The Whistles & the Bells is an American experimental alt-rock band based in Nashville, Tennessee, that serves as a moniker for singer-songwriter and producer Bryan Simpson. The band has released two full-length studio albums: The Whistles & the Bells in 2015 and Modern Plagues in 2017. Their music incorporates elements of rock, pop, folk, and electronic.
Formation Singer-songwriter Bryan Simpson began the Whistles & the Bells as a solo venture in 2008. For its original lineup, Simpson brought in Matt Menefee and Ross Holmes, members of his previous project, the progressive bluegrass band Cadillac Sky, with which he had released three albums.
The Whistles & the Bells Simpson self-released the band's eponymous debut album in 2014. It was recorded at Sputnik Sound by Grammy Award-winning engineer Vance Powell, together with Eddie Spear. All songs were written by Simpson except "Ghost Town" and "Ghetto Gold" (Simpson and Thad Cokrell), and "Last Night God Sang Me a Song" (Ben Kyle and Simpson). On August 7, 2015, the record was reissued globally by New West Records.
Personnel Bryan Simpson – vocals, acoustic and electric guitars, mandolin, fiddle Matthew Menefee – banjo, mandolin Melvin "Maestro" Lightford – organ, piano Byron House – piano and bass Adam Stockdale – electric guitar Keio Stroud, Chris Powell, Billy Brimblecom – drums "Fats" Kaplin – steel guitar Rob Ickes – guitar Kai Welch – trumpet Jim Hoke – saxophone Ross Holmes – violin Nat Smith – cello Jeff Taylor – accordion Eddie Spear – double gong Kristen Rogers, Thad Cockrell, Phoebe Deffenbaugh – backing vocals The Doberman Region, "Crisco and Boots", Edward Spear – additional vocals
The Stars in My Sky Choir: Kristi Simpson, Nathan Meredith, Matt and Brittany Jenkins, Brent Rupard, Nathan Belt, Doctor Proctor, Taylor Jones, Bruno and Caitie Jones, Aaron Mandalak, Gary and Debra Sadler
Produced by B. Simpson Engineering: Vance Powell, Eddie Spear, Ben Phillips, Matt Gordon Mixing Engineer: Vance Powell, Eddie Spear Mastered by: Chris Athens
Modern Plagues The band's second album, Modern Plagues, was released on April 28, 2017, by New West Records. It features collaborations with the Raconteurs' Brendan Benson and Matt Menefee. Eddie Spear engineered and co-produced the album with Simpson.
Personnel Bryan Simpson – vocals, guitar, mandolin Matt Menefee – banjo, electric guitar, synth, piano, mandocello Brooke Waggoner – piano, organ, synth Royal Masat – electric and upright bass Adam Stockdale – electric guitar Dave Jackson – drums Chris Powell – drums on "Spiral Staircase" Eddie Spear – hookah on "Harry Potter," tambourine and animal drums on "Zombie Heartz" Jon Estes – electric bass on "Year of the Freak Out" and "40 Years" John Painter – horns Timbre – harp Eli Bishop & Tyler Andal – violins Emily Nelson – cello Tyler Summers – flute, clarinet Phoebe Cryar – featured lead on "Supadope" Phoebe Cryar, Callie Cryar Pittman, Doberman Region Act 2 – background vocals on "Head in the Sand", Uncle Buffalo
Produced by: Eddie Spear and Bryan Simpson Recorded by: Eddie Spear at Sound Emporium – Nashville, TN; "Spiral Staircase" recorded at Omni Studios, Nashville, TN Assistant Engineer: Zach Pancoast, Jordan Harrell, Logan Yandell Mixed by: Eddie Spear Mastered by: Chris Athens at Chris Athens Mastering, Austin, TX Management: Santo Pullella at Head West Management
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