Bellhops |
Introducing the Bellhops
photo by Darline Morales
Taylor Scott founded the Bellhops in 2013 in Madison, Wisconsin. The ensemble began as platform for women-identified songwriters,
musicians, spoken word artists, and visual artists to showcase their work, providing workshops,
rehearsal space, and musical accompaniment. Many of the writers in the Bellhops are students in the First
Wave program, the only collegiate, hip-hop theatre ensemble and learning community of its kind in the
country. Today, the Bellhops serve as a safe space for a host of individuals from varying backgrounds;
however, it is our main mission to bring forth the voices of those marginalized at the intersections of race,
sexuality, and gender.
Our music is grounded in black musical traditions that make explicit the impact of oppressive institutions. The music we make bears the name of the blues for its lyrical sentiments; however, elements of funk, jazz, and other art forms such as spoken word poetry are evoked as well. Blues music captures everyday themes of life including love lost, drug use, jail, poverty, and sex. The everyday experiences of black people (past or present) prove insightful to understanding blacks and their relationship to power, both their [non] ability to access power and how they’re impacted by institutional powers.
In an era of mythological colorblindness, the public has no tolerance for the parts of history we choose to consult when creating art because racism and other forms of oppression are considered a thing of the past. The Bellhops create music that speaks truth to an illusory era; however, at the same time, we strive to reach beyond this moment, imagining an alternative future to the seemingly static state of urban life in America.
Our music is grounded in black musical traditions that make explicit the impact of oppressive institutions. The music we make bears the name of the blues for its lyrical sentiments; however, elements of funk, jazz, and other art forms such as spoken word poetry are evoked as well. Blues music captures everyday themes of life including love lost, drug use, jail, poverty, and sex. The everyday experiences of black people (past or present) prove insightful to understanding blacks and their relationship to power, both their [non] ability to access power and how they’re impacted by institutional powers.
In an era of mythological colorblindness, the public has no tolerance for the parts of history we choose to consult when creating art because racism and other forms of oppression are considered a thing of the past. The Bellhops create music that speaks truth to an illusory era; however, at the same time, we strive to reach beyond this moment, imagining an alternative future to the seemingly static state of urban life in America.
video by Sydney Parsons