Railbird Posts School of Seven Bells Remix of "MIRRORs" as a Free Download

DOWNLOAD: Railbird - "MIRRORs" (Posted on Consequence of Sound)

Brooklyn-based experimental psych-rock band Railbird is excited to premiere a new School of Seven Bells remix of their recent single "MIRRORs" on Consequence of Sound. To Railbird, the remix is "A journey in three movements. Benjamin [of SVIIB] established his own dreamy world within the song, then dropped it while simultaneously playing with mood and meaning throughout." Consequence agrees, stating the Benjamin's methodically slowed down version of the original jittery cut creates a "dreamy pool of contemplative reverberation and airy synth."

Railbird released their latest EP, "Lucky", in late November which includes two previously unreleased songs, as well as "Jump Ship," a track that made waves this summer after a residency at Pete's Candy Store. The video for the song, which features guest vocals from Anti recording artist Sean Rowe and Phantogram's Sarah Barthel, premiered on Brooklyn Vegan in late August.



A limited edition run of physical copies of "Lucky" will be available at shows and online as part of a bundle that includes a t-shirt with Jisoon Park's original design.

Railbird's next show is January 25th at Rockwood Music Hall. Railbird is playing with #1 Kid (feat. members of Rubblebucket), who are making their NYC debut. Tickets are $10.

Links:
Railbird

School of Seven Bells Post Remix from REWARDS (aka Aaron Pfenning) / Cover of Siouxsie's "Kiss Them For Me" out Apr. 20th

Vagrant Records just posted free download of a new School of Seven Bells remix on Soundcloud. This one comes from REWARDS, NYC producer and former Chairlift member Aaron Pfenning, and is a great take on SVIIB's "The Night." The original version of "The Night" (also posted above) is the lead track on SVIIB's new album Ghostory which just debuted last week and is available through iTunes, Amazon and all the traditional outlets.

To celebrate the release of Ghostory, School of Seven Bells played back-to-back sold out shows at Mercury Lounge.



School of Seven Bells will be releasing an exclusive 7” for Record Store Day on April 21. The new 7" will feature the band's unique take on Siouxsie and the Banshees’ “Kiss Them For Me,” as well as an unreleased SVIIB studio track called “When She Was Me.” These limited-edition tracks (only 1,000 7” singles will be pressed) will be available digitally on April 24 as well.

Links:
School of Seven Bells

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

Electric Low (shoegazer / indie-rock) Plays Free Show at Pub One in Brooklyn on September 25th

DOWNLOAD: Electric Low - "Broken Glass"

I've been working too many hours as of late so I don't get much of a chance to listen to new bands and, when I do, I've got the attention span of a gnat.

Virginia Beach shoegazers Electric Low managed to grab and hold my attention with the track "Broken Glass" from their forthcoming debut EP. The track combines lush instrumentation with compelling vocals and a slow-burn dance floor beat. The band has sort of a School of Seven Bells / Metric vibe. This initial track sold me on the band so I am looking forward to hearing the rest of the EP.

"Two landscapers and a community college student by day, by night Jonathan Anderson, Todd Bunting, and Monica Bjorklund are Electric Low. Melodic electronics, danceable beats, and a satisfying combination of energetic and tranquil guitars display influence from the likes of Stars, School of Seven Bells, and Metric. An Electric Low live show resembles a game of musical chairs, instruments swapped around every time the music stops. These three display an entertaining combination of light-hearted fun and concentrated intensity. Look for their debut e.p., "Speak How You Like," out next month."

Electric Low is playing a free show at Pub One in DUMBO (5 Front Street) on Sunday night along with Carl Vasile and The Vanity Belles.

Links:
Electric Low

BrooklynRocks Top 10 List for 2010

There were a lot of great releases this year so it was tough to pick only ten albums. After spending more time than I would have thought narrowing down the list, below is my 2010 Top-10 list (in no particular order):

01) The Art of Shooting – Traveling Show

02) Tim Kasher – The Game of Monogamy

03) Automatic Children – New Is Beautiful

04) Earth - A Bureaucratic Desire for Extra Capsular Extractions

05) The Canon Logic – FM Arcade

06) King Crimson – Islands (40th Anniversary Edition)

07) School of Seven Bells – Disconnect From Desire

08) Lissie – Catching A Tiger

09) J. Roddy Walston and the Business – Self-Titled

10) Early Graves – Goner

Happy New Year Everyone!

School of Seven Bells: Win a Copy of 'Heart is Strange' 7" // Show at Terminal 5 on Dec. 2nd

DOWNLOAD: School of Seven Bells - "I L U" (from Disconnect from Desire)

Win a copy of School of Seven Bells' new 7", "Heart is Strange" (which is backed with "Dust Devil" (White Sea Remix)!

Send your name and mailing address to Mike.BrooklynRocks at Gmail dot com. Winners will be selected at random on Friday, Nov. 26th.

School of Seven Bells are playing two local shows over the next few weeks. The first is a show at Zero Film Festival's Closing Night. This show takes place on Nov. 20th at Nutroaster Studios (120 Ingraham St., Brooklyn, NY 11237) and tickets are $12. The second show takes place on December 2nd. School of Seven Bells are supporting The Walkmen at Terminal 5 and tickets are $25 in advance and $30 DOS.

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

Vagrant Records SXSW Showcase is March 19th at La Zona Rosa

DOWNLOAD: Black Rebel Motorcycle Club - "Beat The Devil's Tattoo"
DOWNLOAD: J. Roddy Walston & the Business - "Brave Man's Death" and "I Don't Want to Hear It"
DOWNLOAD: School of Seven Bells - "Iamundernodisguise" (alt. take)
STREAM: Murder By Death - "The Day"

The SXSW madness begins...

Vagrant Records SXSW showcase is taking place next Friday night, March 19th, at La Zona Rose (612 W. 4th St., Austin, TX 78701) and features Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, Murder By Death, School of Seven Bells and J-Roddy Walston and The Business.

Links:
Black Rebel Motorcycle Club
Murder By Death
J-Roddy Walston & the Business
School of Seven Bells

School of Seven Bells Play Bowery Ballroom on June 12th

DOWNLOAD: School of Seven Bells - "Face to Face on High Places (Jesu Remix)" (MP3)

Brooklyn's School of Seven Bells are finishing up a May/June tour with a stop at Bowery Ballroom on June 12th. Sharing the bill are Violens and Apache Beat. Tickets are $15 and doors are at 8PM.

School of Seven Bells just released a third single, "My Cabal", from their debut disc Alpinisms. The band worked with director David Mullett on the video for "My Cabal" and they have come up with a roller-coaster take on the typical performance video.

Ben, Alley and Claudia will be taking the summer off to record new material and will be heading to Japan in the Fall for Summer Sonic Festival.

Links:
School of Seven Bells' MySpace Profile