By Sammy Ginsberg
Excited to introduce you to the art of Bel Mercy.
BIO
Bel Mercy is the musical project of Kristen and Chris, a Canadian-born duo now based in Los Angeles. Their blend of folk and rock, including vintage-tinged melodies and harmonies, channels the warmth of 1970s Laurel Canyon. Rooted in partnership both on and off stage, their songs explore love, loss, and self-discovery with honesty and timeless connection.
Q&A
LP: How would you describe your art?
Kristen: I’d say our music lives somewhere between folk and rock, warm, a little wistful, and centered on connection. I’ve always been drawn to writing about relationships, not just from my own experience but from observing how people love and grow (or don’t) over time.
Chris: Also, we met when we were kids, so we’ve been together for nineteen years now. Since starting this project, music has kind of become its own language between us. It’s a way for us to communicate ideas and emotions that don’t always fit neatly into words.
LP: When did you start performing?
Kristen: My first on-stage performance was in sixth grade when I played Lori in Oklahoma! and had absolutely no idea what I was doing. I joke that nothing’s quite topped that moment yet. We started performing seriously together in the last couple of years, which has been a really fun way to bring our songs to life.
Chris: I’ve been playing music since I was about five and spent many years in jazz and rock bands throughout high school. In undergrad, I played in the band for my school’s yearly musical, performing sax, drums, and piano. Eventually, I took over as band director for the 21-piece orchestra and started arranging all the music myself.
LP: Who are your influences?
Kristen: We’re influenced by a lot of the artists who came out of the Laurel Canyon and Los Angeles scene in the 60s and 70s like Fleetwood Mac, The Mamas & The Papas, America, The Eagles and such. We also draw from more modern rock and soulful songwriters like Foo Fighters, John Mayer, and Father John Misty.
LP: If you were given $1,000 dollars for an art project, what would you do?
Chris: $1,000 would go toward finishing our first album. We’ve been slowly chipping away at recording and can’t wait to get it out into the world.
LP: What do you think the function of art is in the 21st century?
Kristen: This is a big question. For us, community is a big part of why we make music, especially as we’ve moved around over the last few years. It brings people together in a way that cuts through everything else like distance, differences, and even time. I think that might be true for many artists, especially in this fast-paced world.
LP: Why did you sign up to perform at PorchFest 2025?
Chris: PorchFest felt like a chance to connect with other artists, share what we’ve been working on, and contribute to something that brings people together through art.
CHECK OUT THEIR ART
Bel Mercy will be performing at PorchFest 2025!
COME BY and SAY HI!!
If you want to reach out, you can find Bel Mercy on instagram at @belmercy_ or email at belmercymusic@gmail.com.
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