With comparisons to Twin Atlantic, Manchester Orchestra, and Deaf Havana, Brighton four-piece Glass City Vice describe themselves as “alt rock with a poppy edge”. Their new EP, ‘Waves’ echoes the style of The Xcerts; soaring melodies with driving guitars and tight instrumentation.
Since forming in 2010, the quartet have played over 200 shows and have shared the stage with acts such as The Audition, Lawson and Freeze The Atlantic.
Now with the release of ‘Waves’ and new material in the works, Glass City Vice are focused and it looks like we will be hearing a lot more about them in the coming months.
We recently caught up with vocalist/guitarist Josh Oliver to discuss a variety of topics; labelling the bands sound, the ‘Waves’ EP, being DIY, and more.
Already Heard: To begin with can you introduce yourself and your role in Glass City Vice?
Glass City Vice: My name is Josh and I sing and play the guitar in Glass City Vice.
AH: For new listeners how would you sum up your sound as I’ve seen a few tags been thrown around like alt rock, indie pop rock and so on.
GCV: This questions always gets me to be honest because what we want to sound like isn’t usually what we sound like, if that makes sense. I would go with alt rock with a poppy edge. Pretty pretentious right?
AH: Despite all the labelling you’ve had, would say your sound is pretty approachable?
GCV: I would say it was approachable. I feel that the newer stuff we have written has a more mature approach so may appeal to a lot of the musos out there. I think rock generally is an approachable genre and we aren’t too heavy to scare people off…
AH: In the past you’ve been compared to bands like Twin Atlantic, Manchester Orchestra, and Deaf Havana. Would you say those comparisons are pretty fair?
GCV: Yeah I would say so. The bands we love are the bands we say we sound like because that’s who we get influence from, hopefully we succeed in that.
AH: Your EP is released this week and is being streamed on Already Heard. Overall what is ‘Waves’ about?
GCV: ‘Waves’ is about that journey you take with someone to try and help them out emotionally but really you know they can only help themselves and won’t listen to anyone else. It is about the frustration you have when you are looking at what they are going through but really you can’t be the one to solve that. It can be related to everyday struggles that people have in their life and how they can overcome that. It’s written as a mixed point of view from the victim if you like and the one trying to help.
AH: Compared to previous releases, how has the bands sound developed on ‘Waves’?
GCV: I think our sound has matured a lot since we first started writing. Although we still have even newer songs than ‘Waves’ this is the start of a new GCV I guess. Before we were trying to hard to get a certain sound and I guess now we are just writing what we love and seeing what comes out.
AH: The EP is being released for free. For a band like GCV, is this the most ideal option?
GCV: I think at our stage it’s really important to get our music out there and listened to. We wanted to give something to everyone that has supported us this far too and maybe a welcome gift to the new fans??
AH: By releasing the EP for free, playing over 200 shows and self-booked numerous tours. Are Glass City Vice a band that believes in Do-It-Yourself?
GCV: Yeah, we love the idea of the DIY route. There are some great bands that have done it this way but it is hard work! I wouldn’t say no to staying DIY but we will have to just see what happens.
AH: Can you tell us how a GCV song comes together, especially the songs on ‘Waves’?
GCV: Usually I will write the initial idea and more recently record it. I’ll send it to the others so they can have a listen. Then we head to the studio to finalise it. It’s usually totally different when we leave the studio which is always exciting.
What impression do you hope people have on GCV after hearing ‘Waves’?
GCV: Err…hopefully you like us and want to hear more?? Or maybe you just laugh and want to hear more? We could be the new Rebecca Black…
AH: Like we mentioned earlier, you’ve played hundreds of shows. Where and when can we expect to see GCV in the coming months?
GCV: We are taking a little while to write some new songs and have been off the radar a bit however we are playing Brighton, Sticky Mikes on the 22nd September and The Elgin, Ladbroke Grove, London on the 24th September. The London show is a really important gig for us and is also free entry (shameless plug). We should be touring either at the end of the year or in the new year.
AH: Finally why should Already Heard readers check out Glass City Vice?
GCV: Because Already Heard readers have awesome music taste! No but seriously I guess it’s worth a shot, we could be your new favourite band…and if you don’t like us its probably only 30 seconds of your life wasted.
‘Waves’ by Glass City Vice is available now and can be purchased here.
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