Sleigh Bells

Sleigh Bells is a Brooklyn-based duo consisting of Derek Miller and Alexis Krauss, whose 2010 debut 'Treats' fundamentally altered the landscape of independent music by legitimizing extreme digital clipping as an aesthetic choice. Miller, a former guitarist for the metalcore band Poison the Well, brought a heavy, rhythmic aggression that he paired with Krauss's background in teen pop.

This unlikely fusion resulted in 'noise pop' that borrowed as much from the bombast of 80s stadium rock and 90s hip-hop as it did from contemporary electronic music. Their sound is characterized by 'wall of sound' production, where guitars and drum machines are pushed into the red, creating a dense, percussive texture. Over the years, they have evolved from the lo-fi grit of their debut to the more melodic, metal-influenced 'Reign of Terror' and the experimental pop of 'Jessica Rabbit'. Critically, they are viewed as pioneers of the 'loudness' aesthetic in indie circles, influencing a wave of artists who embrace hyper-saturated, maximalist production. They occupy a unique cultural position as a bridge between the aggressive energy of punk and the infectious hooks of mainstream pop.