In pursuit of honouring her cultural roots, contemporary multi-instrumentalist Belle Sisoski seamlessly intertwines the past and present through her music. Her latest release, The Revelation, encapsulates a journey of self-awareness and empowerment.
A melody of authenticity
Iconic contemporary multi-instrumentalist Belle Sisoski’s latest release, “The Revelation”, is a song about embracing authenticity. It explores the balance between tradition and modernity, taking listeners on a journey of self-discovery and appreciation.
“Embrace your flaws and insecurities. Turn them into your strength and confidence. Be proud of something that others say doesn’t look nice or doesn’t suit you. Don’t be ashamed in what you do, and don’t be apologetic — just be yourself,” she shared during an exclusive interview with the Sarawak Tribune.
“The Revelation” serves as a sequel to her previous release, “The Revival”. Belle describes the songs as a realisation of one’s purpose in the pursuit of authenticity. Rooted in elemental philosophies, “The Revival” represents the wind element, while “The Revelation” symbolises earth.
With earth being grounding, rooted, steady, and stubborn, Belle explained that her latest release is about finding certainty and confidence, remaining uninfluenced by external forces. “I will be releasing an album based on this concept, with the third and fourth songs coming soon.”
She also revealed that her inspiration for using elemental philosophies stemmed from her music’s deep connection to Mother Nature. Aiming to play musical instruments that closely reflect her cultural identity, returning to her roots allows her to embrace the four elements and strengthens her connection to her heritage.
“The songs essentially tell the story of life and growth. ‘The Revival’ is about questioning oneself, while ‘The Revelation’ is about realisation and certainty. The upcoming songs will address struggles and overcoming them,” she elaborated.
A Cultural Pursuit
As a child, Belle’s mother, who was passionate about Sarawak’s cultural roots, raised her with strong Sarawakian values. Now, as a musician, Belle surrounds herself with like-minded creatives and passionately bridges traditional and modern elements together.
In “The Revelation”, she incorporated a total of 12 traditional musical instruments to create the melody. Most of these instruments originate from Borneo, including the Sirutuong (Dayak Borneo), Bungkau (Kadazan Dusun), Turali (Kadazan Dusun), Sape (Orang Ulu), Tapi (Lun Bawang), Yak Horn Trumpet (Tibetan), Gangsa Gamelan (Javanese and Balinese), 24 Seasons Drums (Malaysian Chinese), Engkerumong (Iban), Kompang (Malay), Djembe (Mande @ West Africa), and Sompoton (Sabah).
Belle described the experience of playing traditional musical instruments in four words—empowering, powerful, sacred, and honoured.
Among the instruments featured in The Revelation, her favourite is the Tapi from the Lun Bawang tribe due to its prominence in instrumental solos. “I also enjoyed playing the 24 Seasons Drums from the Chinese culture because they are powerful and massive.”
As a contemporary musician, Belle ensures her music maintains authenticity while incorporating modern textures to give it a unique twist. To her, these instruments are not just tools for music but vessels that carry centuries of history.
“Understanding the cultural context, origins, and maintaining the essence of these traditional instruments is crucial. I learn how to use them to their fullest potential, amplifying their presence while blending them with modern elements,” she explained when asked about preserving the traditional aspects of the instruments.
Honouring one’s roots
Having performed at various concerts and events, Belle is known for her talent in showcasing cultural instruments and merging them with modern sounds. This fusion creates awareness of historical narratives. As a musician, she believes that our roots and cultural background shape who we are.
“In a fast-moving world, grounding ourselves in tradition keeps us connected to something real, genuine, and meaningful. As a musician, I add a modern touch to these instruments to connect with younger generations. My music is more than just sound — it is storytelling, cultural pride, and a way to keep history alive.”
To keep up with Belle, who is also a producer and composer, follow her on social media: Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube @bellesisoski. Her music is also available on streaming platforms under Belle Sisoski.
