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School of Seven Bells

Music For Healing

Clockwise from upper left: Sufjan Stevens, Oumou Sangare, Sigur Ros, Alejandra Deheza of School For Seven Bells Courtesy of the artists hide caption

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Courtesy of the artists

All Songs Considered

Music For Healing

After the attack at a concert hall in Paris, this week's All Songs offers a space for reflection and solitude, and a celebration of the healing power, joy and community that live music can bring.

Music For Healing

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A Band's Lone Survivor Crosses The Finish Line

Alejandra Deheza finished the album SVIIB on her own after the death of her School of Seven Bells collaborator Benjamin Curtis. Clarke Tolton/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Clarke Tolton/Courtesy of the artist

Music Interviews

A Band's Lone Survivor Crosses The Finish Line

The duo School of Seven Bells wrote its final album together in 2012. Alejandra Deheza didn't know then that her bandmate and songwriting partner wouldn't live to see its release.

School Of Seven Bells, A Musical Partnership Cut Short, Crosses The Finish Line

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School Of Seven Bells: A Spacey Dance-Pop Hymn

School of Seven Bells constructed the transporting sound of "Windstorm" to remind listeners of the mountains. Abbey Drucker hide caption

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Abbey Drucker

Review

Song Of The Day

School Of Seven Bells: A Spacey Dance-Pop Hymn

At the center of dizzying instrumental hooks, droning guitars and swirling synths that sound like disembodied voices sit School of Seven Bells' angelic, interwoven vocals.

Windstorm

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Review

Song Of The Day

School Of Seven Bells: Journey Into A Trance

KEXP

The swirl of sounds and words may seem distant, but School of Seven Bells' "Wired for Light" is still plenty warm. The mesmerizing track harkens back to the distinct mood of U2's Achtung Baby, as a pulsating, head-nodding beat provides the backdrop for a dream world in which "wishes turn out orphans" and "the space is wired for light."

'Wired for Light' by School of Seven Bells

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World Cafe

School Of Seven Bells: Mountains Of Sound

XPN

Unique in sound and technique, School of Seven Bells has an electronic, dreamy sound that feels both abstract and carefully crafted. The group takes an unconventional approach to its music, composing ethereal melodies only after the lyrics are written. The result is a collection of airy "mountain-climbing songs" called Alpinisms.

School of Seven Bells in Studio on World Cafe 4/29/09

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Favorite Sessions

School Of Seven Bells: Reaching New Heights

KEXP

On record, School of Seven Bells has a thick, layered sound, but in KEXP's studios, the Brooklyn trio stripped down to two acoustic guitars and a keyboard. The songs took on a warm, intimate feel with the otherworldly harmonies of the Deheza twins filling the air.

School of Seven Bells in Studio on KEXP 11/25/08

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Review

Music Reviews

School Of Seven Bells: Blurring Life And Art

Last year, Benjamin Curtis and twin sisters Ally and Claudia Deheza left the bands they were in, set up a home recording studio and launched an all-consuming music project. Ally Deheza says the arrangement mixes life and art in new ways.

School Of Seven Bells: Blurring Life And Art

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First Listen: Ghostly International, 'We'll Never Stop Living This Way'

Matthew Dear (left) and The Sight Below are two of the artists on Ghostly International. Matthew Dear, courtesy of Ghostly; The Sight Below, Bob Hansen/Ghostly hide caption

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Matthew Dear, courtesy of Ghostly; The Sight Below, Bob Hansen/Ghostly

First Listen

First Listen: Ghostly International, 'We'll Never Stop Living This Way'

We'll Never Stop Living This Way is a compilation from the independent label Ghostly International. The album's 30 songs demonstrate the label's long history of blending rock and electronic music.

School Of Seven Bells: Music From A Lucid Dream

Alejandra Deheza and Benjamin Curtis of School of Seven Bells. Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Courtesy of the artist

Music

School Of Seven Bells: Music From A Lucid Dream

The alternative band takes the concept of dream-pop to the next level. Singer-songwriter Alejandra Deheza talks about the group's influences, the new album and her sister Claudia's recent departure from the band.

School Of Seven Bells: Music From A Lucid Dream

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