As music dares to hope again, psychedelic pop is the new black and School of Seven Bells are leading the ethereal brigade. Formed by Ben Curtis (formerly of Secret Machines) and sisters Claudia and Alejandra Deheza (formerly On-Air Library!) the Brooklyn trio brings an indie rock sensibility to atmospheric soundscapes. Their Ghostly International debut, Alpinisms, busts out Eastern influences, sampled percussion and vocal harmonies. Mystic and cool, we like.    

What's...  ...so special about you, then?
Everything, really.    

...your worst vice?
Probably Guinness.   

...the best piece of advice you've heard?
I don't follow advice very well. I'm sure I've heard something good somewhere. 

...it like playing with Blonde Redhead’s Simone Pace?
He's so intuitive.  t's how I imagine playing with Jaki Liebezeit from Can would be. We are very lucky to have him on our record.  

...the world coming to?
Probably more of the same. People are, for the most part, irrational. At least, the people in charge are. All I think we can hope for at this point are gradual shifts away from the barbarism society grew from, and hopefully things will begin to get a little less frightening.

...the name of your hero?
Alejandro Elias Deheza-Herren.  

...so special about your hero?
He's Claudia's son!    

...the best thing about the eighties?
Probably my childhood. I lived in Oklahoma, so needless to say I didn't know too much about what was going on! That was nice. 

...the sexiest song of all time?
"Beautiful Ones" by Prince.    
 
...your favourite driving song? 
Anything by Hawkwind, really. I feel like some sort of bad-ass driving a spaceship when that shit is blasting.  

...your holiday cocktail of choice?
A quarter bar of Xanax and a glass of Pinot Noir. 

...your hangover remedy of choice?
A beer. It's cliché for a reason. 

...next year going to bring?
Hopefully more money, because I'm totally broke.    

...your worst fashion secret?
If you wear black, nobody can tell that you're actually wearing the same shit every day.   

 ...your favourite website or blog?
There are some sites that generate Brian Eno's Oblique Strategies for you. That helps waste a second or two.  

...at the top of your shit list?
Whoever stole Claudia's laptop the other night in Montreal. There are few sound people in the United States fighting for the second place in line. Seriously. If you hate music so much, please quit your job. 

What do you want to be when you grow up?
I want to be able to grow a beard if I want to. Sadly that's not looking like it'll ever be a possibility.   

How would you describe your work?
I don't work. I swore it off a few years ago. 

Is there a Santa Claus?
If there is, I feel ripped off.