page_title: Howling Bells
section_title: Heartstrings (2013-2014)
hierarchical_section_title: Howling Bells / History / Heartstrings (2013-2014)
caption_attribution_description: English: Joel Stein of Howling Bells performs at King Tut's in Glasgow, Scotland on 5 June 2014.
context_page_description: Howling Bells are an indie rock band that formed in Sydney in 2004. The band obtained moderate popularity in the United Kingdom following the release of its 2006 self-titled debut album. The lineup consists of Juanita Stein, Glenn Moule, Juanita's brother Joel Stein, and Gary Daines.
  Originally called Waikiki, the band changed its name and musical style preceding its move from Australia to England. Howling Bells' debut album, Howling Bells, was produced by Ken Nelson. The album charted in the Top 100 in the UK and just outside the Top 50 in Australia, and it was included on Album of the Year lists for a number of publications. The band's next release, Radio Wars, received mixed reviews, although it charted higher than its predecessor in both the UK and Australia. The band supported Coldplay on the third leg of the North American Viva la Vida Tour. In 2009, Gigwise named Juanita Stein "the sexiest woman in rock." Their third album, The Loudest Engine, received largely favourable reviews but underperformed on the charts in comparison to the bands' two prior releases. In 2011, original Howling Bells bass guitarist, Brendan Picchio, left the band.
context_section_description: Heartstrings materialized following a brief hiatus by Howling Bells, whereupon the band members worked on other projects. Additionally, Juanita became a first-time mother after giving birth. This, along with frustration from the long period of inactivity and creation inspired her and she started to write songs again, at which point she got the other members of the band involved. They made demos and sent them out to prospective producers, one being Alan Moulder (Nine Inch Nails, The Smashing Pumpkins). Moulder was busy at the time so he recommended that the band contact an assistant of his, Catherine J. Marks (Foals, The Killers), who after meeting, Howling Bells chose to produce the album.
  In November 2013, Howling Bells recorded Heartstrings at Assault & Battery Studios, in London. The album was primarily produced by Marks, but Moulder supported the effort and was given credit as co-producer. Marks set the tone of the environment in the recording studio and the band felt extremely open and comfortable in her presence. Her female nature was credited with her ability to elicit exceptional performances from the band, more so than any of her record producer counterparts who worked with Howling Bells previously. The band moved on from former label Cooking Vinyl and established a partnership with Birthday Records, a small, independent record label founded by former Kaiser Chiefs drummer, Nick Hodgson.
  Heartstrings was released worldwide in June 2014. The album received generally favourable reviews from music critics. NME rated it 7/10 and professed, "Howling Bells aren't back to their best, but they're within touching distance". Q magazine rated it 3/5 and commented, "Heartstrings lacks the killer song that would bring Howling Bells the success they undoubtedly crave". The album failed to chart in any nation. Howling Bells headlined shows throughout the UK in May and June. They played V Festival in the UK in August and a short series of shows in Australia and New Zealand in September.
caption: Joel Stein, King Tut's, 2014.
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