Bell: Mellow strings and songwriter musings

Formerly local songstress Mariana Bell now calls Los Angeles home, but this weekend she’s coming back to Charlottesville to unveil a new set of songs.

On Sunday night, Bell will perform material from her new album, “Push,” at the Southern Cafe and Music Hall. The new disc is her first since moving to the West Coast and the follow up to 2007’s critically hailed “Book.”

On her latest, Bell’s songwriting still carries intense, self-reflective themes, but the music surrounding the tunes has a lighter, sunnier aura.

“It’s been somewhat of a culture shock but great overall,” Bell says of now living in the big city. “You can tell I’m definitely enjoying the perfect weather.”

Where “Book” and her other previous work waved a rootsy Americana flag, “Push” has a pop sheen that should give Bell accessibility with a wider audience. Credit the tight production and touch of gloss to help from Eddie Jackson, who has worked with the likes of Guster, Ari Heist and James Taylor.

“He’s an easygoing guy, so the vibe in the studio was fun and light, yet we managed to get a lot of work done,” Bells says of working with Jackson. “That’s the best of both worlds.

“It has a more organic feeling and a live sound,” she adds about the new album. “I think we captured a stronger vocal. It’s a little lighter and not as studied of a record as the last one.”

While the package may be a little more polished, Bell still sings her personal songs with deep conviction, and she insists she’s not gunning for the mainstream.

“I just want to support my music and play shows for people that actually care,” she says. “If that means little shows with quiet happy listeners, I’m happy with that.”

At the Southern, Bell will play in a duo format with local guitar wiz Tucker Rogers. There also will be acoustic sets by Blake Hunter of Trees on Fire and Genna Matthew. Call it a perfect evening of mellow strings and songwriter musings for Mother’s Day.

“I’m literally hoping everyone and their mom shows up,” Bell says with a laugh.