Check out the new movie, WUTHERING HIGH on Lifetime to hear our song “Getting By” (from the album CLOSE DOWN THE WOODS)! Check your local listings, or stream it online!
“Getting By” also appears on our 12″ vinyl CURRENT available online at our official store!
We’re excited to share a mini documentary featuring yours truly (Sarah Ellquist DeBlanke), my partner in crime, Daniel DeBlanke and some of our new music, aka WESTERN BELLS.
Filmmaker, Marcus Ubungen followed us around for a few days late last year, at home, in the studio, and around town as we were putting the finishing touches on our debut collection of songs. (Shout out to Origami Vinyl, Bedrock LA, United Recording, and our very understanding neighbors in Silver Lake.)
The experience was nothing short awesome, and we’re excited that SAMSUNG is sharing it with the world.
Get the first two WESTERN BELLS singles (“HEARTS & STARS” and “TIME TRAVELS”) through our store and everywhere else you buy or stream music worldwide.
Find out more about mine and other Samsung Owner stories HERE
xo Sarah / WESTERN BELLS
A while back we got asked to write a song for Season 2 of Orange is the New Black (long story). We’re big fans, so it was a no-brainer.
The show ended up not using the track (waaaahhhhh), but the good news is, now we get to share it with you! Download it for free on bandcamp! Or get it on iTunes etc. everywhere else in the world next month!
A while back we recorded a live session at the House of Rock studio. We hadn’t performed in a few months, but had a few new songs swirling around, so we decided to perform a few and jump-start our new record. We got home, listened through the sessions and liked what we heard… but as anyone who has ever written a collection of songs knows, you often find yourself shifting directions on a whim, and the songs that you love suddenly don’t fit in. We played one show after that session and then one by one we slashed out our favorites. The new songs that emerged were something else entirely – something not quite “ROBOTANISTS.”
There’s a funny thing that happens when you’ve been in a band for a while. The music takes on its own identity. You build walls to keep you on-track musically. No matter how much the music evolves it still has an inherent sameness.
But for those that create, the heart and mind often wander beyond genres, and impulse dictates direction. That being said, ROBOTANISTS for us, is progressive, it’s somber, its sexy and spiteful and hopelessly romantic, but guarded. What we began to write following that last session wasn’t any of those things… WESTERN BELLS was born.
There’s a misperception that bands change their names to feel fresh and new, but this was not a “name change,” it was something else entirely that could breathe and exist on its own. That realization sent us into a tailspin of demo making. We wrote an album, scored a film, and performed as a duo then a trio.
Before we could finish the WESTERN BELLS album that derailed us completely, we were approached to write a song inspired by an action film. Everything changed, once again. ROBOTANISTS was back, and those House of Rock songs were off the table.
So now we’re back at square one, writing a brand new album — a “Michael Bay” album, unlike anything you’ve heard from us. It’s full of action, suspense, guitars and synths and you will hear it before the end of the year. WE PROMISE (well, we’ll try at least).
In the meantime, check out our other projects… WESTERN BELLS and our delightfully sweet pop duo, LAMB SHARK, and go see Daniel DeBlanke on tour with WHITE SEA in May and June!
Oh and what about all those scrapped demos from 2012 and 2013 we’ll probably give them away for free soon. Stay tuned.
xo sarah
This just in, from Pitchfork… our very own Daniel DeBlanke (ROBOTANISTS / WESTERN BELLS) is going on tour with White Sea this month (tour dates below). Go see them and buy the new record!
White Sea is Morgan Kibby, member of M83 on Saturdays=Youth and Hurry Up, We’re Dreaming. Her debut LP In Cold Blood is out May 20 via Crush Music/Songs. She’s already shared “Prague”; that’s “Future Husbands Past Lives” above. Find her upcoming tour dates below.
Here’s what Kibby said about the album in a press release:
“This record couldn’t have been more self-reflective or personal if I had tried. I took many cues from Prince, Donna Summer and countless films to hopefully impart a deeply moving and almost visual experience for people when they listen.”
White Sea:
05-23 George, WA – Sasquatch! Festival
05-24 Boise, ID – Knitting Factory *
05-26 Salt Lake City, UT – The Depot *
05-27 Boulder, CO – Boulder Theater *
05-28 Omaha, NE – The Slowdown *
05-30 Kansas City, MO – Summer Concert Series Power & Light District *
05-31 Tulsa, OK – Brady Theater *
06-01 Houston, TX – Free Press Summer Festival
06-03 Milwaukee, WI – Pabst Theater *
06-04 Columbus, OH – Newport Music Hall *
06-05 Pittsburgh, PA – Stage AE *
06-08 Richmond, VA – The National *
06-10 Orlando, FL – Beacham Theater *
06-11 Miami, FL – Grand Central *
* with The Naked and Famous
ROBOTANISTS 