Following a wave of impressive singles over the last few months, including 'London Is Concrete' and 'Never Really Left', London-based trio Glass Peaks have now finally unveiled their highly-anticipated new EP 'It's Raining On The Wrong Side of The Window'.
With their notable comparisons to the likes of Radiohead and Arcade Fire, the band's latest seven-track collection shows off their broad and captivating sound with an array of diverse and distinct new offerings.
So with their new release finally in our hands, we decided to sit down with the three-piece to find out more about their earliest beginnings and what brought them to this point in their careers.
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What were the first instruments you fell in love with?
Grant (Drums) - The drums. I was never interested in any instrument, until I got behind those cans and I was hooked.
Alf (Vocals) - Definitely the guitar. I played the piano and had lessons for a long time as a child but picking up the guitar just flicked a different switch entirely and I never looked back.
Jake (Guitar) - I remember buying a Jimi Hendrix album with my pocket money when I was about nine years old on a trip to the seaside. It's fair to say that long journey home was the moment I totally fell in love with effects pedals and guitars.
What has been the most prominent inspiration behind your music so far?
Grant - I don't think any one thing is an influence. We all take influence from a lot of different sources and they all combine in the crock pot of the band.
Jake - Musically I think we're pretty influenced by the 80s and 90s. Society and politics also plays a huge part in the subject matter of a lot of our songs.
Alf - Yeah, collectively we have some really similar tastes and then some which are totally different, so it's nice to bring them all together. Musically, I think we all draw inspiration from bands like Radiohead and Foals, but it changes as we continue to write and create.
What kind of music did you love as teenagers?
Grant - Bloc Party were my first band into music. But I also listened to a lot of grunge and mostly indie stuff of the mid 2000s.
Alf - I've always had a very broad musical palette, as a teenager I listened to a lot of emo / screamo music i.e My Chemical Romance, Funeral for a Friend, early Enter Shikari etc, but I was also listening to bands like The Strokes, Klaxons, New Young Pony Club as well as obvious classics like Radiohead, Oasis. There was definitely some rap/ hip hop thrown in there as well. I had quite a lot of friends who were into different things so I think that helped in forming my listening habits in my teenage years.
Jake - As a teen I was obsessed with Foals, White Lies, The Maccabees, The Smiths, The Drums, Radiohead and many more. My room was absolutely covered in band posters. You'd find all the above and many more like Arctic Monkeys, Biffy Clyro, Jimi Hendrix, The Beatles and hundreds of NME front covers.
Can you remember the first song that made you want to pursue a life in music?
Grant - The first song I listened to and thought it sounded like natural sound and not a song was Jeremy by Pearl Jam. That really dragged me into a greater appreciation for music.
Alf - 2+2=5 from Hail to the Thief by Radiohead. I'll never forget the moment I heard those guitars open up after the intro for the first time.
Jake - probably 'The Thrill Is Gone' by BB King, that's the moment I realised music could make you feel. The moment I could hear someone's pain through a record.
When you wake up in the morning, what kind of music do you like to listen to?
Grant - Anything. I slap on the playlist and let it fly.
Alf - I'm a terrible morning person but usually something like Beach House or Bon Iver.
Jake - Something soft like Ben Howard, Bon Iver or Matt Corby. I don't do mornings.
How many of your songs have you written about people in your life?
Alf - Quite a few. If I've ever written a song about someone in my life, it's usually been because something bad has happened, though. I've never written a heartfelt, nice song for a girlfriend or anything, mainly because it cringes me out, it always felt forced and clichéd. I actually had an ex once genuinely say to me 'you never write anything about me' which just made me feel a bit sick - so I always steer clear from that. I've written plenty of tunes off the back of relationship breakdowns, bad dates, bosses I've hated etc... they're always pretty bleak; I guess that's where my strongest writing is.
Jake - The songs I've been involved in lyric writing always usually end up becoming about someone or an event. I'm a super emotional person so from a single conversation with someone i could probably write an album out of it.
What have been the most memorable moments in your career so far?
Grant - Playing Isle of Wight festival was pretty amazing.
Alf - Isle of Wight was special for sure. We supported White Lies at a show once which was great even though they were horrible to us - a lesson in never meeting your heroes. There have been so many, to be honest, I have so many great memories of just knocking about in different cities with the guys and just creating memories. I love that part of being in a band - getting to do the thing you love the most in the world with your best mates.
Jake - Playing Isle Of Wight Festival, supporting White Lies, Maximo Park, The Amazon's. Getting a few Radio 1 plays, man there's been so many amazing moments. I remember being in Australia when we got the call to support White Lies and I cried like a baby.
Outside of music, what are your biggest passions?
Grant - I love football, but film is my other main passion.
Jake - I'm a barber and I absolutely love my job. I enjoy football even though it's bloody painful being a West Ham fan. I've always enjoyed playing and watching snooker and pool (ask the boys how many times they've lost haha). But I also really enjoy getting into a good film or series.
Alf - I always hate this question because music is genuinely the only thing I've ever wanted to do with my life or have had any major interest in. I like plenty of other things, football, cooking, running etc, but music is where it comes back to every time. I can't think of anything else I'd rather do.
If you weren’t musicians, what other path do you think you might have taken?
Grant - A screenwriter. I wanted to take a screenwriting course, but I was put off uni education by my school. And also my love of studying film at the time was rocked by my film teacher.
Alf - I don't know... maybe acting? I always enjoyed drama classes at school and whatnot. Either that or owning a pub, I reckon I'd be a great pub landlord.
Jake - I think I would have been a teacher for people with learning difficulties. I've worked a lot with individuals with disabilities and enjoy it. So yeah that or carry on barbering.
And what advice would you give to those looking to start a career in music?
Grant - Love and enjoy every minute of it. Some of my greatest memories have been with the boys on the road. I love playing and that's what makes it so special.
Alf - I'd second what Grant said. Enjoy and cherish every part of it. Also, I'd say you need a thick skin, be prepared for knock-backs, rejection, negative feedback and questioning whether it's all even worth it any more - there's A LOT of that. Rise above everything and keep pushing on to create if it's what you really want, because there's no greater feeling than when it all clicks. If you're not 110% ready to commit to it, then don't even bother starting.
Jake - Invest in good quality gear at the start, save money because you're going to need it, just do it for fun and if any opportunities are offered to you take them, but have fun. You may only play that certain gig once, you can always get another job. Don't be a slave to your boss.
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Glass Peaks' new EP 'It's Raining On The Wrong Side of The Window' is available to stream and download now. Have a listen to it in full in the player below.