WHO

Photo by Lilly Creightmore

BELLS is an evolving ensemble led by folk singer/performance artist Kandice Holmes, born in south London based between similarly ancient lands of Dartmoor and Crete.

Her ‘prophetic folk’ storytelling takes inspiration from the wisdom of Psalms; millennia old songs that speak of hope despite the circumstance. A balm for the times set to experimental textures, from traditional folk, medieval drone to the psychedelic. The name is symbolic of a desire for their music to act as a clarion call. To speak truth to power, rally people together and raise up praise.

Past collaborations include ‘Gypsy Davey’ with Kikagaku Moyo (Sub Pop, 2020),  spoken word feature on Voka Gentle’s ‘DREAD/TKOE’ (2021), and demo ‘UNION,’ released on U.S. label Spinster Records’ mixtape, among artists including Lou Turner and Avey Tare (2023).

Her path has been non-linear, held in the wings of her own creative vision, due to a combination of chronic health and a trust in Divine timing. Nearing the end of a decade long creative pilgrimage; living in London, Berlin, L.A., off-grid in the Mojave desert, three Greek Islands and now nestled into deep Devon, BELLS is yet to record and share the sounds and stories shaped by the journey, yet possesses a fierce desire to facilitate live spaces for catharsis and encounter.