Howling Bells have today released their acclaimed new album, ‘Strange Life’, via Nude Records. The UK-based Australian band’s first LP in 12 years, its release is accompanied by a new video for album track ‘Sweet Relief‘. The trio, comprising Juanita Stein (vocals, guitar), Joel Stein (guitar) and Glenn Moule (drums), will celebrate the LP release with a stripped-back set at Rough Trade Denmark Street this evening, with further in-store shows throughout the week. They subsequently embark on a full UK headline tour in March and April. Full tour dates are listed below.
LISTEN TO ‘STRANGE LIFE’ HERE
WATCH NEW VIDEO FOR ‘SWEET RELIEF’ HERE
Says Juanita Stein of the newly released song, “Sweet Relief’ is a song about a friend of ours who has suffered with addiction issues. It’s about finding coping mechanisms for whatever struggles and challenges life may throw your way. Also, it’s a note to self, to remain empathic for anyone who might be struggling with this. After all, none of us is immune to life’s extreme shades. Some of us are just more equipped to respond.” On the album, she explains, “In the decade or so between our last album and now we have lived multiple lives. Starting families, working other jobs, forging new communities and experiencing huge loss. All these experiences have gifted us shades and colours to create new musical canvases. Strange Life has been a decade in the making. In this time we’ve sat quietly and watched as the world around us has shifted dramatically. A wild and fast-paced carousel of music, art and politics has taken our breath away. Yet, we have remained curiously ambitious and stalwart in our commitment to our art and our sound. Strange Life is a testament to all of this.”
Howling Bells’ upcoming live shows run as follows:
FEBRUARY UK IN-STORE SHOWS
Friday 13th February – Rough Trade Denmark Street – TICKETS
Saturday 14th February – Crash, Leeds – TICKETS
Sunday 15th February – Jacaranda, Liverpool – TICKETS
Monday 16th February – Truck, Oxford – TICKETS
Tuesday 17th February – Banquet, Kingston – TICKETS
Wednesday 18th February – Pie & Vinyl, Southsea (daytime) – TICKETS
+ Vinilo, Southampton (evening) – TICKETS
Thursday 19th February – Gatefield Sounds, Whitstable – TICKETS
MARCH/APRIL UK TOUR
Pre-sale tickets below – Tickets go on general sale on 9th December at 10 AM
Thursday 12 March – Think Tank – Newcastle – TICKETS
Friday 13 March – King Tuts – Glasgow – TICKETS
Saturday 14 March – Brudenell Social Club – Leeds – TICKETS
Sunday 15 March – Deaf Institute – Manchester – TICKETS
Thursday 19 March – Bodega – Nottingham – TICKETS
Friday 20 March – Clwb Ifor Bach – Cardiff – TICKETS
Sunday 22 March – Wedgewood Rooms – Portsmouth – TICKETS
Tuesday 24 March – Oslo – London – TICKETS
Thursday 26 March – Fleece – Bristol – TICKETS
Friday 27 March – The Sugarmill – Stoke – TICKETS
Saturday 28 March – Hallamshire Hotel – Sheffield – TICKETS
Sunday 29 March – The Waterfront Studio – Norwich – TICKETS
Thursday 23 April – Alphabet – Brighton – TICKETS
Friday 24 April – Dead Wax – Birmingham – TICKETS
Since their beginnings, breaking through with their acclaimed self-titled debut back in 2006 amidst a landscape of scrappy British indie and skinny-jeaned male dominance, the Australian trio – vocalist/guitarist Juanita Stein, her brother and guitarist Joel Stein and drummer Glenn Moule – have been something of an anomaly. They might have moved to the other side of the world in pursuit of the dreams that soon became a reality, playing at an NME Tour and then in stadiums supporting Coldplay whilst whipping up acclaim from the most credible ends of the music press. They may have seen various members come and go, but Howling Bells’ hypnotic indie rock always stood apart from the pack and was very much a reflection of their unbreakable union. Influenced by the likes of Tom Waits and Sonic Youth, as well as Nirvana, Fleetwood Mac, and Björk, their recipe created a heady, immersive stew – equal parts sepia-toned romance and gritty rock ‘n’ roll thrills.
‘Strange Life’ is both a vibrant document of and an exploratory testament to this alchemical magic. An album that harnesses the unique musical perspective that pricked up the music world’s ears back in their beginnings, but transposes it onto a lifetime’s more experience, ‘Strange Life’ is both familiar and new; a record that will unfurl like an old friend to long term fans whilst speaking in a language that only hard-won experience and a few more trips around the sun can understand. It is, suggests Juanita, a record about experience and wisdom. “If you’re not able to acknowledge the mistakes and the pain and make beautiful music out of it, then they’re left festering inside of you,” she says. “And I don’t ever want that to happen.”
The band’s first album since 2014’s ‘Heartstrings’, ‘Strange Life’ was recorded with Howling Bells’ long-time friend and collaborator, producer Ben Hillier (Blur, Depeche Mode, Elbow) at his Agricultural Audio Studios.
WATCH ‘UNBROKEN’ VIDEO HERE
WATCH ‘HEAVY LIFTING’ VIDEO HERE
WATCH ‘CHIMERA’ VIDEO HERE
WATCH ‘MELBOURNE’ VIDEO HERE
BUY/LISTEN TO ‘STRANGE LIFE’ HERE
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