Following the reissue of Recording a Tape the Colour of the Light in December, Erased Tapes are thrilled to announce the reissue of the band’s second album As Seen Through Windows out on April 28 — including a digital Special Edition version featuring three previously unreleased bonus tracks, all featuring saxophonist and friend of the band, Colin Stetson. Expanding further on the foundation that Recording a Tape the Colour of the Light laid, the group refined and tightened their sound on this masterpiece. The dynamic lead single ‘Open Organ’ is one of the pieces that have never been heard before — now streaming everywhere, with the vinyl edition on pre-order.

"’Open Organ’ started as an idea at my and Pietro’s loft “The Bread Factory”, where we used to do Bell Orchestre shows and parties. We recorded some of the song with Mark Lawson on tape at the old Arcade Fire church studio (Petite Église) in Quebec — speeding up and slowing down the tape machine to record all the drum rolls and wood blocks, experimenting with pitches bending upwards and downwards. And then the second half we recorded with John McEntire at Soma in Chicago. Colin Stetson and Andy King came along to add extra trumpet firepower." – Richard Reed Parry, Bell Orchestre.

Bell Orchestre retreated to Banff Centre in the rocky mountains of Alberta to write the follow-up to their debut album. The title As Seen Through Windows is inspired by the rehearsal space where it was written. The room had two exterior walls entirely made of windows, and with the cinematic view of the mountains they saw occasional herds of elks and deers passing by.

The album was produced by John McEntire (Stereolab, Jeff Parker), drummer and producer of the legendary Chicago post-rock band Tortoise. McEntire had been the group’s dream producer to work with. “I think I was more starstruck around John McEntire than I’d been around anyone before,” says violinist Sarah Neufeld. McEntire was up for trying anything in the studio, and inspired the band endlessly.

Now looking back at the recording sessions, lap steel guitarist Michael Feuerstack remembers “I don’t know how aware we were of the uniqueness of our bond and the resulting methods of music making, but they are very evident across this recording.”

Following the original release, they went on to tour the world, from festivals and theatres to small venues and squats.

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“It crystallizes Bell Orchestre as a group whose talented players voraciously consume the world around it and re-channel its varied histories into the works” — Pitchfork

“Triumphant and majestic… Windows bends each instrument to its will, distressing, texturizing, and squeezing out every sonic option” — AllMusic

“Joyous, triumphant” — Drowned in Sound