School Of Seven Bells arrived into Resident a bit flustered and apologetic, helping to make this brief acoustic set – a private soiree for a small group who had pre-ordered the album the band’s second album ‘Disconnect From Desire’ – feel more memorable from the off. The band propped themselves up on the counter at Resident and with ice-cold Buds close by and at the ready, called the gathered closer and launched into ‘Windstorm’, the first of four acoustic numbers off the new album.

Up this close and personal, you could see how the dynamics of SVIIB work. Claudia Deheza, appeared awkward looking and remote from the apparent chemistry between her more “musical” twin sister Alejandra and confident guitarist Benjamin Curtis. However, this didn’t distract from how her higher-toned voice was used to good effect to emphasise the start of new verses and pick up choruses. We came away uplifted but still wanting to know more about them.
It was an all too brief ‘get to know us’ session as they finished by saying “at least you got it stripped down”. They were right – and all the better for it.

School Of Seven Bells
Resident Instore
7th July 2010

Words By Andy Wilson
Photos By Philip Richard Newton