Glass Candy
| Glass Candy | |
|---|---|
 Glass Candy performing at The Smell in Los Angeles on May 21, 2006. From left: Johnny Jewel, Ida No |
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| Background information | |
| Origin | Portland, Oregon, United States |
| Genres | Electropop, synthpop, Italo disco, electroclash, electro rock, dance-punk, indie rock |
| Years active | 1996–present |
| Labels | K, Troubleman Unlimited, Italians Do It Better |
| Associated acts | Chromatics, Desire |
| Members | |
| Ida No Johnny Jewel |
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| Past members | |
| Avalon Kalin Jimi Hey |
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Glass Candy is an American electronic music duo from Portland, Oregon, formed in 1996. The band consists of Ida No (vocals) and producer Johnny Jewel (synthesizers, guitar, general production). While the band's early work blends elements of No Wave and glam rock, their later work incorporates Italo disco. The band is known for evolving through the years since their original collaboration, and experimenting with various musical genres. They have released a number of albums since the early 2000s, their most recent being the compilation album Deep Gems (2008).
Contents |
[edit] History
Glass Candy was formed by Ida No, from Vancouver, Washington, and Johnny Jewel, from Austin, Texas, in 1996.[1] The two met while working together in the video store of a Fred Meyer in Portland, Oregon, just across the Columbia River from No's hometown of Vancouver,WA and soon began producing music under the name "Glass Candy and the Shattered Theatre". No describes their early work as "droney and weird."[1] Nonetheless, their early releases show a heavy glam and New Wave influence, as evidenced in their self-released first three singles, "Brittle Women" (1999), "Metal Gods" (2001) and a cover of Josie Cotton's "Johnny Are You Queer" (2002).[1] They toured with The Convocation Of... in 2001, and released a live album that year on Vermin Scum.[2] Their debut studio album, Love Love Love, was issued on Troubleman Unlimited Records in 2003. Jewel founded Italians Do It Better with Mike Simonetti as a subsidiary of Troubleman.[1] In November 2007, Glass Candy released their second studio album B/E/A/T/B/O/X on Italians Do It Better to considerable critical praise. A compilation album titled Deep Gems was released in late 2008, containing rarities, B-sides and remixes. In a review of Deep Gems, Spin magazine referred to the band as an "[e]ccentric Portland pair" that "spook the dance floor".[3]
Glass Candy's songs were used for a Chloé runway show,[4] as well as used by Karl Lagerfeld for the Spring/Summer '08 Chanel Haute Couture fashion show and the Fall/Winter one of '08/'09.[5]
Glass Candy's song "Digital Versicolour" was featured prominently in Nicolas Winding Refn's 2008 film Bronson, partially in a pair of scenes, and in full over the closing credits. A music video was made for the song in 2005 and starred Australian actress Rose Byrne.
The band's third studio album Body Work is scheduled for release sometime in the future.[6] It was preceded by the single "Warm in the Winter" on September 1, 2011, containing the B-side "Beautiful Object".[7][8] A video for the track "Halloween", another teaser from the album, was released online on October 28, 2011, and is a homage to John Carpenter's 1978 classic of the same name.[9]
[edit] Characteristics
No's vocals have been likened to '60s German singer Nico and "a frightened Debbie Harry or a pissed-off Lene Lovich in a haunted disco".[1] Their work as of 2008 borrows from Italo disco, freestyle music, Krautrock, hip hop, and New Wave.[1]
Jewel has cited Marilyn Monroe films, 1980s cop show soundtracks,[1] Goblin, and John Carpenter soundtracks as inspirational.[10] All music tracks are produced by basic analog equipment, without the use of computers.[11] Critics have also compared the group to Nina Hagen, The Shirelles,[12] David Bowie, James Chance, and Jarboe.[2] Glass Candy has covered songs by James "Sugar Boy" Crawford,[12] Kraftwerk, Roxy Music, Belle Epoque, Dark Day,[13] The Rolling Stones, and Queen. The group has also said that stores could appropriately file their music "between Olivia Newton-John, Suicide and Schoolly D".[10]
[edit] Members
- Current members
- Ida No – vocals
- Johnny Jewel (formerly known as John David P.) – guitar, drums, programming
- Former members
- Avalon Kalin – drums
- Jimi Hey – drums
- Dusty Sparkles – saxophone, drums
- Mark Burden – drums
- Ginger Peachs – drums
[edit] Discography
- Studio albums
- Love Love Love (2003, Troubleman Unlimited)
- B/E/A/T/B/O/X (2007, Italians Do It Better)
- Body Work (TBC)[6]
- Albums sold during tours
- Demos 31, 37 (2001)
- Demos 5.31.2002 (2002)
- The Nite Nurses (2005)
- Music Dream (2006)
- Compilations
- Deep Gems (2008, Italians Do It Better)
- EPs
- Smashed Candy (2001, Vermin Scum)
- Iko (2005, Troubleman Unlimited)
- Feeling Without Touching (2010, Italians Do It Better)
- Singles
- "Brittle Women" (1999, self-released; re-released as "Bräckliga Kvinnor" in 2003 by Troubleman Unlimited)
- "Metal Gods" (2001, self-released)
- "Love on a Plate" (2002, Troubleman Unlimited)
- "Excite Bike" (2003, Troubleman Unlimited)
- "Life After Sundown" (2004, Troubleman Unlimited)
- "I Always Say Yes" (2007, Troubleman Unlimited)
- "Miss Broadway" (2007, Italians Do It Better)
- "Geto Boys" (2009, Italians Do It Better)
- "Warm in the Winter" (2011, Italians Do It Better)
[edit] References
- ^ a b c d e f g Rachel, T. Cole (April 2008). "Welcome to the Good Life". The Fader (53): 74.
- ^ a b Carr, Daphne. "Glass Candy – Biography". Allmusic. Rovi Corporation. http://www.allmusic.com/artist/glass-candy-p485170/biography. Retrieved April 30, 2008.
- ^ Beta, Andy (February 19, 2009). "Glass Candy, 'Deep Gems' (Italians Do It Better)". Spin. Spin Media LLC. http://www.spin.com/reviews/glass-candy-deep-gems-italians-do-it-better. Retrieved April 23, 2009.
- ^ Lobo, Camella (September 14, 2008). "Glass Candy: Alphaville and Adam Ant". L.A. Record. http://larecord.com/interviews/2008/09/14/glass-candy-alphaville-and-adam-ant/. Retrieved March 20, 2009.
- ^ "Glass Candy". Inspire Me. January 16, 2009. http://inspiremeplease.wordpress.com/2009/01/16/glass-candy/. Retrieved March 20, 2009.
- ^ a b "Italians Do It Better Store". Troubleman Unlimited Records. http://www.troublemanunlimited.com/store/idib/. Retrieved January 14, 2012.
- ^ Kaiser, Amanda (November 7, 2011). "Glass Candy || Warm in the Winter". UR Chicago. http://www.urchicago.com/reviews/2011/11/7/glass-candy-warm-in-the-winter.html. Retrieved January 14, 2012.
- ^ "Glass Candy release new single, ready album". FACT. September 5, 2011. http://www.factmag.com/2011/09/05/glass-candy-release-new-single-ready-album/. Retrieved January 14, 2012.
- ^ Amrit (October 31, 2011). "Glass Candy – "Halloween"". Stereogum. http://stereogum.com/863352/glass-candy-halloween/mp3s/. Retrieved January 14, 2012.
- ^ a b Madigan, Claire (October 31, 2007). "MUST-SEE OPENER: Glass Candy". U-T San Diego. http://www.utsandiego.com/weblogs/street/2007/oct/31/must-see-opener-glass-candy/. Retrieved September 8, 2008.
- ^ Rachel 2008, p. 75.
- ^ a b Rachel, p. 154.
- ^ Hogan, Marc (June 22, 2007). "Various Artists: After Dark". Pitchfork Media. http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/10351-after-dark/. Retrieved September 8, 2008.
