The Whistles & The Bells

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,[1] and Modern Plagues in 2017.[2] They are influenced by rock, pop, folk, and electronic music.[3]

The Whistles & The Bells
OriginNashville, Tennessee
GenresAlternative rock
Years active2008—present
LabelsNew West Records
Websitethewhistlesandthebells.com

Formation

Singer-songwriter Bryan Simpson began The Whistles & The Bells as a solo musical venture, inspired by a spiritual awakening he experienced in 2008.[4] He described the project as an "autobiographical snapshot" of his personal struggle in seeking to understand his Creator.[5]

For the band's original lineup, Simpson brought in Matt Menefee and Ross Holmes, members of his previous project, 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.[6] On August 7, 2015, the album was reissued globally by New West Records.[7] It was recorded at Sputnik Sound by Grammy Award-winning engineer Vance Powell, and 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)

Personnel
  • Bryan Simpson – vocals, acoustic and electric guitars, mandolin, fiddle
  • Matthew Menefee – banjo, mandolin, six-string
  • Melvin "Maestro" Lightford – organ, upright piano
  • Byron House – upright and electric bass
  • Adam Stockdale – electric guitar
  • Keio Stroud, Chris Powell, Billy Brimblecom – drums
  • "Fats" Kaplin – steel guitar
  • Rob Ickes – dobro
  • Kai Welch – trumpet
  • Jim Hoke – sax
  • Ross Holmes – violin
  • Nat Smith – cello
  • Jeff Taylor – accordion
  • Eddie Spear – double gong
  • Kristen Rogers, Thad Cockrell, Phoebe Deffenbaugh - backing vocals
  • The Doberman Region aka "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. The album features collaborations with The Raconteurs' Brendan Benson and Matt Menefee. Eddie Spear engineered and co-produced the album with Simpson. Simpson described his intention as trying to create the sound of a "cosmic dinner party".[3]

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 [8]

References
  1. "The Whistles & The Bells, by The Whistles and The Bells". The Whistles and The Bells. Archived from the original on November 26, 2016.
  2. "Modern Plagues, by The Whistles and The Bells". The Whistles and The Bells. Archived from the original on May 6, 2017.
  3. "The Whistles and the Bells". Retrieved February 13, 2018.
  4. "From Cadillac Sky to The Whistles & the Bells, Bryan Simpson Is Back in Full Force". Music Times. March 12, 2014. Archived from the original on February 5, 2018. Retrieved July 20, 2017.
  5. "The Whistles & The Bells – New West Records". newwestrecords.com. Archived from the original on February 6, 2018.
  6. James, Monger. "Apple Music Preview". Apple. Archived from the original on February 5, 2018. Retrieved November 11, 2017.
  7. "The Whistles and the Bells". New West Records. Archived from the original on February 5, 2018.
  8. "Modern Plagues by The Whistles and The Bells". Bandcamp. Archived from the original on May 6, 2017. Retrieved June 9, 2017.
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