Chill Beats for Your Shoegazing Soul

School of Seven Bells is an electronic indie three piece who mesh elements of dream pop and shoegaze into their music. The band was formed in 2004 by Benjamin Curtis (Secret Machines) along with identical twins Alejandra and Claudia Deheza, formerly of On-Air Library!. According to their info page on Ghostly International (band's label), SVIIB (as those in the know call them) got their name after Alejandra discovered a 3 AM airing of a PBS show about the School of Seven Bells. Apparently, they were a mythical, yet-to-be-disproven South American pickpocket academy that may have existed in the '80s. The thought of "seven minds working as one appealed to her, as did the phrase’s cryptic musicality" and thus, the nucleus of creativity was spawned. (Source:http://ghostly.com/artists/school-of-seven-bells)

The group's full length debut, Alpinisms, explores the heights and depths of electronica. The album was released last October. Curtis overlays the double time, ethereal vocals of the Deheza sisters with multi-layered rhythms and beats as well as undulating guitar riffs. Tracks like "Face to Face on High Places", "Half Asleep" and "Connjur" (my own personal Everything But The Girl-styled jam) have a new rave quality to them and show that dance music need not be bouncy and high octane. After a string of EP's and single releases, SVIIB seem poised to capture the indie music landscape, one raver at a time.

Place Indieface Artist - April 3rd

A Place Indieface Artist you must associate yourself with is Bad Veins from Cincinnati, Ohio. Bad Veins consists of multi-functional vocalist/guitarist Ben Davis and drummer Sebastien Schultz. The twosome play their style of electro indie rock "backed by a reel-to-reel player that runs everything from keyboards to full orchestral sounds", according to an interview done with hometown publication, CityBeat. They call their unofficial third bandmate, "Irene".

Around since 2006, but mainly buzzed about since playing at SXSW last year, Bad Veins has recorded their first full length album, yet to be released. They have a quirky appeal to the steadfast performances surrounding their thought-provoking lyrics. Songs like "Falling Tide" and "Gold and Warm" make you groove out and listen up at the same time. Check out their MySpace and their personal website for songs and news concerning their music.

A Few Tunes You Need to Put Indieface

Hear a hard edged, head boppin', raucous, rockin' out tune full of pop catchiness in O Shot by The Gay Blades. The song is off their debut album, Ghosts, out since last September and was released via 4Never Records through Triple Crown. They've been described as "trash pop", but any way you look at them, this is definitely a song worth investing in right now.

A band I'm really looking forward to hearing more stuff from is alt-indie band Company of Thieves from Chicago after hearing their song Oscar Wilde off their album Ordinary Riches, out since February. The lead vocals of Genevieve Schatz contain that "thing" that Suzanne Vega, Jenny Lewis, or Edie Brickell have when they sing.

Ok, the name got my attention, but the song kept me there. Having played at SXSW (their first shows outside of Europe), Dananananaykroyd from Glasgow, Scotland and their experimental, indie rock jam, Black Wax (which you can hear at their MySpace), garnered some buzz after the showcase in Austin. This tune is hand clappin' poppy goodness in the vain of Los Campesinos! and Tokyo Police Club. The track is off Hey Everyone!, the sextet's full length, debut album due out in April.

Finally today, I give you by All Too Well by Poorfolk outta Ontario, Canada. This chill groove of a throwback sounding song mimics the progressive rock stylings of bands who became popular in indie music in the mid to late 90's. They combine classic rock and alternative rock for their second indie rock album, Our Burning Street, out since October of last year off White Whale Records.

Indieface Band to Watch: Gentleman Reg

Fusing catchy pop-rock hooks with melodic tones and an electro rock feel, Gentleman Reg is indie rock at its best. Throw in a mellow, acoustic jam and an upbeat, bouncy dance number here and there, and this band might be all you need for a busy week ahead.

Gentleman Reg is actually the work of Toronto singer-songwriter Reg Vermue on vocals and guitar, while featuring performances on his latest album from Greg Millson (Great Lake Swimmers) on drums/percussion, as well as Elizabeth Powell (Land of Talk) on backing vocals and Kelly McMichael on piano/keys. Out next Tuesday (February 24th) is his first release, Jet Black, off the same Canadian label, Arts & Crafts Records, that produces such indie stalwarts as Broken Social Scene and Feist, as well as need to know bands like Land of Talk, The Dears, Stars, and The Stills. This will be Gentleman Reg's fourth album in total, his first full length release since 2004's Darby and Joan.

The entire album is currently playing on Gentleman Reg's MySpace page. Some of my personal favorites include the percussion intro and beachy feel of "To Some It Comes Easy", the melodic strumming and head-moving tune, "You Can't Get It Back", and the club-pumping, dance diddy that is "We're In A Thunderstorm", but the whole album doesn't seem to disappoint; find out for yourself! The band will be making it's presence known at SXSW this year in Austin so check them out if you can!

Overall Rating: 7 out of 10

Folk Over Your Ears to Canada!

Today's indie music galaxy includes a brand of folk music ranging the likes of Jenny Lewis to M. Ward to Fleet Foxes. Canada represents nicely with The Acorn, who play an "experimental" sect of this kind of folksy acoustic indie pop. The Acorn hails from Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. The evolving project of a band currently consists of Rolf Klausener, Jeff Debutte, T. Jeffrey Malecki, Pat Johnson, and Howie Tsui. They first made a name for themselves in a mostly instrumental tribute to the Outaouais region of Canada with an album called The Pink Ghosts in July 2004.

After moving over to a Canadian indie stronghold label in Paper Bag Records, The Acorn first released the Tin Fist EP in November 2006 ("Dents" is spectacular) then Glory Hope Mountain in October 2007, which they say is “part biographical narrative, part surreal fairy tale", in hopes of reaching a wider range of listeners. The album stands as a primarily acoustic piece of indie flavored folk music aimed at honoring Klausener's mother. "Flood Pt. 1" and "Crooked Legs" are excellent tracks to gauge your level of interest in the band. The flavor entering your ears will cause you to bob your head along or reflect openly on the movement you feel within your being. This is what good indie folk is supposed to do.

Newly out this Tuesday (February 17th) is an all-live compilation featuring "hard-to-find" tracks, older demos of LP songs, and a couple of blog radio, in-studio performances. Heron Act is for fans of The Acorn who have not had the opportunity to hear them live, but want to experience the folksy goodness any way they can. Keep an ear out for their live shows coming back to the States after they complete a winter UK tour.

Indieface Band to Watch: Harlem

Harlem
Self-described as thrash, the melodic beach rock of Harlem grabs your innards and commands you to shake it. This Austin, TX duo brings on the head-bobbing soul rock in "South of France". "Beautiful and Very Smart" evokes late 50's style rock-n-roll with a modern indie edge. Listen up for them coming to a city near you!

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