The Great Escape
It is October, and we are closing in on the first SXSW Music announcement. From 2013 to 2019, this was a major cause for excitement for us: the moment when our days at the festival began taking shape. In 2020, the pandemic ended our SXSW streak. But while I would go to Austin again in a heartbeat, I’m not too unhappy that the spell is broken. Attending the festival is a considerable effort in time and money, and these resources can be better used for new experiences than trying to repeat a similar one year by year.
That does not mean we cannot be excited about the SXSW lineup announcements. They are an excellent source for discovering and rediscovering music, hence we will cover this on glamglare. If you plan to go to the festival next March, we hope we can give you some ideas for your schedule. If not, we will try to convey at least some of the excitement about the world’s biggest showcase festival.
In the mood to explore something new, we will head to a different spring festival next year: The Great Escape in Brighton, UK. From May 14 to 17 typically 450 acts play the seaside city in South England. Fifty of them have already been announced, and we know only a single one: Chloe Qisha, who I discovered through a UK blog, Teases and Dares, and not via PR or direct submissions. That hints that we will gain an entirely new perspective on the UK music scene.
Also, please check out our refreshed site, where you can now scroll through nine years worth of Song Pick of the Day features. Enjoy!
glamglare favorites
Listen to glamglare favorites on Spotify or below on YouTube.
Penelope Isles - “Chlorine”
The only Brighton band we ever interviewed with, but luckily not the only one we ever met personally, are Penelope Isles. The band around siblings Lily and Jack Wolter is ever-evolving, and Lily and Jack are also involved in other cool projects. Truly gifted artists! Listen to “Chlorine” from their 2019 album Until the Tide Creeps In and check out our Q&A.
CIEL - “Fine Everything”
We’re featuring so many (young) indie bands on glamglare and when we’re checking back on them years later, they’re not necessarily still around anymore. I was worried that CIEL might not but, get that, they’re the direct support for no other than Jesus and Mary Chain on their U.K. tour later this year. Listen here.
The Kooks - “Cold Heart”
I don’t think The Kooks need any introduction, and I am also aware that people often either love or hate the Brighton pop-rock band. However, I don’t get what’s so polarizing about them because I have loved their music ever since their 2006 album Inside In / Inside Out. Listen here.
Dream Wife - “Orbit”
Rachel, Alice, and Bella met while studying at Brighton University and that’s why they often get called a Brighton band, despite living in London or Reykjavik when not on tour. Having a Dream Wife song on your playlist is always a good thing, hence “Orbit.”
Lime Garden - “Love Song”
The Brighton four-piece comes to the US, playing Baby’s All Right on October 24. However I’ll miss their show due to another exciting show on the same day and time. But is there a chance in Brighton next year? Listen here.
Song Pick of the Day
Listen to/watch all seven songs on [YouTube](Link Here). Follow our daily updated playlists on YouTube and Spotify for the 50 latest Song Pick of the Day features or subscribe here to receive them into your mailbox in real-time. Thank you for following us and sharing the excitement.
- Siobhan Sainte - Orchid
- Dalia - everything’s different
- ROSIN - nest
- Caroline Says - Dust
- Jenny Newman - PDA
- Laura Adeline - Curbside
New Albums Out This Week
Tomorrow, the Manchester band W.H. Lung is releasing their third album, Every Inch of Earth Pulsates. We have been fans of their shimmering krautrock-inspired music since their debut record in 2019.
The L.A. singer/songwriter Jenny Newman explores the five love languages in the six songs of her new record Love Languages, including one that should resonate with all cat lovers.
Nine Photos of a Birthday Beautifully Celebrated
Whenever possible, Oliver and I take the day of our birthdays off, add another day or two, and enjoy a carefree time together. This year, my big day happened to be on a Tuesday, with the “lunchbox festival” organized by the Downtown Alliance taking place. We knew we wanted to spend the day downtown, so we started with coffee and a croissant at the Tin Building. We had some incredible hand-rolled sushi lunch and a Thai dish at the food festival, followed by some flower shopping and enjoying the afternoon sun at the seaport.
Then we got ready for our “barhopping,” which ended up less varied and spectacular than initially planned but all the while 100% fabulous!
Our much-anticipated dinner at the Fulton Fish & Co. was as delicious as it was pretty, and I could not have been happier with how the day had turned out. There are so many lovely messages from friends and family. Thank you! With Oliver close by my side, life is good, as the photos show. Take a stroll with me, and have a fantastic day yourself. Enjoy!
(Photos: Elke Nominikat and Oliver Bouchard)