Sleigh Bells (band)
Sleigh Bells are an American musical duo based in Brooklyn, New York, formed in 2008 and consisting of vocalist Alexis Krauss and guitarist/producer Derek E. Miller. They became known for their overdriven style of noise pop, which incorporates elements from various genres including pop, hip hop, metal, and punk.[1]
After signing to M.I.A.'s N.E.E.T. Recordings and the independent label Mom + Pop Music, Sleigh Bells released their debut album Treats (2010) to critical acclaim.[2] They followed with Reign of Terror (2012), Bitter Rivals (2013), and Jessica Rabbit (2016). Their fifth album, Texis, was released in September 2021.
History[edit]
Background and formation[edit]
The two members of Sleigh Bells—Derek Miller and Alexis Krauss—had previous experience performing and touring in a musical ensemble.[3] From age 17 to 22, Miller was a guitarist in the post-hardcore band Poison the Well. He played on the band's first three albums, but left in 2004, citing creative differences with the other band members as a key factor for his departure.[4] Krauss meanwhile has a background in theater and television. As a child she appeared in a Nickelodeon Magazine commercial, and starred in a community production of the musical Annie.[5] From age 12 to 16, Krauss performed in the teen pop group RubyBlue.[3] After RubyBlue broke up, Krauss went to college (majoring in political science), taught Spanish at an elementary school in The Bronx, and performed at weddings on the side for fun.[4]
In March 2008, Miller moved to New York City expressly to find a female vocalist for some song demos he was working on. "I'm just obsessed with female vocalists. I don't want to say I was really determined, but I was really determined," said Miller.[3] He began working at a Brazilian bistro in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, and in July, Krauss and her mother dined at the restaurant. Miller expressed his interest in finding a female vocalist for his new project and Krauss was volunteered by her mother. The two met in a park, where she listened to Miller's demos.[4] In a 2012 interview, Krauss recalled 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."[4] Krauss was pursuing a Rhodes Scholarship at the time, but decided to pair up with Miller instead.[3] The band name Sleigh Bells comes from the phrase Miller used to delineate CD-Rs with demos he had worked on.[6]
2009–2011: Sleigh Bells EP and Treats[edit]
From the beginning, Miller and Krauss set high expectations for themselves, with the goal to make a living off of their music.[7] Krauss noted that when the two began recording together for the first time, Miller wanted to be in control. "It was like a really interesting session gig for me...I always knew it was Derek's thing — he was producing and writing the songs. He had very specific ideas about what the vocals should be like."[4]
The duo performed at the CMJ Music Marathon in October 2009.[8] They signed to M.I.A.'s N.E.E.T. Recordings and Mom + Pop Music in March 2010.[9] 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, ABC News's Amplified, and other sources. Stereogum named them a Band to Watch on October 22, 2009.[10] The Guardian named them Band of the Day in December 2009.[11] Their song "Crown on the Ground" was named the 57th best track of 2009 by Pitchfork.[12] Miller produced 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. All but one of the tracks from Sleigh Bells EP have been subsequently included on studio albums. Songs "Rill Rill", "Crown on the Ground", "Beach Girls" (later renamed "Kids"), "Infinity Guitars", and "A/B Machines" were released on 2010s Treats. The final track on the extended play, "2HELLWU", was eventually reworked into the Bitter Rivals track "To Hell with You", released in October 2013.
The group released "Tell 'Em", the first single from their debut album, Treats, as a free download in April 2010.[13] Treats was released in May 2010 by Mom + Pop Music.[14] Alarm Magazine later stated that the album established the band as "the new master of noise pop, infusing overblown electro beats and crunchy, gritty guitars into raucous compositions," concluding that "it was an unapologetic exploration of pushing 'pop' music to its threshold and crossing it."[15]
They performed at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in April 2010 and 2011,[16] the Primavera Sound Festival in May 2010,[17] and the Pitchfork Music Festival in July 2010.
Musical style[edit]
The band's music has been known for its juxtaposition of simple pop hooks with loud, rhythmic noise, electronic beats, harsh guitar riffs and dreamy vocals, which has been described mainly as noise pop.[41][42][43][44][45][46][47] The band's music also has been described as noise rock,[45] indie rock,[47] dance-punk,[48] electropunk,[49] digital hardcore,[50] experimental pop,[41] alternative rock,[51] and industrial rock.[52] While their debut album, Treats, was noted for its punk and heavy metal guitars, glam metal influences and mid-tempo beats from hip hop and electro, their second album, Reign of Terror, was also described as a mixture of "heavy metal shredding with R&B vocals".[53][54][55]
Heather Phares of AllMusic stated that the work of Sleigh Bells foreshadowed the hyperpop genre and artists such as Grimes, Poppy, and others who "brazenly ignored genre boundaries and united the extremes of sweet and heavy;"[1] Ian Cohen of Pitchfork similarly stated that their sound preempted the hyperpop genre and influenced a number of "ascendant acts blowing bubblegum melodies over razored guitars, while squabbles over cheerleading outfits, prom dresses, and pilfered pop-punk hooks span generations."[56]
Alexis Krauss
Sydney Alexis Krauss
September 27, 1985
Manasquan, New Jersey, U.S.
- Singer
- songwriter
- schoolteacher
2008–present
Sleigh Bells