The Glory Sea
Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand | SELF
Music
Press
Rumours of Light is Glory Sea's debut EP and it's a well crafted affair indeed. Front-man Joel Greatbatch delivers his heart-felt songs with a chord of fragility and humanity that defies the usual cock-sure swagger of indie-rock bands and speaks in honest volumes. Turning up the genuine dial to notch eleven with these five tracks which manage, at their most special moments, to bridge the divide between epic and humble – Andrew Tidball, Cheese on Toast - Cheese on Toast music site [ says review page no longer exists :( ]
The Glory Sea deliver strong pop-rock songs with more than an endearing ounce of modesty and romance and dare I say, innocence. Let's be honest, the best songs are love songs. I know it's uncool to admit that, so I know you'll be reading this thinking I'm a sad git who's missing his girlfriend too much - and perhaps that's true.
But The Glory Sea unashamedly play love songs. Songs that teenage girls might sing along to in the mirror with the hairbrush microphone, imagining that Joel's voice is actually that of their latest unobtainable object of desire.
These same girls, in between swooning, like to dance as well.
The Glory Sea oblige with songs you can sing and dance to.
Expect big things from this up and coming young band - take it from an overgrown teenage girl.
- Cheese on Toast Andrew Tidball blogspot
This very professional looking sophomore EP ranges from upbeat indie rock to mellow acoustic. The four-piece from Auckland use an array of instruments throughout the seven tracks, including mandolin and something flute-sounding, which was quite surprising from a band of this genre. The drums and guitar form distinctive melodies and the overall sound of this EP is cohesive and relaxed, yet steering well clear of dull. It is self-produced and recorded in various bedrooms and lounges, with mastering done at The Rock Factory. Changing speeds between chorus and verse makes My Own Soul a really interesting listen and the best song here, but this EP presents a band well on their way to finding a strong pop rock sound of their own. - NZ Musician Magazine
Discography
Rumours of Light EP 2008
My Own Soul EP 2010
When We're Apart single 2011
Photos
Bio
Having played roughly 5 to 6 years together, The Glory Sea has consisted of vocalist, guitarist and songwriter Joel Greatbatch; Lead guitarist and multi instrumentalist Andy Speir; Bassist Ben Cullen and the recent addition of Rob McStay on the drums. After years of honing their craft over many gigs, Parachute Festivals and shows in Australia, TGS have refined themselves down to what works and what doesn't and now starting to record and are perform their best work yet.
Audio wise, they make music that can be loud and confronting, soft and soothing or something simply to get your dance on to. They are essentially the whole package sonically and with a great live show to boot. Their gigs have been known to involve a sweaty communion with it's crowd, and one not afraid to invade the stage during a finale, especially back on the domed White Elephant Stage (Security haven't been as keen to let the masses run amok on the Deluxe Stage).
The threads that tie together their work together over the years are an appreciation for the diversity and grandiose of The Smashing Pumpkins, the emotion and on stage devotion of the Arcade Fire, Switchfoot's dissatisfaction with the human condition, and the lyrical influences of Alfred Tennyson and the other great Victorian poets.
After a hiatus this year with previous drummer Catherine Wild leaving for the UK, and the other members dabbling in various side projects (Joel in Mali Mali, Andy with Luke Parker, Ben playing with Avalanche City on occasion) The Glory Sea are now back on track with new tunes, new recordings and a new talented young drummer. All with a renewed desire to make great music that does more than just entertain, but points to the most important things in life: God, salvation, love, truth, beauty and what it means to be alive.
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