I have a confession.
I have long harboured secret dreams of being a rockstar, and once or twice, lip synced in the mirror to Howling Bells. Cos they are so totally rad. Everyone at a Howling Bells show a) LOVES their music, and b) either wants to be, or be with, Juanita Stein (it wasn’t an accident she was called the sexiest woman in rock a few years ago) or the rest of the band. I don’t want to discredit the band’s phenomenal talent by talking about superficial things like attractiveness. This is just fact.
They are a fine looking band – one of those rare occurences where a band looks as incredi as they sound.
Sadly, they do not seem to have gained the popularity in Australia that their music deserves. They should be HUGE. Hopefully this changes with their new album The Loudest Engine. It was recorded in September 2010, after the band had explored around America, and was produced/recorded in the Nevada desert by Mark Stoermer from The Killers (it was always going to be amazing, right?). The 60′s psychedelia on this album is divine. I have loved every single one of their previous records and never get tired of playing them. This record is no different. The Loudest Engine is brimming with haunting moody songs, laced with Juanita Stein’s gorgeous vocals.
I was in university when Waikiki featured on The Secret Life of Us Soundtracks (1 & 2, wow, blast from the past) and it was love at first listen. The more grown-up name of Howling Bells went along nicely with the shift in their sound, but they have always had the “play it like a gazillion times and never get sick of it” aspect to their music. Love. It.
They are touring through Europe at the moment with my hands down most favourite band ever, Elbow (another band sadly under appreciated here in Australia. Ah, Guy Garvey – Charm Central).
Howling Bells hit Australia’s shores again in a couple of weeks and I just cannot wait to catch them in Brisbane. They are truly mesmerising to watch and listen to live. Get your tickets soon, they are sure to sell out super quickly.
Find The Loudest Engine here.
Find tickets to their Brisbane show here, or go here for a full list of their tour dates.
Visit them on the interweb here, here, here & here.
Watch their latest single Into the Sky off The Loudest Engine below, or here (for mobile readers).
C-razy, but nice.
Fabulous band/album review Cali!