Think of Kristin Stewart say Band of Horses

Band of Horses got an unexpected profile boost when their song was included on the hit <i>Twilight</i> soundtrack. Photo / Supplied

A few weeks ago, one Twitter user said: "Every time I hear Band of Horses I think Kristin." That's Kristin Stewart, of vampire-werewolf film series Twilight.

Pairing a dreamily melodic alt-rock band from Seattle with a hit movie franchise might seem a little curious.

Band of Horses frontman Ben Bridwell confessed he was as surprised as his indie purist followers when the band's B-side, Life On Earth, was chosen for the soundtrack of the third Twilight film, Eclipse.

He hasn't seen the film but figures Kristin Stewart isn't the worst image a song could leave in a listener's brain.

"She's prettier than me, I'm glad they're thinking of her, not me," he laughs.

The Eclipse soundtrack extended Band of Horses' profile at a convenient time as they released their third album, Infinite Arms, a month before the movie came out. The self-produced record has been described as their most accessible - and their audience is growing. This week's Auckland show is at the Powerstation, a bigger venue than the Kings Arms where they played two years ago.

Infinite Arms is still distinctly Band of Horses - all soaring melodies, rustic rhythms and lofty lyrics - but it sounds more polished than previous releases. The album may have divided a few of the old fans but, if the online nattering is anything to go by, a new bunch is listening to it on loop.

Bridwell says the sleeker feel of the album reflects the five-piece's new line-up. After several member changes, he says it finally feels like a real band.

"Bill (Reynolds) and Tyler (Ramsay) rounded out the bunch about three years ago. It just took finding the right people really and having that cohesion.

"I've been searching for that for a long time and it took everyone that's in the band now to finally get there."

These days, it's not a case of Bridwell playing the lead horse. He still writes the majority of songs, but every member has contributed melodies, lyrics and ideas to Infinite Arms.

Ramsay wrote Evening Kitchen, for which he sang lead vocals. Ryan Monroe wrote the song Older and Reynolds wrote the music to some of the other songs.

Bridwell insists they are also a cohesive unit behind the scenes.

"The fact that we genuinely get along on tour means we genuinely miss each other when we are off tour. And constantly send each other songs that we are working on and stuff like that, always looking to each other for help," he says.

"Off-tour we are also best friends so it's a nice aspect to have in this band."

He's not sure which direction they will take next or if they will find a new producer - he says he has been writing "totally crappy" songs and hopes something better comes to him soon - but whatever happens, Bridwell hopes to keep the band evolving into a collaboration.

"I feel like showcasing everyone's talents on this record is just the tip of the iceberg. I'm probably kind of moving the chess pieces in this way so that even if I was to die or something, the band would still be able to continue."
LOWDOWN

Who: Ben Bridwell, frontman for Seattle's Band of Horses
When and where: Tuesday, The Powerstation
Latest album: Infinite Arms, out now

-NZ Herald / TimeOut