Isabelle Blue — her real name, by the way (well, first and middle names, and the middle one inspired by the Joni Mitchell album, but everybody calls her Belle) — is still in school. As in High School. But she is a true musical prodigy, whose sound and songs display a maturity that seems otherworldly. Or at least from someone much older and much more life-lived.
She just recently released her first single, “WOOF”, available on the usual platforms. It’s a fine rock ‘n roll song that could have been transported straight from the late 80s, early ‘90s, from maybe The Pretenders or the Go-Go’s. Or Joan Jett. With a little quarter-of-a-century-into-the-new-Millenium sass.
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Her next song, due to be released this Spring, “Angeles” is a wonderful, raw pop/rock song about a boy in LA.
NYC born, this young lady, who’s a Presidential term and a bit away from being old enough to drink, is a real talent.
She’s mostly self taught, except for some piano lessons when she was 13 and her father teaching her to play guitar. She records in Nashville — is there some kind of law saying you can’t record anywhere else now? — having gone down there several times, presumably on school breaks. She is produced by a hotshot named Paul Freeman who, understandably, greatly believes in her and plays everything on the record but the drums.
Belle hopes “my single can give a new perspective to the box that we are putting rock ‘n roll in. And for my music to be a new way to break out of that box.” No small ambition, but don’t bet against it.
She most admires her mum, Dawn Kamerling, who is involved with helping her record and accompanies her to Nashville. “She is the most powerful and badass person I know,” says Belle, touchingly. “I hope I can be half the person she is.
“Her mom as well, my grandmother, Claire Brightwater. She was a record producer in the ‘60s in London, before women really ever did that. Two powerful women.”
SPIN: Should we know you?
Belle Blue: I’d like that!
Tell us three things about yourself that are important.
I create my own clothes and am very interested in fashion. I write all my songs and write almost every day. I have a Pomeranian named Yoko Ono.
Tell us something that’s embarrassing
My grade in math.
Who’s your biggest influence?
David Bowie would be up there. He is undeniably a rock and roll legend. He’s done some amazing acting too. He inspires my art every day.
Who’s your smallest influence?
The band Wolf Alice has some of the coolest music I have ever heard. They don’t get enough recognition for how sick their music is.
Who’s the most exciting musician in 2025 (besides you)?
Kids That Fly! They are a super cool indie-rock band and their music is great.
Name three Americans so odious that they should be set adrift in a dinghy in the Arctic Circle with enough food and water to only last them 24 hours, tops.
Donald Trump, Elon Musk and anyone who thinks they’re smart, hahaha.
Do you believe in magic or God, or both?
I believe that God is magic and exists in all of us. The universe has a path for all of us, it’s only our job to live our lives.
How do we make America great again?
America is in a very fragile state right now, especially with who’s in office. Not very good. Hard times are exactly when you need music the most. John Lennon created “Imagine”, changing people’s lives and shifting perspectives. A girl and her guitar can change the world. You just have to love one another and spread kindness. I hope we can reach that one day.
Where can we hear your music?
You can stream my music on Spotify, apple music! Find me under Belle Blue.
To see our running list of the top 100 greatest rock stars of all time, click here.
