Glass Spells, a synth-pop band from San Diego, California, delivers hypnotic female vocals over piercing synths, driving bass lines, and dance beats in their latest EP, Mirrors, Glass Spells' song, "Psychic Lovers" was added to the official Spotify editorial playlist, "Fresh Finds" and "Fresh Finds: Pop" in the summer 2020.
The band consists of Tania Costello (Vocals), Anthony Ramirez (Synthesizers /
Bass), and Michael Buehl (Drums). Glass Spells have won the attention of many by
its characteristic sound, that incorporates several elements from Indie, post punk,
and modern electronic to create rhythms that will be stuck in your head.
I recently had the chance to get to talk and learn more about Glass Spells and their music.
K: What does your band name mean?
Anthony: The band name is like a reference to our sound. Glass: Glassy piercing synths. Spells: magic. When I came up with the band name, I had written down the word spells on my notebook full of other words and ideas. At the time it was when American Horror
Story came out with the coven. I was listening to Heart of Glass by Blonde and it kinda just hit me. Glass Spells, I knew that’s how I wanted to sound like a Glass Spell.
What made you go into music?
Tania: I have always loved performing since I was 10 and loved watching
music videos on all the music channels such as MTV, VHI, Fuse etc.. I was in
show choir in high school, but I didn’t start writing songs until a few years
after graduation when I was at a huge turning point in my life.
Anthony: I got into music late I would say. In my senior year in High School my
friend was selling his bass guitar and he randomly asked me if I wanted to buy
it. I accepted the offer because I wanted to learn how to play songs from the
band The Germs and Siouxsie and the banshees. I much later got into
synthesizers. I’m self taught and have been learning as I go.
K: Who are your influences?
Tania: My influences consist of some 80s artists such as The Cure, Cyndi
Lauper, Depeche Mode and more modern artists such as Class Actress,
Ladytron, Chvrches, AFI and Florence + The Machine.
Anthony: My influences would be some 80’s synth pop bands like: New order,
Depeche Mode, Pet Shop Boys and newer bands likeThe Faint.
K: What did your creative process look like when creating your EP, Mirrors?
Tania: Usually, Anthony would come up with the music first, send me a draft
along with a lyric or two to get me started, and I would listen to the music
and just begin writing what I felt when I listened to the song, adding my own
spin to the lyrics, and constructing the melodies as I go. It’s a lot of back and
forth and tweaking and feedback involved.
Anthony: I typically start with a bass line or melody and start building the
song. Sometimes I start with a lyric idea, hum the melody and translate it on
the keyboard. For me, it’s like building a painting or sculpture, adding layers
to the song. Once I have something I like I send it to Tania and we share ideas.
Each song had a different approach.
K: Overall message you would like your fans to take away from Mirrors?
Tania: When we wrote Mirrors originally, we didn’t do it with a certain
message in mind. I just wrote from experiences, so from that I would just say
the message just kind of ended up being to fight your demons, embrace the
impact and dance the night away.
K: How do you get inspiration to write songs?
Tania: Music is a form of expression for me, so when I am going through
something, whether it’s a moment of fear, sadness or even just watching
shows or hearing themes while listening to music, I write down what comes to
mind and then it morphs from there. Sometimes when I am entrenched in a
feeling I just want to let out, I’ll tell Anthony what type of emotion I’m trying
to express through song, and he will send over a draft and take it from there
as well.
Anthony: I get inspired when I watch shows or movies. I’ll also envision an
idea and get inspired to get on the synthesizer and start writing something
whether it’s a bass line or a melody.
K: what’s next for you? any big projects coming up?
Tania: We are actually in the process of finishing up our Full-length LP called
“Shattered” set to be released later this year! I’m pretty stoked about it!
Anthony: Yes! we have a new full length that we’ve spent a lot of time to
make. A lot more work ahead of us.
K: What advice would you give to aspiring musicians not about the industry and just as
an artist?
Tania: The biggest advice I have for aspiring musicians is to learn from others
and realize that music is a very subjective experience so just keep doing your
thing.
Anthony: Keep learning, keep getting better, stick to your sound that you are
going for, have fun, and don’t give up.
K: Do you follow a process or ritual before a performance?
Tania: One thing I’m trying to be more wary of is to make sure my vocals are
properly warmed up for the performance. I will only drink room temperature
water beforehand and I also make sure I stretch because I tend to move a lot
when I am up on stage.
Anthony: I try to do stretches if I have time. I make sure I drink water and
have water on stage.
K: You’re coming off tour. Where do you go first?
i. Tania: Probably a Mexican restaurant with good California burritos if
I’ve been away from home too long lol
ii. Anthony: I would probably hit my favorite Happy Hour spot!
K: Who do you see first?
Tania: If he wasn’t able to join me on tour, I would definitely see my
husband Colin first without a doubt.
Anthony: My wife Andria.
Follow Glass Spells to keep up with their latest music!
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