Hi and welcome to Progressive Rock Journal! It’s a real pleasure to have you here. Today we’ll talk about your brand new single “Absolution,” a powerful preview of the upcoming EP “Afterglow.” We’re excited to explore your musical vision, the creative process behind the new material, and the journey that brought you here. Let’s get started!
First of all, how are you guys doing at the moment?
We’re doing good, excited to be writing and releasing music again!
For those who are just discovering you, could you introduce Glass Lungs and tell us how the project originally came to life back in 2015?
Sure! We were all previously in different metal bands that had played shows and toured together just looking to play something a little different than what we were used to. None of us were really friends before the band so it was originally called “Strangers”. About a year or so in we changed the name to Glass Lungs.
Your music blends dreamy, ethereal textures with heavier, Prog elements. How would you personally define the sound of Glass Lungs?
I mean, that’s a a pretty good description right there. We’ve always liked writing something beautiful that has a sort of haunt lingering inside of it. It’s fun to also push the boundaries of touching upon our more metal past without being seen as part of that genre in a way. We love everything from early emo to doom metal and I think we touch upon all of it.
What are the main influences that have shaped your sound over the years, both individually and as a band?
Oh man, great question. Early on we loved “The Inevitable and I” album from the band HRVRD, Foxing, From Indian Lakes and bands in that realm. After a long hiatus, other projects and 2 new members, a lot of new influences emerged. Things from surf-goth to more shoe-gaze styles and even going back to our teenage roots like Deftones started to come out.
Let’s talk about “Absolution,” your latest single — what’s the story behind it, both lyrically and musically?
“Absolution” hits hard, both lyrically and musically. We constantly debate, like a pre rehearsal ritual, and this topic just seemed to not change but the instrumentals sure did… we went through six or eight different choruses and months of revisions to get it where it is and I think the looming feeling of getting that song finished coupled with the constant debates about what was happening in Gaza, they kind of went hand in hand.
You mention that the song explores powerful themes like the consequences of division and violence. How important is it for you to address such topics in your music?
Yeah, this is actually the first time we went political, and honestly we weren’t sure about it when Chad came to us with the lyrics but he was adamant about touching on the subject. We usually write about loss, mental health, depression and internal struggle. I don’t think we will actively write politically but this was something that needed to come out.
“Absolution” comes ahead of your new EP “Afterglow.” How would you describe the overall atmosphere and themes of this release?
Well, more similarly to our old material, we love to invoke raw emotion and with this release I think we’ve really honed in on that. Glass Lungs songs are a story and the instrumentals are there to guide you through it. Take a minute and immerse yourself in it.
Could you walk us through the writing and recording process of “Afterglow”? Did it differ from your previous works in any way?
Yeah, so Afterglow differs because we are a lot more critical of ourselves than we previously were. There is a lot more questions of “why?”, “why is this section here and what purpose does it serve, how does it relate to the other sections of the song?” We don’t work on any song we don’t plan to finish, there is no such thing as Glass Lungs b-sides or songs that didn’t make the cut. Once we start moving on an idea we’re going to work on it till it’s done, even if not a single original part stays. We all write together in the same room, the process is very slow but extremely collaborative and everyone’s influence comes through. I am very particular when it comes to our sound and the tones we use, so much so that I had the baritone guitar tracks reamped twice because they just weren’t right.
The EP tracklist features songs like “Hideaway,” “Labyrinth,” and “Misery.” Are there particular tracks that you feel are especially personal or meaningful for the band?
Chad, our singer is like a brother to me, we’ve been working together for roughly a decade now. I’ve seen him through his ups and his downs and numerous life changes. Chad puts his life into the lyrics of these songs, he won’t change things if they don’t make sense to his story and I respect that a lot about him, not letting his creativity be swayed. All these songs are real life looks into his mind and what he’s experienced.
Let’s talk about the live aspect: do you have any upcoming shows or tour plans to promote “Afterglow”? What can fans expect from a Glass Lungs live set?
A Glass Lungs live set is a lot of energy and huge sound, it’s a different experience than the records, for sure! If you think the records take you on a journey, the live set is on another level. We’re very particular about what shows and venues we take on because if we can’t put on the show we want people to experience, it not worth it for us. So what I will say is, if you’re looking to see us live, definitely come when we announce shows because they are few and far between.
What have been some of your most memorable live experiences so far?
There is nothing better than being with your band in a smelly van on the road, haha!
How do you view the current independent Rock scene, both in Brooklyn and internationally? Do you feel the “Mood Gaze” approach has found its space?
We’ve constantly talked over and over about where we fit. It’s always been hard for us to relate to other bands. It’s always felt like we were too soft for the metal heads and too hard for the indie crowd which is why we came up with “mood-gaze”. We’re letting you know we’re not a typical but a type of shoe-gaze but if you like effects and emotion, check us out.
Finally, is there any message you’d like to share with your fans and with ProgRock Journal readers who are just getting into your music?
I’d say, listen with headphones, take in the nuance, each time you listen you’ll hear something new, give it your attention and you’ll hear more than what’s on the surface.
Thank you for your time and for sharing more about “Absolution” and “Afterglow.” We’re looking forward to hearing the full EP and seeing what comes next for Glass Lungs!