# 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, and Modern Plagues in 2017. Their music incorporates elements from rock, pop, folk, and electronic genres.

## Formation

Singer-songwriter Bryan Simpson began the Whistles & the Bells as a solo musical venture, which he says was inspired by a spiritual awakening in 2008. He described the project as an "autobiographical snapshot" of his personal struggle in seeking understanding of a divine creator.
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. On August 7, 2015, the album was reissued globally by New West Records. 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
* 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, 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".

### 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