In Our Spotlight: Sleigh Bells!

Sleigh Bells is an American noise pop music duo. The group released their debut album, Treats, on May 11, 2010.

Based in Brooklyn, New York, the duo is composed of Derek E. Miller (songwriter, guitarist, producer) and Alexis Krauss (vocals). The duo met and formed in 2008, when Miller was waiting tables on Alexis and her mother at a neighborhood Brazilian restaurant. Miller mentioned he was looking for a female vocalist to work with on a musical project, for which Alexis' mother immediately volunteered her. Miller was formerly the guitarist for the post-hardcore band Poison the Well and Krauss was a member of the teen pop group Rubyblue as a teenager. Additionally, Krauss was in a Nickelodeon Magazine commercial as young girl.

The duo performed at the CMJ Music Marathon in 2009. They are signed to M.I.A.'s N.E.E.T. Recordings. They have released several tracks online, which have gained attention from the New York Times, Pitchfork Media, ABC's Amplified, and other sources. Pitchfork named their song "Crown on the Ground" the 57th best track of 2009. They performed at the 2010 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in April 2010,, Primavera Sound Festival and played at Pitchfork Music Festival.

The group released "Tell 'Em", the first single from their debut album, Treats, as a free download in April 2010. Treats was released on May 11, 2010 exclusively through the iTunes Store by N.E.E.T. Recordings in partnership with Mom + Pop Records.


Sleigh Bells are known for their energetic and wild performances. Guitarist Derek Miller often uses a red Gibson SG and a variety of distortion pedals through a Marshall amplifier. Derek has been seen with a Danelectro '56 single cut away on several live occasions too. They play to a backing track of music from laptop software so the only live instrument is the guitar, as well as vocals.

Watch:


Listen to:
Crown On The Ground.
Rill Rill.
Tell Em.