Bands and Artists to Watch: Howling Bells

(UK Album Cover)

Aussie band Howling Bells have been gaining international attention as the support act for Coldplay on the 2009 North American leg of their Viva La Vida tour. They also toured with The Killers and gave an impressive set at the V Festival this year that had Brandon Flowers singing their praises.

The history of the band is actually really interesting as they are made up of the remaining members of another fairly famous Aussie band, Waikiki who broke up in 2003. They moved to the UK to record their first album, Howling Bells which was released in 2006. They gained positive reviews for their first release and continued to move forward with the release of their second record, Radio Wars in February of this year.

Now...onto sound. You all are probably wondering what type of music do they play and who can they be compared to? Well, it is safe to say these guys (and gal) are in the genre of indie. However, there is a departure from first to second album. The first is more atmospheric and subtle in many ways . It sounds a bit like The Velvet Underground whilst Radio Wars is definitely more mainstream but this is not bad as I think they have just grown in their songwriting and worked with the right people. Anyways, you can judge for yourself.

Here is 'Low Happening' from their self-titled first album.


Now listen to 'Cities Burning Down' from Radio Wars.


I think the key to their recent success has been lead singer, Juanita Stein's sultry, yet not too retro sounding voice e.g. Duffy, Gabriella Cilmi etc... This will set her and the band apart from other singers and bands with female lead singers.

Radio Wars Tracklisting:

1. Treasure Hunt
2. Cities Burning Down
3. It Ain't You
4. Nightingale
5. Let's Be Kids
6. Ms. Bell's Song/Radio Wars Theme
7. Golden Web
8. Into the Chaos
9. Digital Hearts
10. How Long
11. To L.A. (Hidden Track)

There is also a Limited Edition version which has a bonus live CD.

Well go to your nearest record store and pick up a copy and I'll be keenly watching how they are received by the masses while they are on tour with Coldplay!