Howling Bells on Vinyl

Howling Bells came together in Sydney before relocating to London, built around siblings Juanita and Joel Stein alongside a rhythm section that gave the band its widescreen, atmospheric sound. Their self-titled 2006 debut arrived fully formed — moody, romantic, and steeped in a kind of nocturnal Americana filtered through a distinctly Australian outsider's eye, drawing comparisons to Mazzy Star and early PJ Harvey. Juanita Stein's voice was the band's defining instrument: low, unhurried, and dramatic without ever overplaying its hand. The record built a devoted following on the strength of word of mouth and late-night radio play rather than hits, and two decades on it's remembered as one of the more atmospheric and quietly influential debuts of its era — a record that rewarded patience rather than chasing the moment.