Label: self-released Genre: chamber pop Hometown: Seattle, WA Influences: Leonard Cohen, Jocelyn Pook, Hector Berlioz Sounds like: Björk, Radiohead, Devotchka
Ian Williams’ and Katie Mosehauer’s meticulous songwriting and production make up the centrifuge around which Glass Heart String Choir’s music spins.
The roles have been established over ten years of collaboration: Ian writes the lyrics, assembling songs into rawbone skeletons. He sends them to Katie, who adds flavor and layering. The song bounces back and forth, back and forth: Ian, the messenger, Katie the interpreter. Eventually, all the pieces are in place. Having built their own studio four years ago in hopes of creating a space where they could freely experiment with technique and sound layering, Glass Heart String Choir are able to take their time engineering and mixing, capturing every feature flawlessly.
New EP Light – engineered to perfection – deals in many ways with insecurity. Threaded primarily around uncertainty, anxiety, and the feelings of inability that come alongside not being able to capture beauty in a way that does it justice, Glass Heart String Choir nonetheless gorgeous EP is lush and layered, playing with surging vocals over baroque musical sheets, weaving together intricate stories that express levelling doubt. Pieced together meticulously by two classically trained composers, it’s a testament to the band’s sensitivity and work ethic: a tonal masterpiece that grounds listeners in reality as it flies them away with wonderment.
Here at Screams Media, we sat down to take in this new EP and are happy to share feedback.
WILDFIRES is the first track and lasts 3:27. This band may reference themselves as sounding similar to the artists listed at the beginning of this article, but the first thing that ran through my head was "Florence And The Machine." Beautiful and interesting vocals that blend so well with the soft background instrumentals. This was a great way to start this EP and set the tone for the remaining four songs.
DARKEST DAY lasts 3:18 seconds and although the general feel of this EP so far is calming, this song produces still an even more relaxing vibe than Wildfires. The instrumentals are soft and tranquil, like listening to a lullaby. The lyrics pull at the strings of the heart and transitions beautifully into the next track.
LIGHT lasting 4:07, this track uses a range of tones and tempos. Starting out calm, slow and quiet, it picks up very quickly for the chorus. The title of this track is a little misleading at first, I anticipated a faster or happy type of song, but it remains true to the feel of the previous songs and offers soul-searching lyrical content.
WINTER this track is 3:49 long and is my personal favourite song from this EP. With relatable lyrics and gives a strong message to live our lives, allow ourselves to feel, grow and push through pain to emerge stronger and smarter. "Let the moonlight cover me, let the old leaves cover me, and come the spring time, I'll have moved on."
YOUR VOICE is the last song from this EP and is the longest track as well lasting 5:13. Pulling in a mixture of all the pleasant acoustic sounds of the stringed instruments and a wide range of high tones as the song grows close to the end, it was the perfect way to bring this gentle, serene EP to an end. A very satisfying listen from start to finish that left me feeling soothed and rested.
Upcoming Shows
November 17th // Seattle, WA // Gallery 1412 November 18th // Seattle, WA // Gallery 1412 November 30th // Portland, OR // Artichoke Music December 1st // Bellingham, WA // Alternative Library January 25th // Leavenworth, WA // Timbrrr! Winter Music Festival February 8th // Olga, WA // Doe Bay Resort and Retreat
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