Genre Indie rock, Indie pop Country of origin United States of America | Official website blackbellrecords.com Founded 2010 | |
Location Brooklyn, New York City, United States | ||
Black Bell Records is an Independent Record Label based in New York City, United States. The label was started in 2010 and owned by Ayad Al Adhamy, who is member of Boston synthpop band, Passion Pit.
The label was started to release the 8-track EP "A Balloon Called Moaning" by The Joy Formidable in the U.S. The New York Times' Jon Pareles praised the EP highly and its "cryptic lyrics that glint with urgency." The release also earned critical raves from Spin and Pitchfork, and praise from Dave Grohl and Steve Nieve, among others.
Black Bell Records followed up with a one-off single with Dom that also featured Madeline from Cults and was produced by Ayad Al Adhamy. This was the first 7" single in a series that included Boston garage-pop band Girlfriends, Hardly Art alumni Pretty & Nice and [(Brooklyn)] duo Secret Music. In support of Record Store Day a limited run of 12" vinyl was made that included tracks by The Joy Formidable, ARMS, Normandy and "Soundcheck" (a 50's Rock n Roll cover band started by Ayad Al Adhamy) Secret Music, Pretty & Nice and Dom.
Black Bell Records inked a distribution deal with ILG / Alternative Distribution Alliance in 2011 shortly after signing Secret Music; whose record would be Black Bells first full-length Album release on March 6, 2012.