Originally called Waikiki, the band changed its name and musical style preceding its move from Australia to England.

The band's next release, Radio Wars (2009), received mixed reviews, although it charted higher than its predecessor in both the UK and Australia.

Their third album, The Loudest Engine (2011), received largely favourable reviews but underperformed on the charts in comparison to the bands' two prior releases.

[10][11] In 2004, the band changed its name to Howling Bells, as its members felt that phrase better embodied its newly adapted indie rock style.

[21] Howling Bells exhibited a brooding sound, and it was a departure from the poppier style of music demonstrated by Waikiki.

[25][26][27] The group played extensive UK club shows with many artists, including The Young Knives and Hank & Lily.

[40] They performed at numerous festivals during the northern hemisphere's summer months in 2006 and 2007, including Reading and Leeds and Latitude.

Howling Bells parted ways with Bella Union and, in 2008, signed a deal with record label Independiente.

[52][53] Howling Bells headlined a tour of the UK in March 2009, supported by The Joy Formidable and Chew Lips.

[27][54] The band played more festivals in Europe, including Hop Farm, Hard Rock Calling, and Pukkelpop.

[60] Howling Bells began writing material for The Loudest Engine in mid–2009, and expressed hope that 2010 would see the release of the album, but it did not.

[63] In September 2010, Howling Bells started recording The Loudest Engine at the Killers-owned Battle Born Studios in Las Vegas.

[73] This, along with frustration from the long period of inactivity and creation inspired her and she started to write songs again, at which point she got the other members of the band involved.

[73][74] Marks set the tone of the environment in the recording studio and the band felt extremely open and comfortable in her presence.

Her female nature was credited with her ability to elicit exceptional performances from the band, more so than any of her record producer counterparts who worked with Howling Bells previously.

[80] Q magazine rated it 3/5 and commented, "Heartstrings lacks the killer song that would bring Howling Bells the success they undoubtedly crave".

In a Facebook post, Juanita Stein described the band's inactivity as "an unplanned hiatus" while also announcing her launch of a solo career.

[84] In November 2017, Joel Stein's solo project, Glassmaps, released Strangely Addicted, their debut album.

In January 2022, the band reunited to perform their debut album in its entirety at a series of live gigs at various venues throughout the UK, including Brighton, Manchester and London.

[86] Members of Howling Bells cited The Beatles, Charles Mingus, Peter Green, Vinnie Colaiuta, and Jimi Hendrix as influences.

[4][87] The catalyst for the change from Waikiki to Howling Bells was Juanita and Joel's trip to see Black Rebel Motorcycle Club in Australia.

[10][88] The band's style has been compared to that of Siouxsie and the Banshees,[89] PJ Harvey, The Velvet Underground, Nick Cave, Mazzy Star, and The Duke Spirit.

[10][90] Stein has cited female singers such as Siouxsie Sioux, PJ Harvey, Chrissie Hynde and Debbie Harry.

[97] To describe the sound of Howling Bells' debut album, critics used terms like dark, brooding, and Americana.

[98] NME described it as "the sound of PJ Harvey hitching a ride with The Velvet Underground through Twin Peaks.

[44] The Loudest Engine features a sound adapted to the genres of folk and rock, more so than the previous two Howling Bells records.

[102] Juanita explained that the band relied less on the sound technology that was prominent in Radio Wars, instead returning to the more organic state of Howling Bells.

[103] Howling Bells were inspired by The Doors documentary When You're Strange, which the members watched just before beginning to record The Loudest Engine.

[105][106] Howling Bells along with the production team watched Paris, Texas and Blue Velvet, in an effort to replicate the mood, emotion, and atmosphere of these two films in particular.

[75][105] Other films that played a significant role in the making of Heartstrings include, Badlands, Bonnie and Clyde, Klute, Léon: The Professional, Nashville, Pleasantville, The Last Picture Show, and Vivre sa vie.