Sleigh Bells (band)

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Sleigh Bells
Sleigh Bells at Prudential Center.jpg
Alexis Krauss of Sleigh Bells performing at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey on May 4, 2012
Background information
Origin Brooklyn, New York, U.S.
Genres Noise pop, indie rock, dance-punk, synthpunk, digital hardcore, experimental[1]
Years active 2008–present
Labels Mom+Pop, N.E.E.T.
Associated acts Poison the Well, RubyBlue
Website reignofterror.tv
Members Derek E. Miller
Alexis Krauss
Jason Boyer (touring)

Sleigh Bells is an American noise pop musical duo from Brooklyn, New York, formed in 2008. The duo consists of Alexis Krauss (vocals) and Derek Edward Miller (guitar). After signing to N.E.E.T. Recordings and Mom+Pop,[2] Sleigh Bells released their debut album, Treats, on May 11, 2010. Their follow-up album, Reign of Terror, was released on February 21, 2012.

Contents

[edit] History

[edit] Background and formation

Both members of Sleigh Bells had previous experience performing and touring in a musical ensemble. From age seventeen to twenty-two, Florida native Derek Miller was a guitarist in the hardcore band Poison the Well. He last performed on the band's 2003 major-label debut You Come Before You, leaving the following year due to creative differences. He wrote songs while working as a waiter or barback in various cities across the United States.[3][4] Alexis Krauss grew up in New Jersey and has a background in theater and television. As a young girl she appeared in a Nickelodeon Magazine commercial and winked at the camera.[5] From age twelve to sixteen, Krauss performed in the teen pop group RubyBlue. After RubyBlue broke up, Krauss went to college (majoring in political science), taught Spanish to elementary school children in The Bronx and performed at weddings on the side for fun.[3][4]

In March 2008, Miller moved to Brooklyn to find a female vocalist for some song demos he was working on. In April 2008 he started working at Miss Favela—a Brazilian bistro in Williamsburg, Brooklyn—and in July 2008, Krauss and her mother dined at the restaurant. Miller expressed his interest in finding a female vocalist for his new project and Krauss was immediately volunteered by her mother. The two met in a park and listened to Miller's demos through headphones.[3][4] In a 2012 interview, Krauss remembered her first impressions, saying: "Derek's music sounded like a really interesting challenge, but I wasn't thinking he was somebody I wanted to develop a creative relationship with."[3] Krauss was pursuing a Rhodes Scholarship at the time, but decided to join forces with Miller instead.[4]

[edit] 2009: Sleigh Bells EP

The duo performed at the CMJ Music Marathon in October 2009.[6] They signed to M.I.A.'s N.E.E.T. Recordings soon after and Mom + Pop Records.[2] The two quickly got in the studio and recorded a seven-track self-titled EP. Their EP soon gained attention from The Guardian, The New York Times, Pitchfork Media, ABC News's Amplified, and other sources. Stereogum named them a Band To Watch October 22, 2009.[7] The Guardian named them Band of the Day in December 2009.[8] Their song "Crown on the Ground" was named the fifty-seventh best track of 2009 by Pitchfork Media.[9] Miller recorded the track "Meds and Feds" with M.I.A. from the album Maya towards the end of 2009, and began recording Treats with Krauss in 2010. "Rill Rill" uses a sample from Funkadelic's "Can You Get to That".

[edit] 2010–11: Treats

The group released "Tell 'Em", the first single from their debut album, Treats, as a free download in April 2010.[10] Treats was released on May 11, 2010 exclusively through the iTunes Store by Mom + Pop Music.[11] They performed at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in April 2010 and 2011,[12] the Primavera Sound Festival in May 2010,[13] and the Pitchfork Music Festival in July 2010. The track "Rill Rill" from the album Treats was featured on the fourth episode of the fourth season of Gossip Girl, titled "Touch of Eva". The song "Kids" off of the album Treats was used in an advert for Koppaberg and the promo for MTV's North American adaption of the British series Skins. Music videos were shot for the songs "Infinity Guitars" and "Rill Rill". "Infinity Guitars" was also used in commercials for Windows Phone.[14] The song "Kids" is featured in the preview for the upcoming movie Pain & Gain.[15] Their song "Crown on the Ground" was featured in a commercial for Dr Pepper[16] and the trailer for the upcoming 2013 movie The Bling Ring.[17]

[edit] 2012–present: Reign of Terror

Sleigh Bells began tracking songs for their second studio album in June 2011. Describing the sound of the new album, Krauss said, "It sounds really huge, so there's going to still be tons of volume."[18]

On December 2, 2011, the band's website began to link to a Vimeo video.[19] It served as a teaser trailer for the upcoming album, revealing the title to be Reign of Terror. There was no release date or any other information attached to the trailer. The trailer features scenes of Krauss sitting at a vanity mirror, grooming herself, interspersed with various backstage and live concert footage, as well as footage depicting the band's touring. During the duration of the video, a riff plays in the background and serves as the only sound. This has not been featured on any songs yet.[20]

On December 7, 2011, the band announced via press release the date of the album's release and the track listing. The band's publicist said of the upcoming release, "[The album features] songs that are as crushing and authoritative as their title suggests; they're effortlessly robust and heavier than any of the band's previous output ... the sonic equivalent of a beautiful shotgun to the head."[21] The album's promotional single, "Born to Lose", was released on December 15, 2011. In an interview with webzine Coup De Main, Krauss was quoted as saying that Reign of Terror is "a much more personal record".[22]

The album was originally set to be released on February 14, 2012, but was pushed back to February 21.[23]

Along with the announcement of the release date and track listing, Sleigh Bells also announced a tour of strictly Floridian venues.[24] This tour preceded the release of the album.

Sleigh Bells were the musical guest on the February 18, 2012 episode of Saturday Night Live, performing the songs "Comeback Kid" and "End of the Line".

In October 2012 Sleigh Bells kicked off their North American Tour with Araabmuzik at the Capitol Theatre in Port Chester, New York.[25]

Also in 2012, Sleigh Bells appeared in the film Premium Rush, where they performed live the song "Crown on the Ground".[26]

Only a few months after the release of Reign of Terror, Sleigh Bells began writing a third studio album for a possible 2013 release.[27][28] The album is expected to have more writing from Krauss and will feature cleaner sound with more emphasis on melody.[29]

[edit] Discography

[edit] Studio albums

Year Title Peak chart positions
US
[30]		 US
Rock
[30]		 US
Indie
[30]		 US
Alt.
[30]		 UK
[31]
2010 Treats 39 16 4 13 —
2012 Reign of Terror
  • Released: February 21, 2012
  • Label: Mom+Pop (#50)
  • Formats: CD, LP
 12 3 1 2 48

[edit] Extended plays

Year Title
2009 Sleigh Bells
  • Released: December 6, 2009
  • Label: Self-released

[edit] Singles

Year Song Album
2010 "Tell 'Em" Treats
"Infinity Guitars"
2011 "Riot Rhythm"
2012 "Comeback Kid" Reign of Terror

[edit] Music videos

Year Song Director
2010 "Infinity Guitars"[32] Phil Pinto[33]
"Riot Rhythm"[34] Bo Mirosseni
2011 "Rill Rill"[35] Jon Watts[36]
2012 "Comeback Kid"[37] Derek Miller, Gregory Kohn[38][39][40]
"Demons"
"End of the Line"

[edit] References

  1. ^ Leahey, Andrew. Sleigh Bells biography Allmusic. Retrieved on December 23, 2012.
  2. ^ a b Wilhelm, Alex (March 16, 2010). "Sleigh Bells sign to N.E.E.T. and Mom + Pop". Crazed Hits. Retrieved May 16, 2010. 
  3. ^ a b c d Marchese, David (March/April 2012). "Bringin' on the Heartbreak". Spin: 54–61, 108. ISSN 0886-3032. Retrieved March 29, 2012. 
  4. ^ a b c d Ryzik, Melena (February 14, 2012). "Enjoying the Sweet Pains of Success". The New York Times (The New York Times Company). Retrieved March 29, 2012. 
  5. ^ Dombal, Ryan (July 12, 2010). "Interviews: Sleigh Bells". Pitchfork Media. Retrieved July 22, 2010. 
  6. ^ Dombal, Ryan (October 24, 2009). "CMJ: Friday [The xx, Sleigh Bells]". Pitchfork Media. Retrieved May 16, 2010. 
  7. ^ Singh, Amrit (October 22, 2009). "Band To Watch: Sleigh Bells". Stereogum. Retrieved October 22, 2010. 
  8. ^ Lester, Paul (December 1, 2009). "New band of the day – No 680: Sleigh Bells". The Guardian. guardian.co.uk. Retrieved October 22, 2010. 
  9. ^ "The Top 100 Tracks of 2009". Pitchfork Media. December 14, 2009. Retrieved May 16, 2010. 
  10. ^ Saba, Michael (April 29, 2010). "Listen to Sleigh Bells' First Single "Tell 'Em"". Paste. Retrieved April 30, 2010. 
  11. ^ "Sleigh Bells reveal debut album's tracklist". FACT. April 29, 2010. Retrieved May 16, 2010. 
  12. ^ Martens, Todd (March 31, 2010). "Coachella, beyond the main stage: Sleigh Bells can ring a racket". Los Angeles Times. Tribune Company. Retrieved April 1, 2010. 
  13. ^ "Ola's Kool Kitchen Sleigh Bells live set Primavera 2010". Internet Archive. Retrieved 2012-11-23. 
  14. ^ Voerding, Brian. What's that Song From the Windows Phone 'What If' Commercial? spinner.com. May 6, 2011. Retrieved on December 23, 2012.
  15. ^ http://songspub.com/News/969
  16. ^ http://songspub.com/News/971
  17. ^ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GkfxKYIyni8
  18. ^ Helton, Eric; Murphy, Matthew (May 13, 2011). "Sleigh Bells: Reveal details of their next album". Rolling Stone. Wenner Media. Retrieved May 14, 2011. 
  19. ^ "Sleigh Bells – Reign of Terror". Reignofterror.tv. Retrieved 2012-11-23. 
  20. ^ Montgomery, James (December 2, 2011). "Sleigh Bells To Return With Reign Of Terror". MTV News. MTV Networks. Retrieved December 9, 2011. 
  21. ^ Montgomery, James (December 8, 2011). "Sleigh Bells' Reign Of Terror Drops On Valentine's Day". MTV News. MTV Networks. Retrieved December 9, 2011. 
  22. ^ Graves, Shahlin (February 24, 2012). "Interview: SLEIGH BELLS' ALEXIS KRAUSS on 'Reign Of Terror'.". Coup De Main. Retrieved March 5, 2012. 
  23. ^ Pelly, Jenn (January 3, 2012). "New Sleigh Bells Album Pushed Back". Pitchfork Media. Retrieved January 7, 2012. 
  24. ^ Corban (December 7, 2011). "Sleigh Bells Announce Tour, Reign Of Terror Tracklist". Stereogum. Retrieved December 9, 2011. 
  25. ^ "Nymn". Nymn.com. October 8, 2012. Retrieved October 8, 2012. 
  26. ^ "‘Premium Rush’ review — Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Michael Shannon - Movieline". Retrieved 6 April 2013. 
  27. ^ Carlick, Stephen (April 11, 2012). "Alexis Krauss Speaks Up About Sleigh Bells' Longevity and Their Third Album". Exclaim!. Retrieved May 8, 2012. 
  28. ^ Vozick-Levinson, Simon (May 4, 2012). "Sleigh Bells Bring the Noise on Spring Tour". Rolling Stone. Wenner Media. Retrieved May 15, 2012. 
  29. ^ Hogan, Marc (November 1, 2012). "Sleigh Bells Plan Cleaner, More Melodic Album for 2013". Spin. Buzz Media. Retrieved November 2, 2012. 
  30. ^ a b c d Sleigh Bells Album & Song Chart History | Billboard.com. Retrieved September 12, 2012.
  31. ^ SLEIGH BELLS | Artist | Official Charts. Retrieved September 12, 2012.
  32. ^ "Infinity Guitars". MTV. Viacom. September 21, 2010. Retrieved September 13, 2012.  Text " Sleigh Bells " ignored (help); Text " Music Video" ignored (help)
  33. ^ Watch: Sleigh Bells Unleash “Infinity Guitars” Video. Retrieved September 13, 2012.
  34. ^ Schnipper, Matthew. Video: Sleigh Bells, "Riot Rhythm". thefader.com. November 12, 2010. Retrieved on December 23, 2012.
  35. ^ "Rill Rill". MTV. Viacom. January 27, 2011. Retrieved September 13, 2012.  Text " Sleigh Bells " ignored (help); Text " Music Video" ignored (help)
  36. ^ Video: Sleigh Bells: "Rill Rill" | News | Pitchfork. Retrieved September 13, 2012.
  37. ^ Sleigh Bells – “Comeback Kid” Video – Stereogum. Retrieved September 14, 2012.
  38. ^ Mapes, Jillian. Track Review: Sleigh Bells, 'Comeback Kid'. billboard.com. January 23, 2012. Retrieved September 11, 2012.
  39. ^ Sleigh Bells Unleash Explosive Diplo Remix, 'Demons' Video | SPIN | SPIN Mix | Songs. Retrieved September 11, 2012.
  40. ^ Video: Sleigh Bells: "End of the Line" | News | Pitchfork. Retrieved September 12, 2012.

[edit] External links

Sleigh Bells
Studio albums
EP
Singles
Related
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