Howling Bells are an Australian indie rock band that formed in Sydney, New South Wales in 2004 and later relocated to the UK. The band obtained popularity following the release of its 2006 self-titled debut album. The band's current line-up consists of siblings Juanita (vocals, rhythm guitar) and Joel Stein (lead guitar), as well as drummer Glenn Moule. They are joined by bassist Jimi Wheelwright for live performances
Originally called Waikiki, the band changed its name and musical style preceding its move from Australia to England. Howling Bells' self-titled debut album was produced by Ken Nelson and released in 2006. The album charted in both the UK and Australia, and was included on several year-end lists. The band's next release, Radio Wars (2009), received mixed reviews, although it charted higher than its predecessor. Their third album, The Loudest Engine (2011), received largely favourable reviews but underperformed on the charts in comparison to the bands' two prior releases. Their fourth album, Heartstrings, was released in June 2014. A fifth, Strange Life, is slated for release in February 2026.
Howling Bells have described their sound as "melodic blues" and "country-goth." The band count acts such as The Beatles and Jimi Hendrix as influences, and have been compared to Mazzy Star and The Velvet Underground.
History
Formation
In 1999, Glenn Moule formed the pop rock group Waikiki with the Stein siblings – Juanita on lead vocals and bass, and Joel on guitar and backing vocals.Hannan, Victoria (October 2000). "An Interview with Waikiki". Ozmusic Project. Jasper Lee. Archived from the original on 27 September 2001. Retrieved 1 April 2011. They toured the Australian eastern states as a trio and released an EP, Presents, in 2000.Curley, John (9 November 2008). "Archive for Brendan Picchio". Powerline A.D. Patrick Prince ¤ Automattic. Archived from the original on 13 April 2011. Retrieved 2 April 2011. In 2002, now with rhythm guitarist Jimmy Brandon, they issued the Top 50 album I'm Already Home."Waikiki". Music Australia. National Library of Australia. (2002). Archived from the original on 13 April 2011. Retrieved 2 April 2011.Kellaghan, Ronan (22 October 2002). . ARIA. Australian Recording Industry Association. (660): 6. Archived from the original on 23 July 2011. Retrieved 26 June 2011. Note: A free, open-source original online document for this reference does not exist. In this case, the original is from Pandora Archive and was preserved there on 7 November 2002. The band then toured Australia and New Zealand.Likeman, Miranda (30 August 2002). "Meet Waikiki". nzgirl. Jenene Crossan Freer ¤ E-Innovatus Ltd. Archived from the original on 13 April 2011. Retrieved 1 April 2011. In early 2003, Brandon left the band and bassist Brendan Picchio joined, with Juanita switching to rhythm guitar.Carson, Jamie (19 January 2003). "Big Day Out 2003 – Gold Coast Review". Virtual Festivals. Steve Jenner. Archived from the original on 6 June 2011. Retrieved 1 April 2011. The group soon became dissatisfied with its material, so the members chose a new direction for their music. Note: Article is found at bottom of page. They wrote a number of new songs and made a wish list of producers with whom they would like to work. Note: Included in 9 December 2009 print edition. In 2004, the band changed its name to Howling Bells, as its members felt that phrase better embodied its newly adapted indie rock style.Augustine, Lalita (16 October 2011). "Howling Bells: Power Play (In Conversation with Lalita Augustine)". (West Lothian, Scotland: Is this music?). Archived from the original on 28 October 2011. Retrieved 24 May 2014.
Demos of the new material were sent to British producer Ken Nelson (Coldplay, Gomez). The band members considered him to be an unattainable candidate as a producer, but he responded favourably. Upon learning that he was interested in working with them, they moved to London. At the time, Nelson was occupied working with Coldplay. For eight to ten months, the band lived in adverse conditions in one room in a house in London. During this period, the members took up menial employment opportunities. Picchio sold double-glazing over the telephone. Moule worked in a pub and in a car workshop, and Joel worked on a farm.
Howling Bells (2005–2008)
Howling Bells waited for almost a year while Nelson worked on Coldplay's X&Y album.Cohen, Ben (31 March 2009). "We Meet The Howling Bells". t5m Insider. The 5th Medium Ltd. Archived from the original on 13 April 2011. Retrieved 10 March 2011. Frustrated by the unforeseen delay, they considered returning to Australia. However, in early 2005, Nelson became available, and they recorded their first album at Parr Street Studios, Liverpool.Fungus, Slender (14 May 2009). "Howling Bells Interview – We Talked to Juanita Stein from Coldplay's Latest Support Act". Coldplay. EMI (IP) Ltd. Archived from the original on 24 May 2009. Retrieved 26 February 2011. Howling Bells exhibited a brooding sound, and it was a departure from the poppier style of music demonstrated by Waikiki. The long delay and the experience of a cold British winter had affected the tone of their music.
By July 2005, the band was not yet signed to a record label."A&R Newsletter Vol. LXXIV". A&R Worldwide. Pangaea Entertainment Group, LLC. (5 July 2005). Archived from the original on 13 April 2011. Retrieved 4 April 2011. Howling Bells toured for ten months prior to the release of the album. They played sporadically in clubs in Australia and North America, and they toured Europe and the UK with Editors."The Cops, The Howling Bells, The Kits @ Club 77, 06/08/05". FasterLouder. Sound Alliance. (9 August 2005). Archived from the original on 13 April 2011. Retrieved 3 April 2011."Howling Bells past concerts". Songkick. Ian Hogarth, Pete Smith, Michelle You. Archived from the original on 13 April 2011. Retrieved 3 April 2011. Note: User required to navigate numbered tabs at bottom of page. The group played extensive UK club shows with many artists, including The Young Knives and Hank & Lily.Bright, Jon (29 March 2006). "Young Knives + Howling Bells". musicOMH. OMH Media. Archived from the original on 23 February 2008. Retrieved 3 April 2011.Hegazy, Alex (9 December 2005). "Howling Bells @ 93 Feet east". Access All Areas Music. Alessia Matteoli. Archived from the original on 14 February 2006. Retrieved 4 April 2011. Howling Bells also played Camden Crawl and the 2006 NME New Music Tour.Webb, Simon (23 April 2006). "Camden Crawl 2006". Room Thirteen. Guy Powell. Archived from the original on 23 May 2006. Retrieved 3 April 2011.
The album was released in May 2006 in the United Kingdom on the Bella Union label and in Australia in July through Liberation.. MusicBrainz. MetaBrainz Foundation. (2006). Archived from the original on 22 May 2011. Retrieved 26 March 2011."Howling Bells". Bella Union Records. Archived from the original on 11 February 2006. Retrieved 1 April 2011. It received critical acclaim, including a perfect 5/5 from musicOMH.Hubbard, Michael (5 May 2006). "Howling Bells – Howling Bells". musicOMH. OMH Media. Archived from the original on 11 December 2006. Retrieved 25 March 2011. NME rated it 9/10 and wrote in a review, "By turns beguiling and enthralling, this is an extraordinary album." Howling Bells peaked in the Top 100 of the UK Albums Chart and just outside the Top 50 of the Australian Albums Chart.Zywietz, Tobias (29 November 2007). "Chartwatch 2006 Chart Booklet" (PDF). Zobbel.de (originally from OCC ∞ The Official Charts Company). Tobias Zywietz. p. 16. Archived from the original on 30 June 2011. Retrieved 26 June 2011.Wallace, Ian (24 July 2006). (PDF). ARIA. Australian Recording Industry Association. (855): 6. Archived from the original on 30 June 2011. Retrieved 22 June 2011. Note: A free, open-source original online document for this reference does not exist. In this case, the original is from Pandora Archive and was preserved there on 20 September 2006. At the time, it was the fastest selling album on the Bella Union label. The release appeared on Album of the Year lists for a number of different publications."Best Of 2006". Metacritic. CBS Interactive Inc. (2007). Archived from the original on 5 February 2009. Retrieved 14 February 2011. In its 22 March 2007 issue, Rolling Stone named Howling Bells one of their three bands to watch out for that year."Howling Bells Tour Oz in May". Hotsource. Burgess Ventures. (11 April 2007). Archived from the original on 13 April 2011. Retrieved 3 April 2011.
Howling Bells spent much of the next two years touring the UK, Europe, Australia, and the US. They played at the 2007 NME Awards Show. They performed at numerous festivals during the northern hemisphere's summer months in 2006 and 2007, including Reading and Leeds and Latitude.Aubergine, Cath (15 July 2006). "Taxi For Mr Strange?". Manchester Music. Musicdash Ltd. Archived from the original on 9 September 2007. Retrieved 3 April 2011. They supported Placebo in Europe and Australia and The Futureheads in the UK.Tijs, Andrew (11 January 2007). . Undercover Network Pty Ltd. Archived from on 13 April 2011. Retrieved 3 April 2011. The band also supported Mercury Rev, Snow Patrol, and The Killers across three different continents.
Radio Wars (2008–2009)
Howling Bells parted ways with Bella Union and, in 2008, signed a deal with record label Independiente.Strange, Francesca (March 2009). "Howling Bells: Interview". 4orTheRecord.com. Archived from the original on 13 April 2011. Retrieved 17 February 2011. The band worked with producer and mixer Dan Grech-Marguerat (Radiohead, Paul McCartney) and recorded its follow-up album, Radio Wars, at several different recording studios. "Producers – Dan-Grech Marguerat – Producer / Mixer". Solar Management Ltd. (2008). Archived from the original on 6 December 2008. Retrieved 2 April 2011. At times, the members found it difficult to work with their new producer. However, they have stated that in retrospect, they learned a great deal from him and felt fortunate for having the experience of collaborating with him.
Radio Wars was first released in the UK in March 2009, and it appeared in several other countries shortly thereafter.. MusicBrainz. MetaBrainz Foundation. (2009). Archived from the original on 8 May 2011. Retrieved 26 March 2011. The album signalled a change in direction. The band's music had become brighter and more accessible and placed a greater emphasis on keyboards. Consequently, reviews were mixed. BBC Music claimed "the second chance may well have been squandered."Burgess, Keira (20 February 2009). "Howling Bells Radio Wars Review". BBC Music. The Crown. Archived from the original on 1 April 2011. Retrieved 4 March 2011. Gigwise called it "an album of mashed-up half ideas."Bye, Jon (4 March 2009). "Howling Bells – Radio Wars (Independiente) Released:02/03/09". Gigwise. Giant Digital. Archived from the original on 5 March 2009. Retrieved 3 March 2011. In a positive review, ABC described it as "anthemic, edgy, stomping indie rock at its best.""Reviews: Music > Howling Bells: Radio Wars". ABC Online. Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC). (27 February 2009). Archived from the original on 3 March 2009. Retrieved 4 March 2011. It peaked in the Top 30 in Australia and just outside the Top 50 in the UK.Wallace, Ian (13 April 2009). "The ARIA Report"(PDF). ARIA. Australian Recording Industry Association. (998): 6. Archived from on 30 June 2011. Retrieved 26 June 2011. Note: A free, open-source original online document for this reference does not exist. In this case, the original is from Pandora Archive and was preserved there on 20 April 2009.Zywietz, Tobias (19 September 2010). "Chartwatch 2009 Chart Booklet" (PDF). Zobbel.de (originally from OCC ∞ The Official Charts Company). Tobias Zywietz. p. 13. Archived from the original on 26 June 2011. Retrieved 26 June 2011.