Ollabelle
Harmonious, soulful roots music that feels like a Sunday morning revival in a wooden chapel. Gospel-inflected folk with deep, communal warmth.
Harmonious, soulful roots music that feels like a Sunday morning revival in a wooden chapel. Gospel-inflected folk with deep, communal warmth.
Ollabelle emerged from the East Village's 9C bar scene in the early 2000s, originally forming as a casual Sunday night gospel project. The group is a supergroup of sorts within the Americana world, featuring Amy Helm (daughter of Levon Helm), Byron Isaacs, Tony Leone, Fiona McBain, and Glenn Patscha.
Their sound identity is defined by a sophisticated 'urban-meets-rural' aesthetic, blending traditional Appalachian folk, Southern gospel, and New Orleans R&B with a modern singer-songwriter sensibility. Their career arc saw them move from local favorites to T Bone Burnett-produced darlings, helping to bridge the gap between the 90s alt-country movement and the 2010s folk revival. Critical consensus highlights their exceptional vocal chemistry and their ability to deconstruct and rebuild traditional hymns without losing their spiritual core. They are a vital link in the Woodstock-to-NYC roots music pipeline, influencing a generation of harmony-focused Americana acts.
Shares roots reggae, cabin_in_woods, americana, acoustic folk (subgenre)
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