School of Seven Bells Post "Lafaye" from Upcoming Disc "Ghostory" (out Feb. 28th on Vagrant)

School of Seven Bells - Lafaye by Vagrant Records

School of Seven Bells have just posted the first official single, “Lafaye”, from their upcoming third CD, Ghostory. The track will be available as a single through all digital retailers on Tuesday, January 17th, along with an exclusive b-side titled "Love From A Stone."

School Of Seven Bells' third release, Ghostory, comes out February 28 on Vagrant Records/Ghostly International. Recorded in-between tours, Ghostory exemplifies a fervent progression of SVIIB’s growth as artists, preserving the common themes found on their last two releases but exposing them in different fashions. The familiar ethereal and enigmatic tones are omnipresent, surrounded by layers of influences from ‘80s pop, shoegaze and ambient electronic sounds. However, Ghostory comes with a story in mind; the tale of a young girl named Lafaye and the ghosts that surround her life.

“Everyone has ghosts”, says Alejandra Deheza; “They're every love you've ever had, every hurt, every betrayal, every heartbreak. They follow you, stay with you.” This detailed storytelling is evident from start to finish on the record, weaving a tale that moves between a fervent synthesized adventure and spacious lyrical euphoria. Tracks like “Love Play” and “Show Me Love” create a hauntingly indelible atmosphere that grab attention with the ambitious wordplay in the center of it all. Surrounding tracks like “Lafaye” and “Scavenger” entice the vibe of previous School of Seven Bells releases with their steadily dance-centric tempo and uplifting melodic progressions. Ghostory flows seamlessly and effortlessly, a result of the shared songwriting process.

School of Seven Bells is playing Feb. 28 and Mar. 1st at Mercury Lounge but both shows are already sold out.

Links:
School of Seven Bells

School of Seven Bells Announce Third Disc, "Ghostory", Out Feb. 28th (Vagrant Records / Ghostly International)

School Of Seven Bells are back with their third release, Ghostory, out February 28 on Vagrant Records/Ghostly Inernational. The highly-anticipated album finds the band’s lineup has evolved along with the music; formerly a trio, the band is now a duo: guitarist / producer Benjamin Curtis and vocalist Alejandra Deheza

Recorded in-between tours, Ghostory exemplifies a fervent progression of SVIIB’s growth as artists, preserving the common themes found on their last two releases but exposing them in different fashions. The familiar ethereal and enigmatic tones are omnipresent, surrounded by layers of influences from ‘80s pop, shoegaze and ambient electronic sounds. However, Ghostory comes with a story in mind; the tale of a young girl named Lafaye and the ghosts that surround her life.

“Everyone has ghosts”, says Alejandra Deheza; “They're every love you've ever had, every hurt, every betrayal, every heartbreak. They follow you, stay with you.” This detailed storytelling is evident from start to finish on the record, weaving a tale that moves between a fervent synthesized adventure and spacious lyrical euphoria. Tracks like “Love Play” and “Show Me Love” create a hauntingly indelible atmosphere that grab attention with the ambitious wordplay in the center of it all. Surrounding tracks like “Lafaye” and “Scavenger” entice the vibe of previous School of Seven Bells releases with their steadily dance-centric tempo and uplifting melodic progressions. Ghostory flows seamlessly and effortlessly, a result of the shared songwriting process.

“Ghostory is our most collaborative music to date,” describes Benjamin Curtis, “Alley (Alejandra) and I have always written our music together, but always independently and on our own time. We knew we wanted to do something that was more sensual and spontaneous than anything we had ever done before, and that meant writing together in a room, coming up with ideas quickly and immediately reacting to what the other person was doing.” Within Ghostory, the story of both Lafaye’s and the band’s journey will be told.

The band premiered some of these songs live at a late Summer show at Cameo Gallery in Brooklyn.



School Of Seven Bells formed in 2006 as a trio (including Claudia Deheza) and released their debut full-length, Alpinisms, on Ghostly International in 2008. The group’s appeal grew exponentially, with their signature sounds stemming from pieces of electronic subgenres and shoegaze bands before them. By 2010, the group released the critically acclaimed Disconnect From Desire on Ghostly International and Vagrant. Ghostory is truly their defining work, beautifully crafted and haunting, with the story of Lafaye permeating the psyche long after the music stops.

Ghostory Tracklist:
01 The Night
02 Love Play
03 Lafaye
04 Low Times
05 Reappear
06 Show Me Love
07 Scavenger
08 White Wind
09 When You Sing

Links:
School of Seven Bells

School of Seven Bells - Live Download of "Windstorm" // Live Performance on Baeblemusic

DOWNLOAD: School of Seven Bells - "Windstorm" (Live)
Note to RIAA Weenies - Live track cleared through Vagrant; go look for illegal Lady Gaga downloads elsewhere



School of Seven Bells is playing Brooklyn Bowl this Thursday, Sept. 9th. Tickets are $5 in advance and $7 at the door. The show will likely sell out in advance so buy your tickets now.

Links:
School of Seven Bells

School of Seven Bells Release "Disconnect From Desire" Tomorrow (Vagrant) // First Track Available As Free Download

DOWNLOAD: School of Seven Bells - "Windstorm"
DOWNLOAD: School of Seven Bells - Live on WNYC Soundcheck

(photo by Abbey Drucker)
"The lyrics revolve around perception and expectation, fate and few will, with the occasional blush of poetic overstatement. Now and then, though, the band unfurls a plain-spoken sentiment. There isn't likely to be a more graceful breakup song this year than 'I L U,' or a more tersely affecting." - New York Times

Indie-pop trio School of Seven Bells are releasing their sophomore album Disconnect from Desire tomorrow on Vagrant Records/Ghostly International. Produced by band member Benjamin Curtis and mixed by Jack Joseph Puig, the album was recorded in the band's home studio and mixed in Los Angeles at Ocean Way Recording. The follow-up to 2008's Alpinisms, Disconnect from Desire is a tremendous leap forward, evident in all elements of the band's intricate sound. The unique experience of playing live allowed the band to step out of their sometimes-insular creative process and explore a newfound connectivity with listeners.

School of Seven Bells kickoff a headlining tour in September and here are the upcoming tour dates:

September 09 - Brooklyn Bowl - Brooklyn, NY
September 11 - Middle East Downstairs - Cambridge, MA
September 12 - Club Metronome - Burlington, VT
September 13 - La Sala Rossa - Montreal, QB
September 15 - Mod Club - Toronto, ON
September 16 - Blind Pig - Ann Arbor, MI
September 17 - Lincoln Hall - Chicago, IL
September 18 - Majestic Theatre - Madison, WI
September 19 - 7th St. Entry - Minneapolis, MN
September 20 - Blue Moose Tap House - Iowa City, IA
September 21 - Waiting Room - Omaha, NE
September 23 - Record Bar - Kansas City, MO
September 24 - Larimer Lounge - Denver, CO
September 25 - Urban Lounge - Salt Lake City, UT
September 27 - Neumos - Seattle, WA
September 28 - Biltmore Cabaret - Vancouver, BC
September 29 - Doug Fir Lounge - Portland, OR
September 30 - Independent - San Francisco, CA
October 1 - Echoplex - Los Angeles, CA
October 2 - Detroit Bar - Costa Mesa, CA
October 3 - The Loft- San Diego, CA
October 5 - Plush - Tucson, AZ
October 6 - Launchpad -- Albuquerque, NM
October 8 - Hailey's -- Denton, TX
October 9 - Mohawk - Austin, TX
October 10 - Warehouse Live - Houston, TX
October 11 - Spanish Moon - Baton Rouge, LA
October 12 - Club Downunder - Tallahassee, FL
October 14 - Crowbar - Tampa, FL
October 15 - The Social - Orlando, FL
October 16 - Grand Central - Miami, FL
October 18 - The Earl - Atlanta, GA
October 19 - Local 506 - Chapel Hill, NC
October 20 - Ottobar - Baltimore, MD
October 21 - Rock and Roll Hotel - Washington, DC
October 22 - Johnny Brendas - Philadelphia, PA

Links:
School of Seven Bells

School of Seven Bells Plays Two Nights in June at Mercury Lounge / New Album in July

DOWNLOAD: School of Seven Bells - "Babelonia" (from Disconnect From Desire)

Shoe-gazer, ambient rock band School of Seven Bells have announced the July 13th release of their sophomore album Disconnect from Desire, on Vagrant/Ghostly International and Full Time Hobby in Europe. The album, produced by band member Benjamin Curtis and mixed by Jack Joseph Puig, was recorded in the band’s home studio and mixed in Los Angeles at Ocean Way Recording.

Disconnect from Desire is a tremendous leap forward for the band musically, evident in all elements of their intricate and multi-layered sound. Further, the unique experience of playing live allowed them to step out of their sometimes-insular creative process, and to discover and explore a newfound connectivity with listeners. This connection to the external world is reflected throughout the new album and indicative of the trio’s development. “From the start, we knew we wanted to make a record that connected on more of a direct and personal level than we ever had before,” says Curtis, “It's a complete account of our lives this past year, and it's crazy how taking an honest look at yourself can tell you the most about the world around you."

In support of this upcoming release, the three-piece band will play two shows at Mercury Lounge on June 9th and 10th. Tickets for each night are $12 in advance and $14 DOS. School of Seven Bells are playing with Maus Haus on June 9th and ArpLine and Warm Ghost on June 10th.

School of Seven Bells, composed of Benjamin Curtis (formerly of Secret Machines) and identical twins Alejandra and Claudia Deheza, (formerly of On!Air!Library!) released their debut album Alpinisms in 2008. Paste Magazine called it “a psychedelic excursion anchored by beautiful, winding melodies and entrancing synth backdrops as bright and buoyant as a wall of clouds.”

Upcoming Tour Dates:
Jun. 09 2010 -- Mercury Lounge, New York
Jun. 10, 2010 -- Mercury Lounge, New York
Jul. 13, 2010 -- Molotow, Hamburg, Germany
Jul. 18, 2010 -- Thekla, Bristol, England
Jul. 19, 2010 -- Ruby Lounge, Manchester, England
Jul. 20, 2010 -- Scala, London, England

Links:
School of Seven Bells

The Secret Machines Play Glasslands Gallery Tonight, Feb. 19th

DOWNLOAD: The Secret Machines - "Like I Can"

This should be a big show tonight - The Secret Machines are playing Glassland Gallery with Bear in Heaven, Mon Khmer, Noveller and Papa. The show starts at 9PM and cover is $15 ($12 reduced cover if you RSVP to rsvp@popgunbooking.com).

Earlier this month, The Secret Machines released a new two-song single "Like I Can / Terrible Light". (Click the cover to go to iTunes) The single is out on the band's own label, TSM Recordings, and both tracks were recorded at The Magic Shop and mixed at Electric Lady in NYC.

Here is a live version of the b-side of the new single, "Terrible Light", that was recorded last year at a show at Santos Party House.



Links:
The Secret Machines

The Secret Machines Release New Single "Like I Can" (TSM Recordings)

DOWNLOAD: The Secret Machines - "Like I Can"

Earlier this week, The Secret Machines released a new two-song single "Like I Can / Terrible Light". (Click the cover to go to iTunes) The single is out on the band's own label, TSM Recordings, and both tracks were recorded at The Magic Shop and mixed at Electric Lady in NYC.

When talking about "Like I Can", Brandon Curtis said "This song was conceived as a conversation. You know, some of my best conversations have been held between me and myself. Not that I feel particularly anti-social or anything. It's just that when operating as both parties, one tends to have more patience for revision. Editing for content and language. Balancing intensity of emotion with just the right amount of logic. Anyway, as you might have guessed this practice has resulted in many missed opportunities. So, this is it. Spilled out like a cracked wine glass. Me at my most persuasive? Perhaps not, but it's a start."

Links:
The Secret Machines

Secret Machines Plays Four Week Residency at Annex Starting Wednesday

This looks pretty darn cool - Secret Machines is doing a four week residency at Annex starting this Wednesday.







Secret Machines, who are now down to including just Josh and Brandon, will be playing new tracks from their forthcoming album and there are supossed to be a bunch of special guest artists each night.

Tickets are only $15 for each night and are surprisingly still available.

Links:
Secret Machines Website
Secret Machines MySpace page
Tickets for Annex shows @ Ticketweb