Alice Glass

Canadian singer and songwriter

  • Electronic
  • electropunk[1]
Occupation(s)
  • Singer
  • songwriter
Years active2002–presentLabels
  • Loma Vista
  • Eating Glass
Formerly ofCrystal CastlesWebsitealice-glass.com
Musical artist

Margaret Osborn (born 25 August 1988), known professionally as Alice Glass, is a Canadian singer and songwriter. She is the co-founder and former frontwoman of the electronic band Crystal Castles.[2] In 2014, she embarked on a solo career.[3] She released her eponymous debut EP in 2017. Her solo debut album, Prey//IV, was released in February 2022.

Life and career

1988–2014: Early life and Crystal Castles

Alice Glass was born Margaret Osborn on 25 August 1988 in Toronto, Ontario.[4] She was raised Catholic, attending parochial school up until junior high.[5] At age 15, she ran away from home to live in a squat community of punks under the name Vicki Vale (after the comic book character) and started an all-girl experimental punk band called Fetus Fatale.[6] In December 2003, she and Ethan Kath began working together on the project that would become Crystal Castles.[7] She picked the stage name Alice Glass based on a pin with the name Alice that she shoplifted and Hopey Glass, a character in Love and Rockets.[8]

Glass performing in 2008

Crystal Castles' first official release was their 2006 single "Alice Practice".[9] The song got the band their first record deal with Merok Records in London.[7] The same year, Crystal Castles played their first live show at Clinton's Tavern in Toronto.[10] "Alice Practice" was eventually featured on their eponymous debut album released in 2008. Glass topped NME's Cool List that year and responded to it by criticizing the idea of the cool list itself.[11] The duo followed their debut album with two more critically acclaimed albums, II (2010) and III (2012), completing a trilogy. Glass co-wrote every Crystal Castles song she contributed vocals to.[12] In October 2014, Glass announced her departure from Crystal Castles due to her own professional and personal reasons. In the announcement, she noted that working within the band compromised her efforts towards "sincerity, honesty, and empathy for others".[13] She later had a number of public disagreements with her former bandmate, including accusing him of assault and sexual misconduct.[14]

2015–2017: Alice Glass and lawsuit

In July 2015, Glass released her debut single as a solo artist, "Stillbirth".[15] The release was largely an effort to increase awareness of domestic and sexual abuse. Glass worked with anti-sexual assault organization RAINN to donate all proceeds from the song's revenue to aid abuse victims.[16]

In August 2017, Glass released "Without Love", which served as the lead single to her eponymous debut EP which was released the following week. She headed on tour with Marilyn Manson following the release of the EP.[17]

In October 2017, Glass posted a statement on her official website explaining her departure from Crystal Castles, accusing co-founder Ethan Kath of sexual, physical, and mental abuse. The accusations detail the abuse starting when Glass was 15 and began recording with Kath and escalated until her eventual departure from Crystal Castles.[18] Kath responded the same day in a statement issued to Pitchfork through his attorney, where he called the accusations "pure fiction" and said he was consulting with his lawyers as to his legal options.[19] The following month, Kath sued Glass for defamation, but was dismissed in February 2018.[20] In May, Glass was awarded nearly US$21,000 in attorney fees after Kath's lawyers sought to vacate the dismissal of his defamation lawsuit against Glass.[21]

2018–2020: Non-album single releases

In January 2018, Glass released "Forgiveness" as the second single from her EP. She also released that month a brand new single called "Cease and Desist", which she said "is a call to arms for all survivors." Both singles were accompanied by music videos.[22]

In April 2018, Glass embarked on her SnowBlood Tour alongside American singer Zola Jesus, with electronic musician Pictureplane being an opening act on select dates. The tour is named after Lady Snowblood, spurned star of the eponymous 1973 Japanese film. Later that month, Glass released a remix EP, consisting of remixes of songs from her eponymous EP released in 2017. The EP includes remixes from both Zola Jesus and Pictureplane.[23]

In June 2018, Glass released a new single, "Mine", accompanied by a music video directed by Lucas David and starring American drag queen Violet Chachki.[24] In December, Glass was featured on Adult Swim's singles series with a new song titled "I Trusted You".[25]

Alice Glass live at Rock am Ring 2019

In 2020, Glass revealed that she received little royalties from her work in Crystal Castles. She disavowed her tenure in the band and asked fans to cease their support of the group.[26]

2021–present: Prey//IV

Glass released the single "Suffer and Swallow" on 6 January 2021, which was the first song she shared from her long-awaited solo debut album which she said was to be released later that year. The song was accompanied by a stop-motion music video by Lucas David.[27] She had a guest appearance on Alice Longyu Gao's single "Legend" which was released on 27 May 2021.[28]

On 19 November 2021, Glass unveiled the title and shared the track listing of her solo debut album Prey//IV and announced a release date of 28 January 2022 by her own Eating Glass Records. The announcement was accompanied the single "Baby Teeth", which had by a music video by Astra Zero and Lucas David.[29]

On 8 December 2021, Glass premiered the single "Fair Game" accompanied by a music video directed by Bryan M. Ferguson[30]

On 28 January 2022, Glass released "Love Is Violence", after the album's release was delayed to February. The single was accompanied by a gory music video by Bryan M. Ferguson. The early 2000s-inspired video depicts two teenagers who sensually pull out each other's entrails.[31]

Upon the album's release on the 16 February 2022, Glass premiered a music video for "Everybody Else" directed by Astra Zero.[32]

On 21 September 2022, Glass released a new single, "Lips Apart".[33]

Solo discography

Studio albums

Title Album details
Prey//IV

Extended plays

Title Extended play details
Alice Glass
  • Released: 18 August 2017
  • Label: Loma Vista
  • Formats: LP, CD, digital download

Remix EPs

Title Extended play details
Alice Glass (Remixes)
  • Released: 27 April 2018
  • Label: Loma Vista
  • Formats: LP, digital download

Singles

Title Year Album
"Stillbirth" 2015 Non-album single
"Without Love" 2017 Alice Glass
"Forgiveness" 2018
"Cease and Desist" Non-album singles
"Mine"
"Suffer and Swallow" 2021 Prey//IV
"Baby Teeth"
"Fair Game"
"Love Is Violence" 2022
"Lips Apart"[36] Non-album single

Guest appearances

Title Year Other artist(s) Album
"Youth Problem"[37] 2018 Dreamcrusher Grudge2
"Dark Alley"[38] Lil Zubin, Wicca Phase Springs Eternal Heavy Down Pour
"I Trusted You" [39] — Adult Swim x Fever Dreams
"Eat Me Alive Interlude"[40] 2019 Nedarb Amity
"Sleep It Off" 2020 — The Turning (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
"Nightmares" Sermon 4 Anniversary
"Rajadão" (Remix) Pabllo Vittar 111 (Deluxe)
"Legend" 2021 Alice Longyu Gao Non-album single
"Iron Fist" (Remix) Dorian Electra, Faris Badwan My Agenda (Deluxe)
"Chastity" [41] 2023 Pussy Riot, Boys Noize Non-album single

Music videos

Year Title Director(s)
2017 "Without Love" Floria Sigismondi[42]
2018 "Forgiveness" Lindsey Nico Mann[43]
"Cease and Desist" Lindsey Nico Mann, Dan Streit[44]
"Mine" Lucas David[45]
"I Trusted You" Lindsey Nico Mann
2020 "Sleep It Off"
"Nightmares" Lucas David
2021 "Suffer and Swallow"
"Legend" Olivia Aquilina
"Baby Teeth" Astra Zero and Lucas David
"Fair Game" Bryan M. Ferguson
2022 "Love Is Violence"
"Everybody Else" Astra Zero

References

  1. ^ Mckenzie, Lesley (2 August 2016). "alice glass on feminism, fashion and music industry creeps". i-D. Retrieved 24 August 2017.
  2. ^ Mcnett, Jared (8 October 2014). "Five songs to listen to now that Crystal Castles appear to be done". Vox.
  3. ^ Brandes, Bertie (17 February 2015). "Crystal Castles' Leading Lady Alice Glass is Embracing Her Own Darkness". Vice. Archived from the original on 28 November 2015. Retrieved 29 April 2015.
  4. ^ * Nelson, Michael (17 April 2015). "Is This Crystal Castles' New Singer?". Stereogum. Retrieved 17 April 2015.
    • [1]
    • "Alice Glass". AskMen. Archived from the original on 23 September 2015. Retrieved 13 September 2015.
  5. ^ Dombal, Ryan (8 November 2012). "Interviews: Crystal Castles". Pitchfork. Retrieved 10 November 2015.
  6. ^ Gillen, Kieron. "Crystal Castles Interview". Plan B. Archived from the original on 3 January 2008. Retrieved 11 June 2010.
  7. ^ a b "The Roots Of... Crystal Castles". NME. 14 March 2013. Retrieved 17 April 2017.
  8. ^ Mckenzie, Lesley (18 July 2016). "Alice Glass - Eighty-Nine". Agolde. Retrieved 15 June 2018.
  9. ^ SoftandFading (9 April 2015), Crystal Castles interview MTV Backstage Pass (Full) c. 2008, archived from the original on 21 December 2021, retrieved 17 April 2017
  10. ^ "When and where was Crystal Castles first live performance?". crystalcastles.com. Archived from the original on 18 April 2017. Retrieved 17 April 2017.
  11. ^ "Crystal Castles' Alice Glass reacts to topping 2008 Cool List". NME. 4 November 2008. Retrieved 21 August 2011.
  12. ^ Dominic Amphetamine (19 November 2016), Crystal Castles Interview Headlining NME Tour Alice Glass Ethan Kath, retrieved 17 April 2017[dead YouTube link]
  13. ^ "Crystal Castles announce their split on Twitter". Dazed. 8 October 2014. Retrieved 10 November 2015.
  14. ^ "Alice Glass Responds To Ethan Kath's "Manipulative" Statements About Crystal Castles". Stereogum. 17 April 2015. Retrieved 10 November 2015.
  15. ^ "STILLBIRTH - Single by Alice Glass on Apple Music". iTunes. 15 July 2015. Retrieved 10 August 2017.
  16. ^ "Alice Glass releases first solo single, opens up about "abusive relationship"". Fact. 17 July 2015. Retrieved 10 September 2020.
  17. ^ Maine, Samantha (10 August 2017). "Alice Glass shares video for 'Without Love', announces tour with Marilyn Manson". NME. Retrieved 10 September 2020.
  18. ^ "Alice Glass Statement". Alice Glass. Retrieved 9 August 2023.
  19. ^ Strauss, Matthew (24 October 2017). "Alice Glass Accuses Crystal Castles Co-Founder Ethan Kath of Rape and Assault; Kath Responds". Pitchfork. Retrieved 24 October 2017.
  20. ^
    • Rettig, James (3 November 2017). "Crystal Castles' Ethan Kath Sues Alice Glass For Defamation". Stereogum. Retrieved 3 November 2017.
    • Strauss, Matthew; Minsker, Evan (23 February 2018). "Alice Glass Triumphs in Ethan Kath's Defamation Suit". Pitchfork. Retrieved 23 February 2018.
  21. ^ Hodan, Marc (17 May 2018). "Alice Glass Awarded Nearly $21,000 in Attorney Fees After Ethan Kath Lawsuit Dismissed". Pitchfork. Retrieved 15 June 2018.
  22. ^ Strauss, Matthew (23 January 2018). "Alice Glass' New Song Is a "Call to Arms for Survivors"". Pitchfork. Retrieved 15 June 2018.
  23. ^ "Alice Glass to release new remix EP on Friday (April 27), kicks off tour this week". Tiny Mix Tapes. 23 April 2018. Retrieved 9 May 2018.
  24. ^ "Hear Alice Glass' Brittle, Soaring New Song "Mine"". Revolver. 15 June 2018. Retrieved 15 June 2018.
  25. ^ "Listen to Alice Glass' brooding new single 'I Trusted You'". NME. 21 December 2018. Retrieved 3 January 2019.
  26. ^ Richards, Will (15 October 2020). "Alice Glass says she is being "gutted" over Crystal Castles royalty payments". NME. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
  27. ^ Reilly, Nick (6 January 2021). "Alice Glass shares stop-motion video for new track 'Suffer and Swallow'". NME. Retrieved 19 November 2021.
  28. ^ Helman, Peter (27 May 2021). "Alice Longyu Gao – "Legend" (Feat. Alice Glass)". Stereogum. Retrieved 19 November 2021.
  29. ^ Hussey, Allison (19 November 2021). "Alice Glass Details Debut Album, Shares Video for New Song "Baby Teeth": Watch". Pitchfork. Retrieved 19 November 2021.
  30. ^ Zemler, Emily (8 December 2021). "Alice Glass Breaks Her Chains in 'Fair Game' Music Video". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 8 December 2021.
  31. ^ "Alice Glass Serves Teen Goth Gore in 'Love Is Violence' Video". Rolling Stone. 28 January 2022. Retrieved 28 January 2022.
  32. ^ "Alice Glass drops debut full-length 'PREY//IV' with "Everybody Else" video". Alternative Press Magazine. 16 February 2022. Retrieved 16 February 2022.
  33. ^ Robinson, Ellie (22 September 2022). "Alice Glass shuts herself out on melancholic new single 'Lips Apart'". NME. Retrieved 20 November 2022.
  34. ^ "LOVE IS VIOLENCE// song and video JANUARY 28th 🖤 🖤PREY//IV FEBRUARY 16th🖤 available to preorder on iTunes now". 14 January 2022. Retrieved 27 January 2022 – via Instagram.
  35. ^ "Alice Glass". Dark Medicine. Retrieved 20 November 2022.
  36. ^ Lips Apart, 21 September 2022, retrieved 20 November 2022
  37. ^ "Grudge2 - EP by Dreamcrusher on Apple Music". Apple Music. 14 November 2018. Retrieved 20 November 2018.
  38. ^ "Heavy Down Pour - EP by Lil Zubin on Apple Music". Apple Music. 16 November 2018. Retrieved 20 November 2018.
  39. ^ "Hear Alice Glass's new song "I Trusted You"". The Fader. Retrieved 14 December 2018.
  40. ^ "Amity by Nedarb on Apple Music". Apple Music. January 2019. Retrieved 3 January 2019.
  41. ^ "Chastity (feat. Alice Glass) - Single by Pussy Riot & Boys Noize on Apple Music". Apple Music. May 2023. Retrieved 5 May 2023.
  42. ^ "Alice Glass - Without Love (Official Video)". YouTube. 10 August 2017. Archived from the original on 21 December 2021. Retrieved 24 January 2018.
  43. ^ "Alice Glass - Forgiveness (Official Video)". YouTube. 11 January 2018. Archived from the original on 21 December 2021. Retrieved 24 January 2018.
  44. ^ "Alice Glass - Cease and Desist (Official Video)". YouTube. 23 January 2018. Archived from the original on 21 December 2021. Retrieved 24 January 2018.
  45. ^ "Alice Glass - Mine (Music Video)". YouTube. 15 June 2018. Archived from the original on 21 December 2021. Retrieved 15 June 2018.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Alice Glass.
  • Interview with the Independent newspaper
  • v
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Alice Glass
Studio albumsExtended plays
  • Alice Glass
Singles
  • "Stillbirth"
  • "Without Love"
  • "Forgiveness"
  • "Cease and Desist"
  • "Mine"
Related
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  • e
Studio albums
Extended plays
Singles
Related
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