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BELLA FISKE Syracuse’s newest singer-songwriter packs a punch. Words by Sophie Davis Photos by Bella Fiske
Setting up your dorm, trying dining hall food, attending your first classes, and... performing to a packed crowd at Mudpit’s first show of the school year. This is a somewhat comprehensive description of how Bella Fiske’s first two weeks of freshman year went. After years of gigging at Boston-area bars and open mic nights, Fiske was excited for similar opportunities to showcase her dreamy vocals and unflinchingly earnest lyricism, but had no idea of Syracuse’s bustling house show scene before she committed last year. “When I found out about it my brain basically exploded. It was the biggest, best surprise ever,” said Fiske, who found out more about live music at Syracuse after several Bandier students found her music and reached out to her over the summer. Since her first performance, Fiske has cemented herself as part of the D.I.Y. music community here. When asked about how she’s been able to manage acclimating to college with adjusting to her new local celebrity status, Fiske shared that “it’s been weird because I’ve definitely had a normal college experience, but all of a sudden people knew me and knew my name and I would be like ‘dude, I just got here.’” Fiske is quick to praise her role-models—from her original influences, Joni Mitchell and Sara Bareilles, to the local likes of Sammy Curcuru and Padma. When it comes to establishing her own name and brand for herself, it’s clear Fiske has given it a lot of thought. “I’m always thinking about how I’m going to differentiate myself from the sad girl with a guitar stereotype,” she said. “As I perform house shows
and do stuff like that, I realize I love a big, loud show and being bold with my music and production.” Fiske promises that on her next single, she’s learning to balance her soft, sad girl roots with the gritty exuberance house shows are known for. “It’s just about feeling desire and the inner battle that you’re finding with yourself and there’s no way to not want someone, which I feel like me and all my friends are experiencing.” Fiske finds a certain catharsis in experiencing the full range of her emotions, and sharing these experiences with others who are sure to relate. “Yes, we’re all sad, but we can scream about it every once in a while.”