P R E S S

SOTERIA BELL, featuring ARIA award winning vocalists, create music inspired by ancient cultures, as well as contemporary songs and improvisations. With their trademark harmonies combined with Cello & Viola, the music of Soteria Bell is cinematic & spellbinding.

Both spacious and richly textured, they also explore the ancient indigenous sounds of cultures including Mongolia, Tibet, Estonia, and Northern Japan.
Formed around 3 years ago, Linda & Mia have collaborated with respected artists including Paul Kelly, Dan Luscombe (Jindabyne soundtrack & soundtrack album) & Hugo Race.

In 2007 Soteria Bell held a residency at The National Gallery of Victoria, as part of the Art After Dark program, during the Guggenheim Exhibition, & released their debut album '44 Sunsets' which has received regular airplay on local and national radio, including ABC Radio National & Drive programs.

Soteria Bell's soundtrack music has also featured on an episode of SBS documentary series 'Message Stick'

2008 sees Soteria working as a trio with highly regarded Cellist/Composer Emily Williams, a well-known musician in the Melbourne community, whose collaborations extend to numerous bands & artists as well as writing, performing & recording her solo work.

Soteria Bell are:

Mia Shaw - Vocals, Viola
Linda Laasi - Vocals, Kalimba
Emily Williams - Cello, Vocals

The musicians who featured on 44 Sunsets are:

Simon Bailey - Guitar
Dean Frenkel - Harmonic Vocals, Didgeridoo
Anita Quayle - Cello
Kris Emond - Drums

I chose to work with Mia and Linda because of their high degree of musicianship and their unique sound.  Their voices complement and contrast each other in thrilling ways.  They have a strong sense of history as well as great improvisational skills which make them sound ancient and modern at the same time.” - Paul Kelly

"Soteria Bell were an absolute highlight of the 'Art After Dark' program" - Emma Cox, Program Co-ordinator NGV

Simon Bailey is a singer, songwriter and guitarist, & he engineered & co-produced a number of tracks on '44 Sunsets'.
His band "Ponyface" have just released the first single from their forthcoming release, to be launched at The East Brunswick Club on October 30th.
His music has featured in award winning short films, “Road Rage” (2007 Tropfest Audience Award Winner) and “Tiptoe”

Dean Frenkel is arguably Australia's foremost Harmonic Singer, as well as author, recording artist & Guiness World Book of Records holder.
He has recorded & collaborated with a number of notable artists & composers as well as released solo recordings of his own work.