“Shoegaze” maybe one of my favorite genres if not for the number of great bands who categorize themselves that way then because its probably one of the most litteral ways to describe a band’s music as some of the songs you really just want to close your eyes, hang your head and sway it to the music appearing to anyone around you as though you were staring at your footwear.
School of Seven Bells is one of these indie electro, shoegaze bands. Created by the joining of forces by Benjamin Curtis of Secret Machines fame and Alejandra and Claudia Deheza formerly of On! Air! Library! the band got their name from a PBS show about a mythical South American pickpocket training academy.
Their sound is breathy female vocals with funky beats, dreamy synths, guitars and a menagerie of sounds that just adds to the dreamy factor. Their big song is Half Asleep which has a very flowy psychedelic feel with airy singing and a fun and head bopping beat. Lyrics are abstract but meaningful. The songs title seems fitting as the Deheza sisters are said to be lucid dreamers.
Their debut album, Alpinisms, was released in October and they are currently on tour with M83.
-Alx
MP3| Half Asleep – School of Seven Bells
MP3| Connjur – School of Seven Bells
MP3| Chain – School of Seven Bells
