School of Seven Bells - 9/26/09 - Philadelphia - Johnny Brenda's

Every once in a while I'm lucky enough to catch a band at the beginning of what I hope to be an extraordinarily successful career trajectory. This would be one of those bands and one of those times.

Composed of Alley and Claudia Deheza (formerly of On!Air!Library) with Ben Curtis (previously of The Secret Machines) on guitar, the trio makes ridiculously beautiful music suitable for all addled headspaces. I hate drawing comparisons but imagine if My Bloody Valentine had their way with the Cocteau Twins while engaging in an illicit affair with Lush. In other words the shit is good. Their first full length album "Alpinisms" (released last year on the Ghostly International label) brought them the attention of the Pitchfork set with their unique pastiche of wah-wah guitars fluidly blending with the Deheza sisters ethereal vocals creating an almost otherworldly sound perfect to consume 'ludes to.

Live, the band elegantly captures the aural tapestries found on their debut album (Forgive me for just typing "aural tapestries". There is no reason for that and I am sorry). Suffice to say make every effort to see this band live before they're headlining large venues in the near future. Roadworking new material hopefully to be found on their next album due March of next year, such new songs as "Bye-Bye" and "ILU" fit seamlessly into their Alpinisms driven set. There is also a "deluxe" version of "Alpinisms" due 10/13 incorporating demo versions, alternate takes, and new mixes of songs off their first album. Check http://pitchfork.com/forkcast/13402-iamundernodisguise-alternate-version/ for the alternate version of iamundernodisguise.

Here are a couple vids. I shot of the band from February of this year in Philly at the Troc. for a taste of their magic. Note to iPhone users. Do not waste your time trying to shoot video on this device at a show. It will sound like the seventh circle of hell. Trust me. -

Tour Dates. Go. You owe it to yourself. Or the terrorists win!:

Friday, September 25th - Philadelphia, PA - Johnny Brendas w/Popo
Saturday, September 26th - Baltimore, MD - Ottobar w/ Phantogram
Sunday, September 27th - Washington DC - Rock and Roll Hotel w/ Phantogram
Monday, September 28th - Chapel Hill, NC - Local 506 w/ Phantogram, Graveyard Fields
Tuesday, September 29th - Atlanta, GA - Drunken Unicorn w/ Phantogram, The Tealights
Thursday, October 1st - Austin, TX - Emos Alternative Lounge w/ Phantogram
Friday, October 2nd - Austin, TX - Austin City Limits / Ziker Park
Sunday, October 4th - San Diego, CA - Casbah w/ Phantogram
Monday, October 5th - Los Angeles, CA - Troubadour w/ Warpaint, Phantogram
Tuesday, October 6th - San Francisco, CA - Slims w/ Warpaint, Phantogram
Thursday, October 8th - Portland, OR - Doug Fir Lounge w/ Warpaint
Friday, October 9th - Vancouver BC - Biltmore Cabaret w/ Depreciation Guild, Warpaint
Saturday, October 10th - Seattle, WA - Neumos w/ Warpaint
Tuesday, October 13th - Minneapolis, MN - 7th Street Entry w/ Depreciation Guild, Warpaint
Wednesday, October 14th - Chicago, IL - Empty Bottle w/ Depreciation Guild, Warpaint
Thursday, October 15th - Toronto, ON - Lees Palace w/ Depreciation Guild, Warpaint
Friday - October 16th - Northampton, MA - Pearl Street w/ Depreciation Guild, Warpaint
Saturday, October 17th - Boston, MA - Paradise w/ Depreciation Guild, Warpaint
Friday, October 23rd - New York, NY - Webster Hall w/ The XX, First Aid Kit