School of Seven Bells
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 2007 |
| Headquarters | New York City , United States |
| Products | Indie rock, dream pop, shoegaze, electronic music |
| Website | schoolofsevenbells |
School of Seven Bells (commonly abbreviated as SVIIB) was an American indie rock ensemble originating from New York City, established in 2007. The founding members were Alejandra Deheza (vocals, guitar), her twin sister Claudia Deheza (keyboards, vocals), and Benjamin Curtis (guitar, synthesizers, vocals). Claudia exited the group in 2010, and Curtis succumbed to lymphoma in 2013. The band’s fourth and final album, SVIIB, was completed and released posthumously in February 2016, utilizing demos Curtis had recorded prior to and during his illness.
The band’s name is inspired by a purported South American academy for training pickpockets. Alejandra referenced a television documentary that explored organized shoplifting networks associated with this so-called "School Of Seven Bells."
History
Benjamin Curtis, previously part of Secret Machines, met Alejandra and Claudia Deheza—twins formerly with On!Air!Library!—while opening for Interpol on tour. They subsequently abandoned their earlier bands to cohabit and collaborate creatively in the same studio environment.
Their songwriting method was distinctive: they began by recording vocals first and then built the instrumental arrangements around those initial vocal tracks. Curtis highlighted this as the fundamental creative strategy for the group.
Their initial single, "My Cabal," debuted in May 2007 through the UK label Sonic Cathedral, followed by the EP Face to Face on High Places released in September 2007 on Table of the Elements. Additionally, they appeared on producer Prefuse 73’s single "Class of 73 Bells." The band supported tours with Blonde Redhead and Prefuse 73 before unveiling their first full-length album Alpinisms in 2008. They also served as opening act for Bat for Lashes during her UK Two Suns tour. The song "Chain" was included on the complimentary compilation album Ghostly Swim, promoted jointly by Adult Swim and Ghostly International.
Their sophomore album, Disconnect from Desire, was released in July 2010 to widespread critical praise. While touring to promote this record, they performed a cover of Siouxsie and the Banshees' "Kiss Them for Me." That same year, they received the International Bet of the Year award at the MTV Video Music Brasil ceremony. Later in 2010, Claudia departed from the band due to personal reasons. On February 28, 2012, as a duo, they launched their third album Ghostory, which included singles such as "The Night," "Lafaye," and "Scavenger." This was followed by the EP Put Your Sad Down in November 2012.
In February 2013, Benjamin Curtis was diagnosed with T-cell lymphoblastic lymphoma. He died on December 29, 2013, at Memorial Sloan–Kettering Cancer Center located in New York City.
Curtis’s last recorded piece was a rendition of Joey Ramone's "I Got Knocked Down (But I’ll Get Up)," issued in June 2014. The band’s posthumous fourth album SVIIB was released in February 2016, preceded by the single "Open Your Eyes."
Music style
The sound of School of Seven Bells has been characterized as indie rock, dream pop, shoegaze, and electronic music, noted for its ethereal and atmospheric qualities alongside abstract lyricism. Benjamin Curtis cited a wide range of inspirations including Kraftwerk, Wire, Beyoncé, New Order, Blonde Redhead, Section 25, Joni Mitchell, and Robert Wyatt—highlighting a deep respect for intelligent songwriting combined with pop sensibilities.
Touring
Throughout their tours, SVIIB broadened their ensemble by incorporating bassists James Elliott and Daniel Duemer; drummers Zachary Shigeto Saginaw (also recognized as the electronic artist Shigeto), Joe Stickney (from Bear in Heaven), Christopher Colley, and Guy Licata; as well as keyboardist and backing vocalist Allie Alvarado.
Studio albums
- Alpinisms (2008)
- Disconnect from Desire (2010)
- Ghostory (2012)
- SVIIB (2016)
Extended plays
- Face to Face on High Places (2007)
- Put Your Sad Down (2012)
Singles
- "My Cabal" (2007)
- "Half Asleep" (2008)
- "Iamundernodisguise" (2009)
- "Windstorm" (2010)
- "Heart Is Strange" (2010)
- "I L U" (2010)
- "Lafaye" (2012)
- "The Night" (2012)
- "Scavenger" (2012)
- "Open Your Eyes" (2015)
- "On My Heart" (2016)
- "Ablaze" (2016)
- "Signals" (2016)
External links
- School of Seven Bells Official website