes next.

With Holy Grail, BEL offers more than a collection of songs—she presents a world, a feeling, and a testament to persistence. Her debut stands as both a milestone and a promise: she is just beginning to chart her own path in alt-pop, with the courage to follow her instincts and the artistry to make listeners feel every step of the journey.

Words: Kassi Reyna

Photography: Morgan Winston