Indie Intro: 5 Things You Need To Know About Sleigh Bells
Did anyone check out the Hard Fest in NYC this weekend? Whether you went to see M.I.A. or Theophilus London, hopefully you didn't miss Sleigh Bells killing it during their own set. Regardless of the buzz the Brooklyn duo has accumulated in less than year, though, we imagine a few of you still don't know what the noise-pop band is all about. After all the hype, their full-length debut, Treats, actually delivered on the promise of early demos. You never know with buzz bands, but we'd like to think that these two will be around for a while. Click on to learn some basics about their background in this week's Indie Intro...
They Met At A Restaurant
It was Summer 2008. Derek Miller was waiting tables at a Brazilian restaurant in Brooklyn, the result of his failed attempt at success with hardcore band Poison The Well. Alexis Krauss, teaching fourth grade in the Bronx at the time, was having a meal with her mother. Derek mentioned that he was looking for a female vocalist and Alexis' mother volunteered her. The two got in touch, started working together, and the rest is history.
Alexis Was A Child Performer
Yeah, the Sleigh Bells vocalist made an appearance in the classic Nickelodeon Magazine commercial above. During her teen years she was part of the teenybopper girl group Rubyblue, but that never amounted to much.
Singles Built Their Buzz
Treats
LISTEN:
Their Live Shows Are Awesome
This might seem like a basic observation, but Sleigh Bells concerts get talked up just as much as their fuzzed-out sound. "Touring is a hardcore commitment," Derek told Spinner. He keeps his word too, choosing to stay away from the excesses associated with the rock 'n roll lifestyle. "I keep my stuff together because I am there to play music." We would have never guessed it the way Derek shreds through guitars while Alexis thrashes about practically screaming lyrics, but that makes their live set even doper.