BY NATALIE O’DELL// Brooklyn noise-pop duo Sleigh Bells are back in the District closing out their mini-North American tour at the 9:30 Club this Wednesday.
Sleigh Bells is the project of Derek Miller and Alexis Krauss, who have one of the more interesting origin stories in recent rock history. Both Miller and Krauss had a spent time performing prior to forming Sleigh Bells; Miller had been the guitarist in a hardcore punk band and Krauss had been in a teen pop group. Sleigh Bells got its start when Miller moved to New York City in search of a female vocalist for some demos he was working on. The two met at a Miller’s workplace, a Brazilian restaurant in Brooklyn, while Krauss and her mother were dining. When she learned of Miller’s search of a female vocalist, Krauss’s mother volunteered her and the two ended up meeting up at a park to go over Miller’s demos.
Since their formation in 2008, the duo have put out four full length albums. Their debut album Treats received much acclaim from music critics including Pitchfork, Spin, and Rolling Stone. Their sophomore album Reign of Terror peaked at the number 12 spot on Billboards’ music charts. Their most recent release is the EP Kid Kruschev, which was released late last year on the duo’s own label, Torn Clean. Standout tracks from their latest release include “And Saints,” as well as “Rainmaker.”
The sound of Sleigh Bells isn’t easily defined. Although normally boxed in as noise pop, their sound is more distinct, with an almost frankenstein-like nature. Miller’s punk rock origins are clearly present in the aggressive guitar riffs on many of their songs, while Krauss’s poppy vocals bring a different edge to the music, resulting in a unique and distinct style that can’t simply be defined as noise-pop.
Be sure to get there early to catch the Brooklyn-based dream-pop openers Sunflower Bean, who’s hotly anticipated sophomore album Twentytwo in Blue is slated to come out late next month.
Fans of noise-pop and dream-pop alike shouldn’t miss out on Wednesday’s show, and you can buy tickets here.