Bellarive released their debut album The Heartbeat on June 19 with Sparrow Records and it held No. 1 on iTunes’ Christian & Gospel Album chart for two days. To celebrate their first project, they performed a concert to a sold out crowd of about 450 in their hometown of Orlando. “It was really special to have a typically secular venue downtown packed out for a worship service. Everyone was squished, shoulder-to-shoulder. It was amazing to have so many friends and family there and so much support,” said Sean Curran.
Bellarive has six members: Sean Curran (lead vocals, keys); Melissa Mage (vocals); Mike Mage (programming, vocals, guitar); Zach Glotfelty (lead guitar); Josh Luker (bass, percussion); Kenny Werner (drums).
ec: What was the purpose behind this debut album?
Bellarive: We hope that the music of The Heartbeat pulls the listener closer to the depths of God’s heart. When we were writing these songs, they definitely all seemed of a set. Each one revealed a little bit more of who God is to all of us, a different glimpse of His glory or love and getting deeper and deeper into His heart.
ec: Whom would you say your style of music would most closely compare with? What is your intention or direction for the band?
Bellarive: I think that most of the time we get compared to the passion behind Leeland’s music and the creativity of Crowder’s music. We don’t have an agenda for writing the songs, but just let each be what it needs to be; something that the body of Christ can sing together. Some songs have simplicity, but others are more introspective. The intention behind all of our songs is to have a huge heart of worship. Songs with a corporate and creative vibe.
ec: Where did you all first meet?
Bellarive: We were all serving in the student ministry at Discovery Church and started leading worship together in 2009. Felt like God was weaving our hearts together, felt a connection. We met weekly to figure out what God had in store. The songs we wrote were about what we were learning and how God was moving in the student ministry. After writing songs, we starting leading worship with them. The response to the worship was overwhelming. It was cool to see the response. It was more than words on a screen and a reflection of how God was moving in our lives. After becoming busy at our home church, we took a step back to see what God had in store for our future.
ec: Where did you get the name Bellarive?
Sean: My house was where we recorded the first EP and where we spent a lot of time together. There was a street near my house named “Bellerive” and we liked the name. “Bella” means beautiful in Italian and “rive” means riverbank in French, so we like to say that it means beautiful river.
ec: You’ve traveled to many camps this summer to lead worship for students. What would be your encouragement to students?
Bellarive: Maybe to come to grips with your identity in Christ. In high school and middle school, you have these struggles with identity and you are just trying to figure out who you are. The sooner you can tap into how God sees you, the sooner you can tap into how you can live your life for Him; to dive into that and to ask those questions. The King of Kings calls you His own. There is an identity in Him that surpasses any issue you could have in the earthly realms.
Check out Bellarive’s debut album, The Heartbeat. We like “Taste of Eternity” and “Heartbeat.” Learn more about Bellarive and listen to more of their music at http://www.bellarive.com/.
Then, check out this video of Bellarive performing “Taste of Eternity”!
(Note: we do not promote or endorse any commercials that may appear before this video.)
