“Black Bear is an album that conceptually reflects and touches on all of the most important relationships in my life," Belle explained in a press release. "It's a dialogue and a wrestling with God-a continuation of the story that I began with The Ladder." While his music has always nested a little on the Mat Kearney side, this time around, Belle chose a different route, drawing his influence from alternative acts like Beach House, Washed Out, Bon Iver and M83 while crafting Black Bear. Since his 2008 debut, Belle has passed the years by traveling and performing with artists such as The Milk Carton Kids, Katie Herzig and Greg Laswell, participating in the Paste-sponsored touring group ‘Ten Out of Tenn' and adding two EPs to his name, the most recent being The Daylight EP in 2012. Think you've heard Belle's soft croons somewhere before? Chances are it was on popular TV shows like Grey's Anatomy, Vampire Diaries and Castle. - Paste
