Sleigh Bells is an American music group from Brooklyn, New York. The group was formed in 2008 and includes singer Alexis Krauss and guitarist/producer Derek E. Miller. Their music is known for its loud and energetic noise pop style, which mixes sounds from different types of music, such as pop, hip hop, metal, and punk.

After signing with M.I.A.'s N.E.E.T. Recordings and the independent label Mom + Pop Music, Sleigh Bells released their first album, Treats (2010), which received praise from critics. They later released Reign of Terror (2012), Bitter Rivals (2013), and Jessica Rabbit (2016). Their fifth album, Texis, came out in September 2021. A sixth album, Bunky Becky Birthday Boy, was released in April 2025.

History

The two members of Sleigh Bells—Derek Miller and Alexis Krauss—had experience performing and touring in musical groups before forming the band. From age 17 to 22, Miller was a guitarist in a band called Poison the Well. He played on the band’s first three albums but left in 2004 because he had disagreements about the music with the other members. Krauss had experience in theater and television. As a child, she appeared in a commercial for Nickelodeon Magazine and acted in a community theater production of the musical Annie. From age 12 to 16, Krauss was part of a teen pop group called RubyBlue. After RubyBlue ended, Krauss went to college, studied political science, taught Spanish at a school in The Bronx, and performed at weddings for fun.

In March 2008, Miller moved to New York City to find a female singer for music demos he was creating. He worked at a Brazilian restaurant in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, and in July, Krauss and her mother visited the restaurant. Miller asked her mother to help him find a singer, and Krauss agreed. The two met in a park, where she listened to Miller’s demos. In a 2012 interview, Krauss said she thought Miller’s music was interesting but did not expect to work with him. At the time, Krauss was applying for a scholarship called the Rhodes Scholarship but chose to join Miller instead. The band’s name, Sleigh Bells, came from a phrase Miller used to label CDs with his demos.

From the start, Miller and Krauss aimed to earn a living through their music. Krauss said that when they first recorded together, Miller wanted to control the process. “It was like a unique job for me,” she explained. “I knew Derek was in charge—he was producing and writing the songs. He had clear ideas about how the vocals should sound.”

The duo performed at the CMJ Music Marathon in October 2009. They signed with record labels N.E.E.T. Recordings and Mom + Pop Music in March 2010. They quickly recorded a seven-song self-titled EP. Their EP received attention from The Guardian, The New York Times, Pitchfork, and other media. Stereogum named them a Band to Watch in October 2009, and The Guardian called them Band of the Day in December 2009. Their song “Crown on the Ground” was ranked the 57th best track of 2009 by Pitchfork. Miller worked with M.I.A. on a track called “Meds and Feds” from M.I.A.’s album Maya in late 2009 and began recording their first album, Treats, with Krauss in 2010. Most of the tracks from the Sleigh Bells EP were later included on Treats, which was released in May 2010.

The group released “Tell ‘Em,” the first single from Treats, as a free download in April 2010. Treats was praised by Alarm Magazine as “the new master of noise pop,” blending loud electronic beats and gritty guitars into energetic songs. The band performed at festivals like Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in 2010 and 2011, Primavera Sound in 2010, and Pitchfork Music Festival in 2010.

Sleigh Bells began recording their second album in June 2011. Krauss said the new album would have a “huge” sound with lots of volume. On December 2, 2011, the band’s website posted a video teaser for their upcoming album, Reign of Terror. The trailer showed scenes of Krauss preparing for a performance and included concert footage. The video’s background music later appeared in a song called “Rainmaker” on Kid Krushchev.

On December 7, 2011, the band announced the release date and track listing for Reign of Terror. A promotional single, “Born to Lose,” was released on December 15, 2011. Krauss said the album was “much more personal” than their previous work. The album was originally set for release on February 14, 2012, but was delayed until February 21. The band also announced a tour of Florida venues before the album’s release.

Sleigh Bells made their TV debut on Saturday Night Live in February 2012, performing “Comeback Kid” and “End of the Line.” In August 2012, the duo announced a U.S. tour, which included shows with the band Refused and DJ AraabMuzik.

After Reign of Terror was released, Sleigh Bells began working on a third album for a 2013 release. The album, Bitter Rivals, was released in October 2013 and was inspired by the music of Janet Jackson. Krauss said the album would include acoustic guitar riffs and R&B-style vocals. A music video for the title track, “Bitter Rivals,” was released in September 2013. The band toured North America in 2013 with Doldrums and Danny Brown.

In December 2015, Sleigh Bells released a new song called “Champions of Unrestricted Beauty” and announced they were working on their fourth album. The single “Rule Number One” was released in June 2016, followed by “Hyper Dark” in July 2016. In August 2016, the band announced their fourth album, Jessica Rabbit, which was released in November 2016. This was the first album released on their own label, Torn Clean, in partnership with Sinderlyn.

In October 2017, the band announced a mini-album called Kid Krushchev, which was released in November 2017. The lead single, “And Saints,” was released on the same day, followed by “Rainmaker” in October 2017.

In September 2021, the band released an album called Texis, which included a single and music video for “Locust Laced.”

On January 28, 2025, the band shared a new single called “Wanna Start A Band?” and announced a U.S. tour.

Musical style

The band's music mixes simple pop melodies with loud and rhythmic sounds, electronic beats, intense guitar sounds, and soft, dreamy singing. This style is often called noise pop. The band's music has also been described as noise rock, indie rock, dance-punk, electropunk, digital hardcore, experimental pop, alternative rock, and industrial rock. Their first album, Treats, used punk and heavy metal guitar sounds, had influences from glam metal, and included beats similar to those in hip hop and electro music. Their second album, Reign of Terror, combined heavy metal guitar solos with R&B singing.

Heather Phares of AllMusic said the band's work predicted the hyperpop genre and influenced artists like Grimes and Poppy, who "ignored usual music rules and mixed together soft and intense sounds." Ian Cohen of Pitchfork noted their sound also predicted hyperpop and influenced rising artists who "mix catchy, sweet melodies with sharp guitar sounds, while arguments about cheerleading outfits, prom dresses, and using pop-punk ideas from earlier generations continue."

Members

• Alexis Krauss – vocals (2008–present)
• Derek E. Miller – guitar, production, lyrics (2008–present)

• Kate Steinberg – backing vocals, keyboards (2021–present)

• Ryan Primack (Poison the Well) – guitar (2013)
• Chris Maggio (Trap Them) – drums (2013)
• Jason Boyer – guitar (2012–2013)

Sydney Alexis Krauss (born September 27, 1985) is an American singer, songwriter, former teacher, activist, and lead singer of Sleigh Bells. She also helped start Beauty Lies Truth, a website that teaches people about the ingredients in personal care products.

Sydney Alexis Duncan Krauss was born and raised in Manasquan, New Jersey, where she attended Manasquan High School. Her father, Joel Krauss, is a professional musician who was part of Holme and helped start Cats on a Smooth Surface. Her mother, Karen Duncan, is a registered nurse.

Krauss performed in music and musical theater from age 9 until age 16. As a teenager, she sang lead vocals and played bass in an all-girl pop group called RubyBlue. The group recorded two singles and an album that was never released before they stopped performing together.

After leaving music, Krauss went back to school. She studied international studies at Marymount Manhattan College and later earned teaching certificates for elementary and bilingual education at Pace University. She taught elementary school for two years through Teach For America before meeting Derek E. Miller, who was a band member of Sleigh Bells. Miller was working as a server at a restaurant where Krauss and her mother were eating. He told Krauss’s mother he was looking for a vocalist for his music project, and she suggested Krauss.

In February 2014, Krauss and her friend Jessica Assaf started the blog Beauty Lies Truth. The blog teaches people about harmful ingredients in cosmetics and skincare products. It officially launched in August 2014.