Behind the Sound: Making Magic with Bette Miller

Erin Noëlle and Bette Miller met at an open mic in Boston in 2016 — an erstwhile underground haunt for a community of local musicians and music lovers alike. When they ended up at the same yoga studio, a friendly face quickly developed into a close friendship.

Bette moved to Los Angeles a year before Erin. Reunited in the same city supporting one another and embracing the challenges of transition, music became a way to find strength amid uncertainties. Bette attended Erin’s very first show at Republic of Pie in North Hollywood and Erin recalls her saying afterward, "I didn’t know what to expect. But that was so you. We should play together sometime.” Erin couldn’t have asked for a better compliment.

“I have always respected Bette’s music and her boundless creativity that spans genres. Years ago she lived in Chile and played in a reggae band. I laugh to think of it. She is full of surprises.”

This partnership is something different. “Bette understands my vision, sometimes without my even having to put words to it. We are aligned in that way and playing my songs with her adds a magnetic thrill that is hard to recreate with anyone else.”

This songstress duo, with Bette’s backing vocals and multi-instrumentalist talent, forms a stripped down, intimate, and sometimes humorous set up. “We are all about having fun. Yes, we take this seriously and there are times when you just have to push through, but we are also close friends. If we are not having fun first and foremost then our very intention from the outset is lost. We take a step back. It’s about enjoying one another’s company and the process of creating magic together.”