If you’ve ever had the wild pleasure of attending a Bella’s Bartok show, you know it’s more than just a concert—it’s a full-fledged spectacle. The band transforms every venue into a high-energy, immersive celebration where the lines between performer and audience dissolve. Frontperson Asher Isak recently gave us a glimpse into the heart, soul, and untamed spirit that powers Bella’s Bartok—and what makes their live shows unforgettable.

What Makes Bella’s Bartok’s Performances So Infectious?

For Asher, the secret is simple: love. “We love what we do and love doing it together. The audience sees that and, more importantly, hears that. We invite them in. We want to involve the audience, we want to share our chaotic joy.” That mutual connection, where the crowd feels as much a part of the show as the band itself, turns every Bella’s Bartok concert into an electrifying experience.

This sense of inclusion isn’t accidental. Asher and the band intentionally create a space where people can let loose, feel seen, and get swept up in the wild energy. Whether there are 20 or 2,000 people in the crowd, Asher describes the same visceral connection—one that fuels their chaotic joy and keeps the audience coming back for more.

The Glue That Holds the Chaos Together

Bella’s Bartok’s sound is a heady mix of Eastern European klezmer, punk, pop, and circus-inspired chaos. But beneath the eclectic influences lies a singular purpose: to get people dancing. Asher says that “The Lord of the Dance” holds it all together. “We want people to boogie, first and foremost. The drudgery of the everyday living in this collapsing oligarchic empire is taxing... to say the least.”

Their latest direction leans toward dance punk and psych rock, making their music even more accessible while keeping their signature high-energy feel. “Our need to dance the night away—and on occasion yell at people in Russian, Serbian, or Lebanese Arabic—hasn’t changed. Especially now.” In a world that feels heavier than ever, Bella’s Bartok offers a much-needed escape, blending joyful release with a raw, emotional edge.

The Heart of Bella’s Bartok—A Tribute to a Friend

Many fans don’t know that Bella’s Bartok was born out of a deep friendship and profound loss. Asher founded the band over 15 years ago, inspired by the unwavering support of their late friend Colm. “Artists and musicians are emotion process machines. What we experience, we write about—whether it’s heartbreak, grief, triumph, or critique on the horrors of modern society.”

Colm’s presence is still deeply felt at every Bella’s Bartok show. “The ember of my love for him becomes a roaring flame every time we hit the stage. It grows enough that I can share it with my bandmates in the moment and with the audience at large. At least for the set—and hopefully into their daily life until the next time.” Asher’s words resonate with anyone who’s carried the weight of grief and transformed it into something beautiful. “After all, what is grief but love with nowhere to go? I am lucky in that my grief is transformed once again into love that I can share and pass back and forth from my bandmates to the audience.”

Living Between David Bowie and Dresden Dolls… with a Twist

Bella’s Bartok has often been described as existing somewhere between David Bowie and Dresden Dolls, but Asher is quick to add another layer to that comparison. “Swing in a healthy dose of System of a Down and we’re ready to go!”

With band members who identify as queer or non-binary, Bella’s Bartok draws inspiration from Bowie’s boldness, Queen’s flamboyance, and System of a Down’s powerful commentary on justice and the immigrant experience. “Being that the majority of the band is queer or non-binary, we definitely take inspiration from Bowie and more often Queen. The Dresden Dolls and World Inferno inspired our theatrics and power femme lyricism. System of a Down gave us the voice of justice through the lens of the immigrant experience—Soviet, Balkan, and Central Asian heritage of our parents or grandparents.”

Bella’s Bartok’s music is a reflection of these influences, reimagined through their own unique lens. Asher puts it succinctly: “Without those artists listed above, there would be no Bella’s.”

Creating a Safe Space for All

Bella’s Bartok doesn’t just perform—they create a space where people of all ages, backgrounds, and identities can feel free and expressive. “We have a very diverse crowd, especially since the pandemic. The age of our crowd varies, but so often it’s anywhere from 17 to 77, and I love it.” The band’s longevity means they’ve built generational connections with their audience. “There are fans who come to shows whose parents brought them when they were 10, and now they’re 25 and opening the show or in the band.”

For Asher, this kind of multigenerational loyalty makes the 15 years they’ve poured into Bella’s Bartok worth every moment. “It reminds us time and time again to keep doing what we do—for us, for our fans, and for our community.”

Balancing Joyful Chaos and Soulful Depth

Bella’s Bartok’s music oscillates between joyful chaos and profound introspection. Asher describes this delicate balance as a reflection of life itself. “We must drink from the bitter cup in order to know and appreciate the sweet spoon of honey all the more. Love and loss, failure and triumph—it all goes hand in hand with the entirety of the human experience. Being that we are human beings ourselves, we must write what we know.”

This duality is what gives their music such emotional depth. Whether they’re inviting the crowd to lose themselves in a wild dance or quietly reflecting on the complexities of love and loss, Bella’s Bartok bridges both worlds with authenticity and heart.

The Persona That Takes Over on Stage

When Asher steps on stage, something transformative happens. “There is ‘another me’ that I wear when on stage. Or perhaps that character is wearing my skin. I’ve been told I look possessed on stage.” They admit that it’s hard to articulate exactly what happens during a performance, but one thing is certain—when they’re fully immersed in the moment, time blurs. “I know we’ve had a good show when I only remember the first and last note of the set.”

An Ever-Evolving Sound

From their early days as a raunchy folk-punk street band in Great Barrington to their current incarnation as a theatrical, genre-blurring five-piece (plus a puppeteer), Bella’s Bartok has undergone multiple reinventions. “We started as a folk punk, street band. It was fun and raunchy and not particularly stage-friendly, but man, on the street and at house parties, it was an exceptional experience.”

Through lineup changes, life shifts, and even a pandemic, Bella’s Bartok has continued to evolve. “For the past year, we’ve been rocking and rolling as a five-piece, exploring a new sound with vim and vigor. I often say I’ve been in four bands with the same name, and this one—THIS ONE—is my favorite.”

Unforgettable Moments and Spectacles

Bella’s Bartok’s shows are full of unpredictable moments—from breaking floors in 12 different venues to witnessing marriage proposals mid-set. But for Asher, the highlights are the massive singalongs at festivals like Floyd Fest (Virginia), Mile of Music (Wisconsin), Shakori Hills (North Carolina), and Maifest Treibsand (Lübeck, Germany). “Having thousands of people sing along to our tunes is the best feeling in the world.”

What’s in Store for Photo City on April 4th?

When asked how Bella’s Bartok plans to match the gritty, passionate energy of Photo City Music Hall on April 4th, Asher’s response is pure confidence. “A gritty and passionate spectacle is what each of us have as a tramp stamp. So, I can confidently say that it’s a match made in heaven. Given that our dear comrade in arms, Arthur Buezo, is on the bill, gritty passion is most assuredly on the menu.” Read our interview with Arthur HERE.

Expect a night where raw energy meets immersive theatrics—a night where the crowd and the band become one.