We continue our "Best of NYC Countdown", covering every day one of the artists that made our Year End Best of NYC list (a chart compiled by a jury comprised of local bloggers, music writers, promoters, record store personnel, DJs, and our writers and readers).
The creation of noise pop duo Sleigh Bells resulted from an unlikely pairing of Derek Miller, a former guitarist for post-hardcore band Poison the Well, and Alexis Krauss, a member of the now-defunct teen pop group RubyBlue. Miller writes songs that radiate such a colossal impact that they make the speakers sound like they will melt at any moment. Audiophiles be damned: The duo purposefully creates a blown-out sound by disregarding levels and pushing them way over into the red.
Their demos boast a range of intense club ragers to melodic, buttery tunes. Often compared to Crystal Castles for their visceral energy and strong female vocals, Sleigh Bells’ music is more beat conscious and incorporates the creative use of guitar as a driving, almost obsessive force.
Their clipped, infectious songs and high energy performances elevated them to one of last year’s CMJ Music Marathon favorites. Not only they impressed the music media, but they also caught the ear of their sound sister, M.I.A. In early February Sleigh Bells helped produce M.I.A’s forthcoming album. M.I.A. returned the favor by helping co-release their debut album “Treats” through her NEET imprint with Mom + Pop Records. Of course this help make Sleigh Bells one of the most successful NYC bands of 2010.