The Belles are an indie band from Lawrence Kansas who have just come out with their new album "Time Flies When You're Losing Your Mind" (in fact Rough Trade started selling it on the 21st via their website). They've been around for a few years (2002), gigging and recording and keeping it out there. And like so many bands who are going the iTunes/MySpace/DIY route, they are slowly getting a reputation, not only local but beyond our shores, having done a tour of Europe and picking up a following there.

Tonight's track "Existence Is Fragile" is off the album and, I think you're hearing it right, it's in mono. Good harmonies and a nice ballad and someone I think is going to be around for a while if they can keep it all together and keep doing what they're doing. Check out their My Space page for more samples.

Sometimes the long haul is just that.