Interview: Getting to Know Glaascats (Written)

To celebrate the release of their mesmerising new album ‘Dust’, Switzerland based alternative rock output Glaascats has returned with their stunning new single ‘Anesthesia’! In this interview, we get to know them a little better.

1. Hello! Thank you for taking the time to chat to us. First things first, tell us a little bit about yourself and how you got started.

Glaascats started in 2019 as a duo between 2 siblings Alexander Kamber and Amelia Kamber. During the pandemic in 2020 Jonathan Gay was invited to join the band. Our common goals were and still are to simply create music and make it live as much and as far as possible.

2. Someone comes to you and asks you to sum up what kind of music you play – what do you tell them?

I’d tell them that it’s a power trio setup and the sound coming out of it is soft and gentle. Sometimes a bit provocative and rhythmic. For fans of Sonic Youth, My Bloody Valentine and Big Thief just to name a few. I’d also add that people have said they’d enjoy listening to our music while high (not that they didn’t while sober). Kind of like a Pink Floyd trance where you just let the mind wander.

3. What’s currently keeping you busy? A new album/EP/single release? A new video? Playing live, or planning ahead?

At the moment we’re focused on getting our music heard. In parallel we continue composing for upcoming projects. Friday 24th October we’re releasing a video clip for “Anesthesia” from the album “Dust”. Before the end of the year we’re aiming to release a video clip for “In the Corner” from the same album. In late January a new live session (Foucoupe) in an abandoned warehouse will be released. 2 years ago we already collaborated with the Foucoupe team and we’re huge fans of their ideas. Also we have an EP ready for this Spring.

4. What is about this current period that is particularly exciting for you?

I’d say it’s a relief to have the new album published, now we can focus on promoting it and playing the songs live. It’s also interesting to receive feedback on the album because it’s been morphing with us for 2 years.

5. Tell me about the work that has gone into making it a reality and what it means to you.

The three of us are determined and believe in what we do. Making music isn’t a linear matter, we have our ups and downs. Being together for half a decade is already something to be proud of. We climb upon each task a step at a time so it dampens the whole. We hold dearly to this project because it plays a big part in our lives.

6. Making music and being creative can be a very positive experience and can be very good for the mind. In what way has making music had a positive impact on your mental health?

Making music is lip balm for the heart. It stops everything around you and allows the mind to be in the present. After feeling low or sad, a quick jam with the band and all is good!

7. It can also be incredibly challenging, more so in the modern times. What have been some challenging aspects of making music and how have you overcome them?

Accepting the fact that creativity is its own free being, that consistency in making music also means taking time for oneself doing other things that could potentially inspire to create a song. Allowing time to do its thing and relativising helps to ease frustration when there are no new compositions.

8. How do you handle the online aspects of being in a band? Having to put out content constantly, promoting across several different social media platforms, and having your success measured in likes and follows?

I believe it’s easy to get lost among all these numbers. Especially as an artist you don’t necessarily want to focus on these aspects yet they remain at the core for visibility and growth. It’s quite demanding for artists to be expected to be pluri disciplinary regarding promo, music rights, and administrative matters. At the moment we mostly use Instagram to promote shows and projects. There is so much content out there it’s hard to stand out.

9. How do you make this part of things enjoyable, and fulfilling, for yourself?

We tell ourselves it’s for the best and we assign tasks to keep things balanced. For Example putting a grant submission together is not so enjoyable but the outcome can be great so that is a source of motivation.

10. Speaking directly to listeners – what would you ask they do to help support you?

Generally speaking, assist shows, buy merch, follow and share posts, use Bandcamp.

11. Outside of music, what do you like to do to relax?

Hiking, drawing, playing cards, building stuff and meditating.

12. Where can people find you?

On YouTube, Instagram, Bandcamp, Spotify, at our shows (regularly posted on Instagram).

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