School of Seven Bells (often abbreviated as SVIIB) was a dream pop/shoegaze… Read Full Bio ↴School of Seven Bells (often abbreviated as SVIIB) was a dream pop/shoegaze/electronic band formed in 2007 in Brooklyn, New York, United States. The initial lineup consisted of Benjamin Curtis (guitar, synthesizers, vocals, production), Alejandra Deheza (vocals, guitar), and her identical twin sister Claudia Deheza (vocals, keyboards).

In October 2010, Claudia Deheza left SVIIB for personal reasons and the band continued as a duo. In 29 December 2013, Curtis (aged 35) died of cancer. School of Seven Bells is named after a mythical South American pickpocket training academy.

The Deheza sisters are former members of On!Air!Library! and Curtis was a former member of Secret Machines and Tripping Daisy. Curtis and the Deheza sisters met when both were opening on an Interpol tour. The three decided to end their commitments to their old bands, move in to a shared space, and create a home recording studio together.

The single "My Cabal" was released in May 2007 on the UK label Sonic Cathedral. A 12"/digital EP, Face to Face on High Places, was released in September 2007 on Table of the Elements. The band toured with Blonde Redhead in September of 2007 and with Prefuse 73 in November of 2007.

School of Seven Bells' debut album, Alpinisms, was released by Ghostly International in the U.S. on 28 October 2008.

Their second studio album, Disconnect From Desire, was released on 13 July 2010. Three singles were released from this album: "Heart Is Strange," "Windstorm," and "I L U."

On 28 February 2012, the band issued their third album, Ghostory. The singles "The Night," "Lafaye," and "Scavenger" helped to promote the album. On 13 November 2012, School of Seven Bells released the EP Put Your Sad Down.

On 29 December 2013, Benjamin Curtis died in New York City. He had been diagnosed with T-Cell lymphoma earlier in the year.

In October 2015, Alejandra Deheza announced that the band's fourth and final album, SVIIB, would be released in February 2016. In November, the band released the first single from the album, "Open Your Eyes."

Official site: http://www.sviib.com

Camarilla
School of Seven Bells Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

What is gained in saying I am that, I've done this
When life is luck of the draw then a battle of wits
More useless to me than a motto is a creed
'Cause this vain imposition is a loaded decision
Hiding in it's vision a treacherous seed

The situation is president
No hero to raise

No villain to defeat
There is only the end you effect
Only the elements to override me
How do you contain a spirit then
With no eyes or ears
How could you please your case
No threat of death to subdue it with
No clock to abide
No body to sustain

She carries
A heart of sand
Her words

Are the surge
Of the ocean

Overall Meaning

The opening lines of School of Seven Bells' song Camarilla questions the value in claiming to be someone or having accomplished something in life when ultimately everything is determined by luck or chance. The lyrics go on to assert that living by a motto or creed is similarly futile because it is laden with personal biases and hidden pitfalls. The singer suggests that underlying even the most positive of creeds is a deadly trap that can lead to self-delusion and erode personal values.

The song then goes on to negate the idea of an external villain or hero who can provide some sort of agency or guidance in life. In a world governed by chance, the only thing that truly matters are the effects individuals have on others and the environment. The lyricist concludes that while it may seem impossible to control life without external influences, it is pointless to try to contain the human spirit, which is not bound by physical barriers.

Overall, the song urges listeners to accept and recognize the random nature of life and to embrace an independent, free-spirited approach to living.

Line by Line Meaning

What is gained in saying I am that, I've done this
Why bother boasting about your accomplishments when life is unpredictable and winning is not entirely under your control

When life is luck of the draw then a battle of wits
Life is a game of chance and intelligence

More useless to me than a motto is a creed
Having a personal philosophy is pointless if it is not backed by meaningful actions

'Cause this vain imposition is a loaded decision
Forcing beliefs on others carries a hidden agenda

Hiding in it's vision a treacherous seed
These beliefs can have negative consequences that are not immediately clear

The situation is precedent
The circumstances are the most important factor

No hero to raise
There is no savior to rely on

No villain to defeat
There is no clear obstacle or enemy to overcome

There is only the end you effect
The outcome is entirely determined by your actions

Only the elements to override me
Your progress can be impacted by external factors

How do you contain a spirit then
How can you control an intangible force

With no eyes or ears
Without traditional senses

How could you please your case
How can you convince others of your perspective

No threat of death to subdue it with
There is no ultimate punishment to deter dissent

No clock to abide
There is no fixed schedule or timeline

No body to sustain
There is no physical form to support or preserve

She carries
She possesses

A heart of sand
An emotional state that is fragile and easily eroded

Her words
The things she says

Are the surge
Have the power and intensity

Of the ocean
Of a vast and powerful force

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, SC PUBLISHING DBA SECRETLY CANADIAN PUB., Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: ALEJANDRA DEHEZA, BENJAMIN DAVID CURTIS, CLAUDIA DEHEZA

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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