Sleigh Bells

In case you missed the Austin, Texas, episode a few months ago by the Travel Channel’s former globetrotting rock aficionado, Sleigh Bells – the duo of Alexis Krauss and Derek Miller – invited the cameras along for some pretty awesome-looking barbecue. But Sleigh Bells is becoming a hot ticket for its music, too.

Krauss and Miller met in a Brooklyn, N.Y., restaurant in 2008 and the following year performed at CMJ Music Marathon, where they earned the attention of M.I.A and Mom+Pop Records. They soon had a recording contract and an eponymous EP, which quickly earned glowing reviews from tastemakers and fans alike.

That initial success was followed by Sleigh Bells’ first full-length, Treats, just in time for their Coachella festival debut, and appearances at Primavera and Pitchfork fests.

Agents Sam Kirby and Doug Singer of William Morris Endeavor came on board and put them on the road, building a fan base with opening slots on tours with Yeasayer and LCD Soundsystem. Co-bills with CSS and Neon Indian followed, prepping them for their first headlining caravan in 2012 behind their latest effort, Reign of Terror.

But despite being paired with primarily electronic artists on their first tours, Sleigh Bells is definitely a high-energy rock band that pushes out a lot of sound for two people (plus one more in the touring outfit).

Bourdain wasn’t the only one to discover Sleigh Bells in 2012. A February SNL performance and appearances at Coachella and Lollapalooza led to another round of fall headline shows at 1,000-seat and up venues including Austin’s La Zona Rosa and Chicago’s Metro / Smart Bar.

Sleigh Bells is headed to Australia for the Big Day Out festivals before returning Stateside to record new material. American audiences won’t have to wait long, though; Sleigh Bells will be back on the road in 2013 in support of a third album.