School of Seven Bells
Encyclopedia
School of Seven Bells is a band formed by Benjamin Curtis
of Secret Machines, together with identical twins Alejandra and Claudia Deheza, formerly of On!Air!Library!
. The band is named after the School of the Seven Bells, a mythical South American pickpocket training academy.
tour. The three decided to end their commitments to their old bands, move in to a shared space, and create a home recording studio together.
Their sound has been described as dreamy and ethereal, and the lyrics as abstract. However, singer Alejandra Deheza insists that the lyrics are not abstract or obscure.
The band has an unorthodox song writing process that begins with lyrics, which are only supplemented by the music. Curtis has said this is the most important part of the band with "everything else [being] accompaniment." A before-and-after example of this process is hosted by NPR's program Day to Day
(starting at 3:50).
In concert, Curtis, who stays mostly on lead guitar
can often be seen manipulating various electronic devices in between guitar segments.
A single My Cabal was released in May 2007 on the UK label Sonic Cathedral.
A 12"/digital EP Face to Face on High Places was released in September 2007 on Table of the Elements
, in addition to a single from Prefuse 73 called Class of 73 Bells that features the band. The band then toured with Blonde Redhead
and with Prefuse 73.
School of Seven Bells' debut album, Alpinisms
, was released one year later in 2008. They then went on tour with Bat for Lashes
on her UK Two Suns
tour.
School of Seven Bells' track "Chain" from their album Alpinisms
was featured on an Adult Swim
and Ghostly International
compilation album, Ghostly Swim, promoted by Adult Swim
and available for free download.
Their second album, Disconnect From Desire
was released in July 2010 : it was hailed by Pitchfork
. During the accompanying tour, they cover
ed a Siouxsie and the Banshees song, "Kiss Them for Me".
The band was awarded International Bet of the Year (Aposta Internacional) at the 2010 MTV Video Music Brasil.
On October 12, 2010, it was announced via their Facebook page that Claudia Deheza had left the band due to personal reasons.
On November 14, 2011, it was announced (in an interview with Stereogum) that their third album, Ghostory, would be released in spring of 2012.
Benjamin Curtis (musician)
Benjamin Curtis is an American guitarist. He is a member of School of Seven Bells, in which he sings and plays instruments in addition to guitar. Benjamin was the guitarist and backing vocalist for the rock band The Secret Machines until March 2007, when, according to the band's website, he left to...
of Secret Machines, together with identical twins Alejandra and Claudia Deheza, formerly of On!Air!Library!
On!Air!Library!
On!Air!Library! was a post-rock/ambient/Experimental rock band from New York City. Twin sisters Claudia Deheza and Alley Deheza met up with Phillip Wann to form the group in 1998. Through playing at local venues and parties, the trio eventually landed a deal with Arena Rock Recording Co...
. The band is named after the School of the Seven Bells, a mythical South American pickpocket training academy.
History
Curtis and the Deheza sisters met when both were opening on an InterpolInterpol (band)
Interpol is an American indie rock and post-punk revival band from New York City. Formed in 1997, the band's original line-up consisted of Paul Banks , Daniel Kessler , Carlos Dengler and Greg Drudy . Drudy left the band in 2000 and was replaced by Sam Fogarino...
tour. The three decided to end their commitments to their old bands, move in to a shared space, and create a home recording studio together.
Their sound has been described as dreamy and ethereal, and the lyrics as abstract. However, singer Alejandra Deheza insists that the lyrics are not abstract or obscure.
The band has an unorthodox song writing process that begins with lyrics, which are only supplemented by the music. Curtis has said this is the most important part of the band with "everything else [being] accompaniment." A before-and-after example of this process is hosted by NPR's program Day to Day
Day to Day
Day to Day was a one-hour weekday American radio newsmagazine distributed by National Public Radio , and produced by NPR in collaboration with Slate. Madeleine Brand served as host since 2006...
(starting at 3:50).
In concert, Curtis, who stays mostly on lead guitar
Lead guitar
Lead guitar is a guitar part which plays melody lines, instrumental fill passages, guitar solos, and occasionally, some riffs within a song structure...
can often be seen manipulating various electronic devices in between guitar segments.
A single My Cabal was released in May 2007 on the UK label Sonic Cathedral.
A 12"/digital EP Face to Face on High Places was released in September 2007 on Table of the Elements
Table of the Elements
Table of the Elements is an American record label. It concentrates on re-released and specially recorded experimental music, including many of the great avant garde musicians of the 20th and 21st centuries — John Cale, Tony Conrad and La Monte Young, for instance — as well as...
, in addition to a single from Prefuse 73 called Class of 73 Bells that features the band. The band then toured with Blonde Redhead
Blonde Redhead
Blonde Redhead is an American alternative rock band composed of vocalist/rhythm guitarist Kazu Makino and twin brothers Simone and Amedeo Pace , which formed in New York City in 1993....
and with Prefuse 73.
School of Seven Bells' debut album, Alpinisms
Alpinisms
Alpinisms is a debut album by School of Seven Bells. It was originally released on October 28, 2008 through Ghostly International, and re-released on July 14, 2009 through Vagrant Records in the U.S. Vagrant also released the Deluxe Edition featuring 9 bonus tracks on October 13, 2009.-Track...
, was released one year later in 2008. They then went on tour with Bat for Lashes
Bat for Lashes
Natasha Khan , also known by her stage name Bat for Lashes, is an English musician. She sings and plays the piano, bass, guitar, harpsichord and the autoharp....
on her UK Two Suns
Two Suns
Two Suns is the Mercury Music Prize nominated second album by English-Pakistani solo artist Bat for Lashes , released on 6 April 2009...
tour.
School of Seven Bells' track "Chain" from their album Alpinisms
Alpinisms
Alpinisms is a debut album by School of Seven Bells. It was originally released on October 28, 2008 through Ghostly International, and re-released on July 14, 2009 through Vagrant Records in the U.S. Vagrant also released the Deluxe Edition featuring 9 bonus tracks on October 13, 2009.-Track...
was featured on an Adult Swim
Adult Swim
Adult Swim is an adult-oriented Cable network that shares channel space with Cartoon Network from 9:00 pm until 6:00 am ET/PT in the United States, and broadcasts in countries such as Australia and New Zealand...
and Ghostly International
Ghostly International
Ghostly International is an American independent record label. Chief artists include Matthew Dear, Dabrye , Mobius Band, and Skeletons & The Girl-Faced Boys, all of which are innovative contributors to the world of music....
compilation album, Ghostly Swim, promoted by Adult Swim
Adult Swim
Adult Swim is an adult-oriented Cable network that shares channel space with Cartoon Network from 9:00 pm until 6:00 am ET/PT in the United States, and broadcasts in countries such as Australia and New Zealand...
and available for free download.
Their second album, Disconnect From Desire
Disconnect from Desire
Disconnect From Desire is the second album by School of Seven Bells. It was released on July 12, 2010 through Full Time Hobby, and re-released on July 13, 2010 through Vagrant Records/Ghostly International in the U.S. It debuted at #200 on the Billboard 200...
was released in July 2010 : it was hailed by Pitchfork
Pitchfork
A pitchfork is an agricultural tool with a long handle and long, thin, widely separated pointed tines used to lift and pitch loose material, such as hay, leaves, grapes, dung or other agricultural materials. Pitchforks typically have two or three tines...
. During the accompanying tour, they cover
Cover
- Science and technology :* A covering, usually one that completely closes the object** Lid** Mechanical seal* The outside of an object, not necessarily enclosing the object** Album cover** Book cover, or magazine cover** CD and DVD packaging...
ed a Siouxsie and the Banshees song, "Kiss Them for Me".
The band was awarded International Bet of the Year (Aposta Internacional) at the 2010 MTV Video Music Brasil.
On October 12, 2010, it was announced via their Facebook page that Claudia Deheza had left the band due to personal reasons.
On November 14, 2011, it was announced (in an interview with Stereogum) that their third album, Ghostory, would be released in spring of 2012.
Albums
- AlpinismsAlpinismsAlpinisms is a debut album by School of Seven Bells. It was originally released on October 28, 2008 through Ghostly International, and re-released on July 14, 2009 through Vagrant Records in the U.S. Vagrant also released the Deluxe Edition featuring 9 bonus tracks on October 13, 2009.-Track...
(2008) - Disconnect from DesireDisconnect from DesireDisconnect From Desire is the second album by School of Seven Bells. It was released on July 12, 2010 through Full Time Hobby, and re-released on July 13, 2010 through Vagrant Records/Ghostly International in the U.S. It debuted at #200 on the Billboard 200...
(2010) U.S. #200 - Ghostory (2012)
External links
- School of Seven Bells Official Website
- Guardian UKThe GuardianThe Guardian, formerly known as The Manchester Guardian , is a British national daily newspaper in the Berliner format...
review of My Cabal - PUNKCAST1130 Live video from Tonic NYC on Mar 31 2007. (RealPlayerRealPlayerRealPlayer is a cross-platform media player by RealNetworks that plays a number of multimedia formats including MP3, MPEG-4, QuickTime, Windows Media, and multiple versions of proprietary RealAudio and RealVideo formats.-History:...
, mp4) - [ School of Seven Bells on AllMusic.com]
- School of Seven Bells Alpinisms Review
- Interview with Benjamin Curtis of School of Seven Bells on musicOMHMusicOMHmusicOMH is a United Kingdom-based website which publishes independent reviews, featues and interviews from across all musical genres including classical, metal, rock and R&B.-History:...
- SPIN's Review of Alpinisms
- SUPERSWEET interview with all members of School of Seven Bells, November 2008
- November 2008 Interview with L.A. RecordL.A. RecordL.A. Record is an independent music magazine originally published weekly as a broadsheet poster. The poster usually depicts a local Los Angeles musicians and according to the magazine editors is meant to recreate an iconic album cover. In March 2008, it began publishing as a monthly magazine with a...
- Latest School Of Seven Bells news at Daily Music Guide
- Interview with Alejandra Deheza of School of Seven Bells on HEAVEmedia
- School of Seven Bells Spin (magazine)Spin (magazine)Spin is a music magazine founded in 1985 by publisher Bob Guccione Jr.-History:In its early years, the magazine was noted for its broad music coverage with an emphasis on college-oriented rock music and on the ongoing emergence of hip-hop. The magazine was eclectic and bold, if sometimes haphazard...
- Interview with School of Seven Bells for www.4ortherecord.com in May 2009
- 2009 Interview with SPINearth.tv
- School of Seven Bells Article on LuxIlluminates.com, May 2010
- Interview with SVIIB, July 2010
- Interview with Alejandra Deheza on Disconnect From Desire (Track-by-Track), September 2010
- Interview with School of Seven Bells at artistxite, October 2010