Who is Glasshealer?

By Shane Willenborg
Music Journalist

Up-and-coming art rock group Glasshealer is making their debut this month with the release of their first single “Empty Bottles.” The group is comprised of Jared Marxuah, Hayden Steckel, Ernesto Grey and James Owens. The Austin based group is just starting their explosion onto the DIY music scene in central Texas. Having played dozens of house shows and frequenting venues like Swan Dive in Austin, the band is ready to start releasing its music to the masses this October. 

Glasshealer describes their sound as art rock, or noisy electronic rock, and this absolutely shines through their performances. While listening to Glasshealer, it’s hard to tell that this band is self-produced; the clean sound and complex mixing are on the level of seasoned veterans of the music industry. The band makes their presence known with powerful and explorative instrumentation, as well as emotion fueled and bombastic vocals. 

During shows, Glasshealer isn’t afraid of showing off their wide sound and flexibility, opting for several tables of synthesizers and computer interfaces to achieve their rich sound. Each person’s role in this band is left intentionally vague as well, with members often swapping instruments and microphones to create a more dynamic and personalized sound. While Steckel does the majority of singing for the band, each member has a part to play in the vocals and creation of the music, bringing forward their own ideas. 

“One of us always shows up with the majority of a song worked out,” Marxuah said in an interview. “Then we just add our own flavor to it.” 

This approach results in a rich and complex wall of sound which has become this band’s signature. The band’s debut single “Empty Bottles” is a prime example of this tennet. “Empty Bottles” features aggressive, driving guitars and drums paired with brass instruments and untamable vocals. 

Glasshealer is an exciting new Austin band that takes their music seriously. By blending DIY elements with high production post-punk and art rock influences, this band is sure to make a name for itself in the music scene of central Texas. 

After the release of “Empty Bottles,” the band has plans for a music video as well as an EP by the beginning of 2020, making them a must-watch band in the coming year. 

You can follow the band on Twitter and on SoundCloud for more updates.

Featured image by Shane Willenborg.