The Lone Bellow

The Lone Bellow

The Lone Bellow is an American musical group from Brooklyn, originally formed as a songwriting project for Zach Williams. The band later becomes a trio featuring Williams, Brian Elmquist and Kanene Pipkin. It relocates to Nashville in early 2016.

Style and sound

The group works in folk, americana and indie-folk, with rock elements, gospel influence and a strong focus on three-part harmony. Its songs often draw on personal stories and shared experiences, and the blend of voices is central to its identity. The band works with producer Aaron Dessner of the National on its second album, adding a sound that includes piano, drums, voices and orchestral brass and string arrangements.

Origins and early years

Before joining the band, Brian Elmquist writes and records as a solo artist for more than a decade and releases three albums under his own name. Kanene Pipkin and her husband Jason live in Beijing, China, where they host open mic nights, play local clubs and teach music lessons. Zach Williams begins writing songs after a family tragedy involving his wife, and the journal he keeps during that period becomes his first solo material. When Kanene and Zach sing together at her brother’s wedding, they discover that their voices fit well together. Brian later moves to New York, and Kanene moves there a couple of years after him to attend culinary school. The three then meet in New York and begin working on Zach’s songs.

Debut and second album

The band plays regularly in New York and treats Rockwood Music Hall on the Lower East Side as a home venue. It opens for the Civil Wars, Dwight Yokam, Brandi Carlile and the Avett Brothers. Its self-titled debut album is produced by Charlie Peacock and released in January 2013, helping establish the group in the Americana scene. After two years of touring, the band writes nearly 40 songs on the road and records its second album with Aaron Dessner at Dreamland in upstate New York, a former church converted into a studio. Vocals are often captured in single takes, with the singers standing in a circle in the sanctuary space.

Songwriting themes

The band’s songs are drawn from real events rather than invented stories. “Marietta” is based on something that happens between Zach Williams and his wife. Brian Elmquist writes “Call to War” about his own struggles during his twenties, but Kanene Pipkin sings it. Other songs mentioned include “Heaven Don’t Call Me Home” and “If You Don’t Love Me,” which are recorded with the same live vocal approach.

Collaborators and connections

Aaron Dessner produces the second album after working with artists including Local Natives and Sharon Van Etten. His brother Bryce Dessner contributes brass and string arrangements, and Jonathan Low works as engineer. The band also opens for several touring acts before its debut release, including the Civil Wars, Dwight Yokam, Brandi Carlile and the Avett Brothers.