School of Seven Bells
School of Seven Bells released their third album this year, and it might be their best so far. With a full, lush sound, Ghostory is a must listen for the Poploser reader. The band consists of Benjamin Curtis (formerly of Secret Machines) and Alejandra Deheza (formerly of On!Air!Library!). We caught them live in DC opening for The Afghan Whigs in September and were impressed. Lucky for us, Alejandra agreed to answer some of our questions about the band.
How did you get the opening gig for The Afghan Whigs tour?
They invited us to play these dates with them, and we of course said yes. Greg is such an incredible singer and a true artist. The band has such a powerful bond with their fans. The energy at the shows was crazy. It was an honor to be asked.
Tell me about touring; every band seems to have a different take on it. Do you enjoy it?
I love touring. I can’t imagine doing anything else. Yeah there are times when things get a bit intense, but at the end of the day it’s a pretty amazing thing that I can play music every day still. It’s hard to take that for granted. Working hard at something you love is the best feeling in the world. Passion and exhaustion go hand in hand.
Tell me a little about how SVIIB got started. I’ve read that both your bands happened to be on tour when you met and decided to split and form SVIIB; what was the impetus behind that?
I was in a band called On Air Library and Benjamin was in a band called Secret Machines. We ended up on a tour together with Interpol in the fall of 2004. The decision to start working together as School of Seven Bells was a completely separate and special thing on its own. Ben continued to play for a couple of more years in Secret Machines, and released another great record with them as well. I left my band and started writing on my own for a little bit, and then it wasn’t until 2007 that we both started seriously collaborating with each other .
What do you feel has changed in your music from Alpinisms to Disconnect? From Disconnect to Ghostory?
It’s impossible for me to separate music from life, and Ben as well. As our lives changed, so did the music, simple as that. The changes in sound were just us progressing and experimenting as songwriters. Emotionally, I’d say Disconnect was definitely darker than Alpinisms. You could say the same about the production. Ghostory evolved into a pretty intense record too. But it’s strange when I think about them now as a collection of records. Ghostory seems like the final piece of a trilogy to me. It’s a complete story, and it makes perfect sense to me. I’ve never seen it like that until now.
When you began writing for Ghostory, did you have something concrete in mind that you wanted to do, or did it form itself as you delved into it?
Production-wise, Benjamin definitely had a sound in mind before we began recording. Ghostory was the first time that had ever happened. Lyrically, I didn’t realize there was a theme until about midway through writing the record. By the fourth song it became pretty clear that there was a theme unravelling.
The lyrics of Ghostory—for the most part—are rather dark, or at least, not talking about good things. They could be interpreted as a relationship gone bad. Care to comment or clarify?
It’s about facing things from the past honestly and without being afraid of what you might find. Your life is filled with these super intense moments with certain people. The more intense the connection, the more intense the fire that goes with it. It’s been a pretty consistent pattern with me, as I’m sure it has been with a lot of people out there.
When you write your songs, do you usually come up with the music or the lyrics first? I’m wondering if one influences the feel or creation of the other.
Changing it up has been the best way for me. It keeps things new and interesting. If I approached things too similarly every time, I think I’d feel like I was writing myself into a cardboard box. That wouldn’t be good. Ben and I wrote Ghostory side by side, but the way we’d piece things together was different every time. I’d click with different parts of the music in every song.
Do you ever go back and listen to your previous albums?
I hear them more when I’m out. NY is so amazing and supportive like that. I don’t remember the last time I sat down and put on Alpinisms, but when I hear it played somewhere it makes me really happy. It seems like a different person to me, but in the best way possible. I get really nostalgic.
You’re still living in New York, right? When I first heard each of your original bands, it seemed to be tied up in that whole “Brooklyn sound” of the early 2000s. Did you ever feel a part of that scene? Did that hold any value or significance for you?
It was a really fun time to be in NY. Everyone was starting bands and playing out and going to the same parties. Everyone’s band flyers everywhere—remember those????? I remember a crazy amount of freedom combined with trust. You’d start a band one week, the next week you’d play a show. And whether you fell on your face or killed it, it was always still gonna be a party and everyone was happy. I definitely felt like a part of it.
What do you think of other new music coming out currently? Heard anything you’ve really liked?
I love so much that’s out. It’s hard to narrow it down…Beacon, Kendrick Lamar, Rihanna, Certain Creatures, Blondes, CREEP, Cooley G, Silent Servant…Dev Hynes’ new work with Solange is brilliant… This list could go on and on.
What’s next for SVIIB?
We’ve been writing nonstop, so more music.
Super Bonus Lightning Round
What is the best concert you’ve ever been to?
U2 at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City. 105,000 people singing every word to every song is REALLY hard to top. It was one of the most magical things I’ve ever witnessed.
When you were a kid, what album made you sit up and go wow?
Bell Biv Devoe, “Poison”.
If you could play with anyone, who would it be?
In all of time? Joy Division.
Everyone should listen to _____ before they die.
Joni Mitchell, Blue.
People wouldn’t believe that I love to listen to _____.
I think at this point they’d believe anything.