It’s always so exciting when you’re attending an outdoor musical event and you can hear the bands sound checking on the other side of the lined fences as you approach the main gates. The music is so distant, yet travels so melodically. This morning, walking the fence line my ears were filled with the sonic preview of School of Seven Bells.

Their performance opened up the music for the day on Austin City Limits’ main stage, preparing the audience for what was to be three days of music from an eclectic mix of artists. I don’t think a better trio could have been chosen. Layers of guitars, synths, programmed beats, and angelic harmonies created an uncompromising wall of sound. Within minutes, hundreds of concert goers were in an awe-like trance by the music being projected from the stage. Elements of dream pop, electronic, and shoegaze would not be able to categorize the sonic collision of personalities that comprise this band.

School of Seven Bells consists of Benjamin Curtis and the Deheza twins, Claudia and Alejandra. I had an opportunity to meet the band following their performance, and through our conversations all the magic and intrigue that I knew of them beforehand only grew.

Each member having been steeped in music from an early age brought them to a coming together from different musical projects in New York City. Benjamin started young with piano lessons, moving to drums and eventually picking up a guitar in his 20s, while the girls’ mother has said that they were singing and harmonizing since the age of two.

School of Seven Bells emerged from shared ideas between the sisters and Benjamin while touring with their respective bands On! Air! Library! and Secret Machines in support of Interpol. While participating in these other projects, worries of preserving their personal musical identity grew. The need for a new breath of creative freedom drove them to pursue School of Seven Bells fulltime and create their own identity.

They have been touring in support of their debut release Alpinisms intensely since its release in late 2008 – though along the way, with today’s digital recording capabilities, they have been able to start tracking ideas for their next record, to be released in 2010.

As our conversation continued, it was revealed that another musical venture was in progress, Night of the Gifts. Not exactly a side project, the members of School of Seven Bells expressed that this was merely another method of theirs for musical exploration without predetermined expectations.

As to the future for this band we spoke of records, movie soundtracks, and collaborations. Alejandra expressed they wanted to do it all. The bond that exists within this group is strong and confident, affording them a future that exudes creativity, limitless and without boundaries. I asked if there ever may be a day that they feel they may “age out” of music and pursue other interest, but none of them could foresee such a time.

Before they had to rush off to their next performance in California I was able to ask what their ideal stage would be. Benjamin immediately said to play outdoors, and Alejandra followed up quickly with “the desert.” I was confused by this because so much of their music has echoes and reverb resounding throughout each song. So Benjamin quickly followed up by explaining, “We already have that in our music.” Apparently, they want to project their sound without walls. Claudia though, chose a more cathedral-like setting.

Through all the growing success and attention that School of Seven Bells is receiving, there still couldn’t be a nicer group of people. I look forward to the next opportunity to see them perform, as I urge you to do the same.