From time to time, one of our contributors will recommend an artist/band they think deserves to be brought to your attention. No record labels, PR companies, bands or band’s management will ever have made these recommendations. It is simply one music fan putting their taste on the line in the hope of sharing good music. The questions are intended to give just a basic introduction to possibly your new favourite artist/band.
So without further ado, let’s crack on with another introduction, in which Silent Radio’s Parisa Esalat recommends Glass Tides for your audible delectation.
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Glass Tides
Who are ya?
Glass Tides are Sam Jenkins (lead vocals and guitar) Mark Khan (vocals and bass), Ben Meade (vocals and drums) and Tanah Stevens (vocals, keys and violin).
Where are you from?
All over the place but we’re based in Manchester.
How long have you been doing what you’re doing now?
We’ve all been knocking about on the scene for years (some of us, longer than we care to remember) but this current incarnation is pretty new. We released our début EP at christmas.
Is being a musician your full time job?
Um… shit, yeah it is! How did that happen?
Are there any obvious influences in your music?
People tend to recognise Jeff Buckley in a lot of our songs, some Tracey Chapman and Damien Rice in the softer songs and some thrice in the heavier bits.
Are there any not so obvious influences in your music?
Yeah, lots! I’m (Sam) heavily influenced by Bruce Springsteen and Prince but no one really sees it. We’re not a heavy band but Mark and Ben are into a lot of heavier music. We’re not a soft band either but Tanah and myself love a bit of folk. We all bring our myriad influences to the pot and what comes out is the delightful mess you have on the EP.
Any musical Guilty Pleasures? Come on you can share, we’re all friends here!
Nah man, I’m out and proud with my shitty music tastes. Mark likes a bit of Deaf Leappard but why not? Pour some Sugar on me: Tune!
Apart from yourself of course, what other band/artist would you recommend our readers check out?
John Ainsworth (Insanely good musician) Jon Kensie, JP Cooper, The Hyena Kill (If you like a bit of filth) Hugo Kensdale, Jonny Sly. There are so many. Get yourself down to your local open mic in Manchester and you’re pretty much guaranteed to see someone good most nights of the week.
Tell us about the defining moment when you thought ‘Fuck, yes I want to be a musician!’
I remember thinking it would make me super cool and I’d get loads of girls but I quickly discovered, girls don’t like musicians, they like DJs.
My grandma bought this electric guitar for me, off my Uncle for like £50. It was a silver Marlin Sidewinder with a Floyd Rose bridge and tremolo bar. Far too advanced for me but I remember seeing it at my Uncles house in the guitar stand and thinking it was fucking Excalibur or something.
Does what go on, on tour, stay on tour?
Yes but only because we are all so un-rock n roll that it’s slightly embarrassing
What’s your most favourite gig (as a gig goer)?
Deaf institute is always good, great ambience in that place.
Who, in your wildest dreams would you like to collaborate with/be produced by?
I would love to collaborate with the Boss or Neil Young or get some sweet, sweet harms on the go with CSN back in the day.
I imagine that the reality would not live up to the dream though. What could you possibly contribute to a song that they hadn’t already thought of and discarded half an hour before you even thought of it?
Best place for people to find out what you are up to?
Just google us man, there’s all the standard social networking sites and our website: glasstides.com has tour dates
Anything to declare?
I would say ‘I have nothing to declare except my genius’ but I have to plug the EP, available on iTunes, Amazon, Spotify and loads more as well as a limited number of physicals available from us. Also check out the video for our first single ‘All That I Know’ on Youtube.
