Album Notes

Beliss is the self-titled album from Belinda and Melissa Underwood, classically and jazz-trained musicians who have branched out into their own style. Influenced by such diverse artists as Joanna Newsom, Bjork, Calexico, Billy Strayhorn, Bobby Gentry and The Beatles, Beliss combines Pop, Jazz, Latin, Electronic, and Folk arrangements to create a sound that is uniquely Beliss. With songs that reflect Belinda and Melissa’s passion, Mother Nature, social justice, life, love, and travels to Mexico, Beliss’ heartfelt songs shine with love, hope, humor, and soul. Featuring guest musicians Martin Zarzar and Nick Crosa (Pink Martini) and Dan Gaynor (Nancy King), Beliss was recorded and engineered by Nick Moon (Liv Warfield) and mastered by Joe Lambert (The Fiery Furnaces, Don Byron).
The seeds of Beliss were planted in early 2004 when jazz vocalist/bassist Belinda convinced saxophone/guitar playing sister Melissa to move from her mountain hideaway in California to the musical rich city of Portland, Oregon. Coming from a tight knit musical family, they soon began writing and composing songs that only twenty five years of genetically blended sisterhood could produce. Enlisting friends from Pink Martini and Portland’s jazz and indie scenes, Beliss has played a variety of stages from The People’s Co-op Farmer’s Market to the scenester magnet Towne Lounge to the upcoming Bite of Oregon. Recently featured on Oregon Public Television’s “Oregon Art Beat,” Beliss has also appeared on major community radio stations from KPFA (Berkeley) to KCBX (San Luis Obispo) to KMHD (Portland).
With the release of their debut album, Beliss continues to open the hearts and minds of people throughout the West Coast and beyond.