Setting the tone with a vibrant and high octane alternative blues rock energy, Bella Disastro open Manuka with intrigue and the affirming, yet playful lyrics “Good morning to my baby, I get honey in my coffee, I get sugar in the evening, she’s playing dirty with the money…”
The opus expands into a romantic and charismatic song dedicated to Manuka honey, which is a type of honey that originates from certain parts of New Zealand. We learn that it’s produced by bees that pollinate the flowers found on a Manuka bush, a kind of tea tree that’s nestled at the base of the Tararua ranges in New Zealand’s North Island. Although Manuka honey is not vegan because bees make it, it is “better” than raw organic honey. Still if you are vegan and reading this, perhaps embrace the song as a concept of sweetness and not the literal exploitation of bees.
Adrian Saxton wrote Manuka one morning while waiting for his coffee to brew and strumming his acoustic guitar, he enjoys adding Manuka honey to his coffee and was inspired to write a song that include Manuka honey mixed with a quirky romance and affection for his girlfriend.
Bella Disastro is a three-piece rock band with the musicians based in Los Angeles, but alas the band are not native from LA. Adrian who is the lead guitarist, vocalist and songwriter is originally from London, whilst Mike Minori is from Queens New York and drummer Chris Kirshbaum is originally from Dayton Ohio.
The group met about 21 years ago on the music scene in Los Angeles, but only formed Bella Disastro seven years ago. Since they formed, the trio has been recording and playing live extensively in California area.
They cite Dire Straits, Eric Clapton and 70s British rock blues sound as some of their influences, which we can feel come through art, but there is no doubt that they are creating a universe of their own. We appreciate the poetic nuance and charm that Bella Disastro share with their art, and have added Manuka to our New Music Spotlight playlist, whilst we also listen the band’s latest single, Our Problems.