Tickle Belly Hill Music

Vocalist, Songwriter, Producer

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14 Reviews (6 Verified)
Tickle Belly Hill Music on SoundBetter

Singer/songwriter and arranger for national commercials, TV & film (McDonald's, Jimmy Kimmel Live, Super Bowl, National Lampoon's, Black Monday, C.S.I.). Toured with Miley Cyrus, Billy Ray Cyrus, Stewart Copeland, Johnny Hallyday, Michael Bolton and Luis Miguel. Radio, news & festivals opening for Lady Antebellum, Lee Brice, and Chris Janson.

Professional live touring & session vocalist for 25+ years. Songwriter with placements in TV and original CD releases. Versatility is my specialty. Under the Pop umbrella - but also Soul, Country, and Folk vocal styles. In general, I can adjust my tone to fit your style. Happy to go above and beyond for a satisfied client.

Modern, innovative song production and demos. Experienced in many different genres like Pop, EDM, R&B, Rock, and Country, as well as soft, singer-songwriter, and stacked vocals. I use a Dave Pearlman TM-1 microphone, BAE 1073 preamp (winning combo ;) Universal Audio Apollo Twin X Interface, Logic X, and various industry standard plugins. Pricing can vary depending on the song.

I'd love to hear about your project. Let me know how I can help!

Contact me through the green button above and let's get to work.

Languages

  • English
  • Spanish

14 Reviews - 1 Repeat Client

Endorse Tickle Belly Hill Music
  1. Review by Sindri B.
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    Tickle Belly delivers on all fronts!!
    Awesome voice and songwriting, and super easy to communicate with. Took my track to another league! Will definitely work with Tickle again! 5-stars all the way!

  2. Review by Timmy H.
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    Carmel is an excellent resource for your creative needs. She is heaven sent!

  3. Review by Jonathon B.
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    Carmel with anther great vocal performance! She brings so much to a song. Highly recommend her!

  4. Review by Jonathon B.
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    Carmel is awesome to work with and really nailed this cover of an iconic Tina Turner song! She was quick with her delivery and provided exactly the amount of vocals needed to help bring out the best. Looking forward to this next one!

  5. Review by Ronni L.
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    She did a marvellous job. Excellent communications.

  6. Review by Mark B.
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    Carmel is an amazing talent. She took the time to make sure she captured the feel I wanted for the song. Her vocals are powerful and extremely versatile. Love what she did with the song. Thanks ma'am for your help.

  7. Review by Ladywood Entertainment
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    by Ladywood Entertainment

    Carmel is a rare gem. She never gives you the bare minimum. When you hire Carmel she works tirelessly and always with a smile on her face, because she genuinely loves music, creating it and ushering it into the world. She is not only multi-talented but the quality of her productions are first class.

  8. Review by BoomFox Productions
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    Carmel is an amazing singer, songwriter AND producer. She's not only super versatile and talented, but extremely professional and a pleasure to work with. Will definitely be hiring her for many future jobs to come.

  9. Review by She’s a total pro and I highly recommend her for any projects you might have
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    by She’s a total pro and I highly recommend her for any projects you might have

    I’ve been working with Carmel for 12 years in the studio and then live performance. Her ability to convey a song is as good as it gets. She can sound like the artist You envision or she can sound like the way she hears it. She’s a total pro and I highly recommend her for any projects you might have

  10. Review by Tom Valdez
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    by Tom Valdez

    Carmel can sing!!! She’s got style, passion and chops, with professionalism earned from years of experience in the studio and on tour. She has sung on many songs for us in the past and many more to come in the future. Highly recommended!

  11. Review by John Novello
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    by John Novello

    If you want musicality at a professional level sometimes referred to as “soul”, don’t hesitate to hire Carmel Helene! I have produced many tracks with her, co-wrote with her and performed live with her - she is the best hands down! She will elevate your music to a level beyond your expectations!

  12. Review by Steve Kramer
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    by Steve Kramer

    I feel fortunate to have had Carmel bring six of my songs to life. Like an actress, she becomes the lead character in my stories, her golden voice weaving seamlessly into the music, giving each its own unique personality.

    Our latest collaboration occurred during the COVID lock-down and she was able to complete the project remotely in her home studio.

    I appreciate her amazing talent, flexibility and professionalism, and look forward to our next adventure.

  13. Review by Willie Murillo
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    by Willie Murillo

    If you are reading this review looking for a session singer, look no further. Carmel is your answer. Seriously! She’s amazing and super easy to work with. Over and over, my biggest personal obstacle when hiring session singers is finding someone who will get behind the vision of what I'm trying to accomplish and throw their back into it in the same way I would as the writer.

    Because Carmel is an entrepreneur and song writer herself, she "gets it!" It’s always a pleasure not to mention a “relief” to have her on dates representing my work. Hire her and thank me later. Trust me.

  14. Review by Byron Fry
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    by Byron Fry

    As an arranger / producer / guitarist in LA, I've worked with much of the best and most humbling talent on the planet over the decades.
    Incredibly, Carmel manages to sing at a level beyond what is considered top-shelf in this town. She's a force of nature with a sound of her own (which is uncommon these days), and any time I can find an excuse to have her in front of my mic I make it happen, because I know it'll be a fantastic production with her pipes on it.
    She's sweet, humble and takes direction as well as any professional.
    I recommend her highly!!

Interview with Tickle Belly Hill Music

  1. Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

  2. A: What do you need? How can I help? Please send me the details: lyrics, key signature, tempo, sample/bit rate, any specific references (what sound/vibe are you looking for), is the track in a set key or can it be changed, and how soon do you need it done? The more information you can give me, the better equipped I am to give you what you want. I'm more than happy to chat. Please contact me anytime.

  3. Q: What's your 'promise' to your clients?

  4. A: I promise to do my absolute best to make you happy. I'm a songwriter and an artist myself, so I know how important it is to achieve the vision you hear in your head. The money is not important. Your satisfaction is what I care about.

  5. Q: What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?

  6. A: Please feel free to reach out and ask me any questions! What's your budget, and what specifically are you looking for? I will do my best to negotiate whatever seems fair to both parties, depending on the amount of work/time involved.

  7. Q: What questions do customers most commonly ask you? What's your answer?

  8. A: I don't really get asked a lot of questions. They trust my judgement and say "make it your own" and I run with it!

  9. Q: What's your typical work process?

  10. A: I grab the details of what's wanted, along with the lyrics, key, tempo, desired sample/bit rate, and as much direction as possible. I learn on the job, quickly laying down the vocal and familiarizing myself with the song (after recording my initial ideas into my voice memos). I know that my commitment to the message and emotion (the listener needs to believe me) is the most important. So I just try to connect with the song, and record several takes, which I comp into one dope vocal!

  11. Q: If you were on a desert island and could take just 5 pieces of gear, what would they be?

  12. A: I love my Dave Pearlman TM-1 mic (or a Neumann U47), my BAE preamp, interface, computer, and my guitar.

  13. Q: Can you share one music production tip?

  14. A: I quickly learn the song, and throw down my own ideas into my voice memos first, to get a feel for my my own production style and natural inclinations, before I get the client's melody stuck too far in my head. A lot of times, my first instinct is correct, and I like to be sure to have some ideas to offer, in case the client wants options. Then I sing it down exactly as instructed. Also, I like to sing several takes and then comp that vocal section right away, while it's fresh in my mind.

  15. Q: What type of music do you usually work on?

  16. A: I sing pop mostly, but I'm hired to sing a lot of high belts and soul... soulful rock, gospel soul, country soul... I have a rich, low register, and that's actually my favorite. I can sing some Baritone and Bass notes. But no one ever asks!

  17. Q: What are you working on at the moment?

  18. A: Currently, I'm writing, recording, and producing songs across several genres, for placement in film, TV, and ads. I'm also working to develop other artists.

  19. Q: Is there anyone on SoundBetter you know and would recommend to your clients?

  20. A: Yes. If I don't feel I'm the right fit for your project, I'll certainly refer you to someone who is.

  21. Q: Tell us about a project you worked on you are especially proud of and why. What was your role?

  22. A: I love creating something out of nothing. That's what I love most about working on original material. I'm especially proud of albums I've been a part of, where I came up with the melody, music, sang the vocals, and directed the production so that it would sound just right.

  23. Q: Analog or digital and why?

  24. A: Well, I used to be an analog girl... but the digital world now, is so vast! I'm blown away by the ingenuity of the modern developers. You barely even need to know how to play an instrument these days (although I don't recommend this ;) and you can create any sound you want!

  25. Q: What do you like most about your job?

  26. A: Where do I start?! I can't see myself doing anything else, ever. How's that?

  27. Q: What's the biggest misconception about what you do?

  28. A: I don't know... maybe, that's it's fun, so it's not as important of a job as some others. Many people probably don't understand JUST how much skill it takes (writers, singers, musicians, producers, etc) to make songs sound great.

  29. Q: What was your career path? How long have you been doing this?

  30. A: I've been singing for over 30 years. I started in heavy metal bands as a teenager, and moved into soul music and pop in my early twenties. I was signed to several production deals with award-winning producers, where I learned to train my ear, from working with the very best in the business. A diverse background, as the lead vocalist in classic Vegas shows, Motown shows, EDM, as well as soulful rock shows throughout the Hollywood rock scene. I went on to tour with several major artists for many years, and released my own pop-rock CD. I was signed to an indie label and released a country CD. I continued to write and perform all over the world, play major festivals, SAG sessions for TV, and much more. But the hardest part, has been getting my 9-year-old to do his schoolwork from home!! ;-P

  31. Q: How would you describe your style?

  32. A: Pop - Soul - Country - Rock. Those are my faves, and I have inflections of all those sounds in my voice.

  33. Q: Which artist would you like to work with and why?

  34. A: Carrie Underwood. I think her vocals are amazing, and I love country music! I'd love to write a song for her and help produce.

  35. Q: What's your strongest skill?

  36. A: Versatility, and being easy to work with.

  37. Q: What do you bring to a song?

  38. A: My enthusiasm! I'll bring my flavor, my soul, and my low, rich tone. I love singing in the really low ranges, but I'm almost always hired to song the high parts. I usually like to sing the parts exactly like the reference example first. I find that people will typically ask you to make your own changes, but actually want the part they originally sang. Then I'll add my own ideas and other options for the client. I like direction and back and forth communication, to make sure I'm delivering what's needed.

  39. Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

  40. A: I run Logic Pro X through a Universal Audio Apollo Twin interface. I use a Dave Pearlman TM-1 microphone and a BAE 1073 preamp. This mic chain is the exact same setup they had at a pro studio I've gone to for years, so I bought the same combo! I have a few industry standard plugins... but basically spend all my Soundbetter income buying more plugins! ;)

  41. Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?

  42. A: Wow. I'm inspired daily, by so many. I really like the music production of: Jack Antonoff, Chris Lord Algae, and Greg Kurstin. Vocalists/Artists: Lauren Daigle, Madison Ryann Ward, Tenille Arts, Dixie Chicks, Cam, Joy Williams, Sia, Harry Styles, Whitney Houston... the list could literally go on forever...

  43. Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.

  44. A: I commonly sing lead (and background) vocals on a client's track for release. I also tend to offer arrangement help, and sometimes help with the melody.

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Soldier by Carmel Helene

I was the Co-writer, Singer, and Co-producer in this production

Terms Of Service

Please pay upon completion. I'll send you edited and tuned, dry vocal stems via WeTransfer. Typically, I offer unlimited revisions (within reason ;) I want to make sure you're happy.

GenresSounds Like
  • Céline Dion
  • Dua Lipa
  • Billie Eillish
Gear Highlights
  • Dave Pearlman TM-1 microphone
  • BAE 10723 preamp
  • Apollo Twin X interface
  • Logic X
More Photos
  • What's New?Aug 21, 2020

    Writing/recording full-time for placements in TV, film & ads. I make time on the weekends to enjoy nature with the family. If you haven't floated down the Merced River through Yosemite National Park... you MUST!