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Trembling Bells

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Adapted from the English Wikipedia article Trembling Bells, available under CC BY-SA 4.0Updated 30 November 202511 sources
Trembling Bells
Company typeBand
IndustryMusic
Founded2008; 18 years ago (2008)
FounderAlex Neilson
Defunct2018
Headquarters
Glasgow
,
Scotland, United Kingdom
ProductsMusic albums, EPs, singles
Websitewww.tremblingbells.com

Trembling Bells was a Scottish folk rock ensemble established in 2008 by drummer Alex Neilson, renowned for his work in free and improvised music collaborations. Operating out of Glasgow, the group issued three albums through Honest Jon's Records. Their fourth studio effort, The Sovereign Self, was launched on 29 June 2015, followed by an EP in 2016, both released via Tin Angel Records. Their concluding album, Dungeness, came out in March 2018. In September 2018, lead vocalist Lavinia Blackwall declared her exit after ten years with the band.[1] Following the completion of their live performances, the band disbanded, with members embarking on individual projects.

Career

Prior to forming Trembling Bells, Neilson collaborated with singer Lavinia Blackwall in the free improvisation folk collective Directing Hand.[2] The band was created by Neilson alongside bassist Simon Shaw (previously of Lucky Luke) and guitarist Ben Reynolds. They were occasionally accompanied by George Murray on trombone and Aby Vuillamy on viola, both formerly part of Scatter and The One Ensemble.[3]

In 2009, the group signed with Honest Jon's Records and released their debut album Carbeth in April, produced by John Cavanagh. The record garnered favorable reviews from critics and achieved a Metacritic score of 76 based on seven evaluations.[4]

Their sophomore release, Abandoned Love, appeared in April 2010 and was co-produced by John Cavanagh along with Stevie Jackson of Belle and Sebastian. Between the first and second albums, Mike Hastings replaced Ben Reynolds on guitar. The album was acclaimed for its innovative approach to traditional styles, with critics noting a marked increase in assurance and audacity.[5][6] Although it was considered for the 2010 Mercury Music Prize, it ultimately was not submitted by their label.[7]

Released on 21 March 2011, their third album The Constant Pageant reflected a movement toward more mainstream pop sounds. It was met with generally positive feedback, earning an average Metacritic score of 81 from five reviewers.[8][9][10]

Trembling Bells appeared on a session for BBC Radio 6 Music on Marc Riley’s show on 6 June 2011.[11]

Their fourth album The Sovereign Self was issued by Tin Angel Records on 29 June 2015,Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name followed by their fifth release Wide Majestic Aire on 1 April 2016,Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name and sixth album Dungeness on 30 March 2018,Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name all under the Tin Angel label.

Following Blackwall’s announcement of her departure in September 2018, Trembling Bells ceased operations later that year. Their final release was the collaborative 10" record I am the King in 2019, created alongside Neilson’s solo project Alex Rex.Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name

After the band's dissolution, Blackwall embarked on a solo venture with her single "Waiting for Tomorrow" released in December 2018 and her album Muggington Lane End arriving in May 2020.Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name

Simon Shaw became a member of Youth of America, whose debut album YOA Rising was released in January 2019 through Fighting Swans Records,Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name as well as MONICA alongside Ian Stoddart from The Apples/Aberfeldy. MONICA’s debut album Celebration came out shortly before Stoddart’s passing in April 2020 and received favorable critical acclaim.Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad nameCite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad nameCite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad nameCite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name

Influences and style

Trembling Bells' sound is heavily inspired by the psychedelic music of the late 1960s as well as the British folk revival movement, drawing parallels to groups such as Fairport Convention and the Incredible String Band. Lavinia Blackwall's singing has been likened to that of Sandy Denny and Beverly Bivens from We Five. According to Stuart Maconie, their music is a fusion of "wild and romantic, witty and heartbreaking" elements, merging the allure of folk with the intensity of rock. Additionally, John Mulvey identified influences reminiscent of The Pastels and artists associated with Bill Wells within their style.

Live performances and tours

In 2009, Trembling Bells appeared at the Green Man Festival, followed by a performance at All Tomorrow's Parties Bowlie Weekender 2 in 2010, an event curated by Belle and Sebastian. To support The Constant Pageant, they embarked on a UK and Ireland tour in spring 2011. August of the same year saw them complete a five-date UK tour alongside Mike Heron from the Incredible String Band. Their London concert received a four-star rating from Robin Denselow, who praised their combination of pioneering psychedelic folk with modern innovation. The band reunited with Heron for a Glasgow show in August 2013 and later toured the UK in December 2014; this collaboration was commended by Freq for capturing the enchanting essence of 1960s music.

Band members

The lineup of Trembling Bells at their final stage in 2018 consisted of:

Albums

Singles

  • 2010 "New Year's Eve's the Loneliest Night of the Year" (featuring Bonnie Prince Billy and Mike Heron)
  • 2014 "New Trip on the Old Wine" / "Lay It Down" (with Bonnie Prince Billy)
  • 2015 "Hallelujah" / "Wah Wah" (Record Store Day release)
  • 2016 "Who Call the Law?" / "Made for the May" (Record Store Day release)
  • 2017 "The Auld Triangle" (Record Store Day split 10" alongside Alex Rex)
  • 2019 "I am the King" (Record Store Day split 10" with Alex Rex)

External links

  1. ↑ "Trembling Bells". Retrieved 2020-06-25 – via Facebook.
  2. ↑ Blackwall, Lavinia. "Lavinia Blackwall, singer". Mandy Singers. The Mandy Network Ltd. Retrieved 12 November 2011.
  3. ↑ Edwards, Duncan (3 May 2009). "Trembling Bells, Carbeth". Brainwashed. Retrieved 11 November 2011.
  4. ↑ "Critic Reviews for Carbeth". Metacritic. 2009-04-14. Retrieved 2014-08-20.
  5. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named Empire-18-4-2010
  6. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named Mulvey-2010-04-01
  7. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named Empire-8-8-2010
  8. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named Denselow-17 March 2011
  9. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named Elliot-15 April 2011
  10. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named metacritic
  11. ↑ "Trembling Bells". Radio 6 Music Mark Riley. BBC. Retrieved 11 November 2011.

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