Chrysta Bell at City Sounds: “This Train” and a collaboration with David Lynch at the synagogue

David Lynch's muse, a true goddess of sensuality and femme fatale, the captivating American singer Chrysta Bell will perform at the White Stork Synagogue on 20 March, in a concert within the well-known City Sounds series!

Chrysta Bell is a singer, lyricist, model and muse whose performances combine elements of multimedia shows and theatre. Bell began her career in Austin, Texas, as the vocalist of American swing-jazz group 8 1/2 Souvenirs, delivering highly successful interpretations of songs by Django Reinhardt, Paulo Conte and Serge Gainsbourg. She has also performed alongside stars such as Willie Nelson, Brian Setzer and Donovan.

She has known American cinema icon David Lynch for several years. With his help, she wrote and recorded “Polish Poem”, which he included on the soundtrack to “Inland Empire”.

“Chrysta Bell looks like a dream and sings like a dream,” said Lynch, who recently decided to open a further chapter of their collaboration. The director produced and wrote lyrics for most songs on his muse's debut album and, significantly, puts his own name to Chrysta Bell's world tour.

The collaboration resulted in “This Train”, an album filled with eleven highly evocative compositions recalling moments from Lynch's finest productions, created with the support of his regular composer Angelo Badalamenti. Reviewers also mention sonic affinities with the best 4AD releases of the 80s, such as Cocteau Twins and This Mortal Coil, on one hand, and the downtempo aesthetic of Massive Attack and Portishead on the other.

Chrysta Bell’s live performances are a feast for the eyes as well as the ears. Visuals comprising short films created with American director, producer and musician Dutch Rall form an integral part. This three-time Grammy winner, who has overseen the visuals for Lynch’s musical performances for years, created exceptionally sensual, engrossing videos for tracks including “This Train”, “Real Love” and “Swing With Me”. Together with the artist’s own breathtaking beauty, they build an atmosphere poised between dreams and waking life.

Chrysta Bell regularly tours with her band and has already visited Poland once, making her debut with a short performance at the opening gala of Plus Camerimage in Bydgoszcz. Now she returns to City Sounds at the atmospheric White Stork Synagogue to present Polish audiences with the complete set of compositions from her debut album for the first time.

▶