A Conversation With Alejandra Deheza of School Of Seven Bells

Written by  Published in Interviews Thursday, 23 September 2010 09:00

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2010 has been a successful year for School of Seven Bells. The band released its sophomore effort, Disconnect From Desire, on July 13 on Vagrant Records/Ghostly International in the U.S. The band consists of Benjamin Curtis and identical twins Alejandra and Claudia Deheza. With a sound that has been described by some as dreamy and ethereal, the trio is one of the groups to look for as the year comes to a close. The band is currently in the middle of a headlining domestic and subsequent international tour, which has seen them play some of the better mid-sized venues in the country. Bestnewbands.com spoke to Alejandra while en route to Kansas City to discuss why her lyrics have been labeled abstract, her excitement for the reception Disconnect has received and who is the best driver in the group.

DK: Where am I catching you today?

Alejandra Deheza: Somewhere in the middle between Omaha and Kansas City. We are in between shows and it’s a short drive so that’s good.

DK: How has the tour been so far? What’s it been like to headline in support of Disconnect?

AD: We’re about a week in so far and all the shows have been really great. It’s cool when you play the headline tours because you know who the fans are and the ones that have been coming out are great and have been super supportive and rowdy, just like we like em. (Laughs). It’s been really fun.

 

DK: What was it like to win the International Bet of the Year at the 2010 MTV Video Music Awards in Brazil? Were you guys there to collect your trophy?

AD: You know I just found out about that and I was bummed I couldn’t be there! What a great reason to go to Brazil! My sister told me about it, she was online and was like ‘what!’ and I’ve always wanted to go to Brazil and I was like ‘man we could have went on someone else’s dime’ would have been fun.

 

DK: What are you expectations for Disconnect and have they been exceeded so far?

AD: It’s been going really, really well. I’m so happy with the reception so far with all the reactions to it. I expected it, but I didn’t expect it to be so full of love.

 

DK: Do you write the lyrics first and then the music or vice versa? The lyrics seem very abstract, are they?

AD: It’s not abstract; it’s just the way I write. Especially since poetry is the first thing I do, I think it’s the expression and it’s very visual writing that I think people relate to more on a subconscious level. I think those songs stay with people more.

 

DK: So it’s safe to assume that you aren’t driving right now. Who would you say is the best driver in the group?

AD: Anyone but me. I’m down with anyone driving. They’re all pretty good drivers but I’m a speeder and not a good one either. You need to have strong reflexes to do that, which I definitely don’t!

 

With an extensive tour continuing through November, School of Seven Bells is going to be busy for the rest of the year. Have no fear, when they return from Europe the hardworking trio will be back writing songs and getting their next album ready. Until then, Disconnect shows a great maturity in the band’s sound and the promise of what’s to come.

Last modified on Sunday, 24 April 2011 12:17
Daniel Kohn

Ever since he first heard the opening chords to "Smells Like Teen Spirit," at the age of 11, Daniel Kohn has been hooked on music. Born in New York City, raised in the music hotbed of Long Island and currently residing in Los Angeles, Kohn has been writing since high school, when he realized he could get CDs for free. He's a sucker for '90s music, especially that from Seattle. Like a small minority of Americans, he likes football of the European variety, especially Liverpool. When he's not chasing down bands, you can find him at your local pub with a pint of Carlsberg, usually at ungodly hours cheering on his beloved Reds. 

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