Wren Bellette spent over a decade in bands, including Adelaide Americana outfit The Heggarties, and is now a solo artist, releasing her rich album This Love Will Die a few weeks ago.
The album’s strength comes from Bellette’s willingness to be open about her experiences – which include heartbreak – and her experience as an artist, using her voice as an instrument to convey extra layers of meaning in her lyrics.
While Bellette acknowledges that her songs are fundamentally her own, she also recognises the invaluable contributions of the musicians she works with. Our interview explores the balance between the songwriter’s vision and the collaborative process, where ideas are shared, arrangements are refined, and the final product emerges as a blend of individual and collective creativity. This output was not planned but evolved organically as Bellette recorded songs during the pandemic.
This Love Will Die
The album’s title, This Love Will Die, may initially appear gloomy, but Bellette reveals that it represents a deeper, more optimistic message. The title track serves as a reflection on the universal experience of heartbreak and the understanding that even the most painful of loves will eventually pass, paving the way for personal growth and healing.
Bellette also speaks candidly about the challenges of moving from being in a band to being a solo artist and exposing her personal narratives through her songwriting, a process that required her to overcome her initial hesitation and embrace the vulnerability inherent in going solo.
It was a great pleasure to speak to Bellette, who has much to say of interest about songwriting and craft – and especially the value of the editorial process in writing. She also discusses her journey of moving from writing in the third person to being more willing to write about her own experiences, which she sees as an important part of being a songwriter, using music as a way to be honest and speak to the listener’s experiences.
You can watch our chat on YouTube (above) or listen on the podcast. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
Listen to This Love Will Die on Apple Music
