Written by Fense
In 2007, Ben Curtis left Secret Machines, but he had a plan. His plan was to focus on his new project with former On!Air!Library! twins Alejandra and Claudia Deheza. That project is titled School Of Seven Bells (MySpace). While the band has toured with groups like Blond Redhead (you can hear the similarities, though they’re a bit of a stretch at times as School of Seven Bells is a bit more electronic), their sound is notably closer to M83.
So, it should come as no surprise that they’ll be touring the states this fall with M83, hitting the Pacific Northwest this November: Seattle at Neumos on the 25th, Vancouver (BC) at Richard’s On Richards on the 26th, and Portland at Doug Fir Lounge on the 27th.
My introduction to the band came when I spotted the limited print 12″ EP Face To Face On High Places in a used bin. I snagged up the gem quickly, cherishing the clear 12-inch spherical plate. Mixed with the twins’ vocals, the tunes sounded slightly strange but good nonetheless.
Now School Of Seven Bells is back with a new album, Alpinisms, out October 28 on Ghostly International and the first single, “Half Asleep”, is available for pre-order here.
Listening to Alpinisms is much like listening to a dream, could you slip inside someone’s head while they sleep pleasantly. The music, as mentioned above, blends unique dual female vocals with electronic elements. While “Half Asleep” will be the first single — and rightfully so… the song is amazingly catchy and mellow and all-around great — “Connjur” is the one available for public consumption now and I’ve included it below.
Keep your eye out for Alpinisms, coming this fall.
