Glass Spells at The Paramount (+ Interview)
Glass Spells is a synth-pop band consisting of, Tania Costello (Vocals) and Anthony Ramirez (Bass/Synthesizers) based out of San Diego California. The SoCal group was first brought to my attention by my partner who came across a video on Tik Tok of a song she thought I’d really enjoy. Usually, my partner doesn’t recommend music to me so I thought I’d check them out. Aaaand… she was right. Glass Spells sound was right up my alley
Their sound was very reminiscent of some of my favorite dark/new wave, alt-rock, and synth bands I grew up on. Not long after that, I saw through their socials, they would be playing a local show so, we decided to check them out. Needless to say, we’ve been fans ever since.
I’ve been fortunate enough to be able to attend and photograph a few Glass Spells shows in LA and San Diego and before 2022 came to an end I was able to squeeze in one more show. On December 23rd Glass Spells performed at The Paramount in Los Angeles.
Tania and Anthony always draw quite a crowd. They have quite a dedicated fan base and it’s not hard to see why. Tania, Anthony along with drummer Michael Buehl have an incredible stage presence and energy that always has the fans dancing and singing along, and by the end of the set, it never fails that they have the crowd chanting in English and Spanish for “One more song! (Otra!)”
Tania and Anthony were gracious enough to answer a few questions for Not Just a Girl to give a little insight on how they came up with their name, some of their favorite music, touring, and time spent during the lockdown.
For the readers can you please give your names and where you are from?
Tania: Hi I’m Tania I am from San Diego, CA
Anthony: Hello, I’m Anthony I am from San Diego, CA. I moved to San Diego in the summer of 2014. I grew up in Calexico, CA.
How did the two of you meet?
Tania: We met through Anthony’s wife, Andria who is a very good friend of mine.
When did you first start getting into music and when did you realize that it was something you wanted to pursue?
Tania: I got into music at a very young age, I used to sing in my room and dance around since I can remember. I got my first “singing role” at age 10 at an elementary school play. Once I got my first taste of the stage, I instantly became passionate about performing and haven’t really stopped ever since.
Anthony: I first started in music at the end of my senior year in high school. I didn’t know much about playing an instrument but a friend of mine at the time randomly asked me if I wanted to buy his bass guitar. I asked my dad and he agreed. At the time I just wanted to learn my favorite songs on bass and started playing cover songs with friends. I was in a few bands after that before forming Glass Spells.
When did you start making music together?
Tania: We started making music together at the beginning of 2019.
Anthony: We started working together in 2019 and played our first show Feb 2019. I asked our drummer Michael to join us for the live shows.
How did you come up with the name Glass Spells ?(significance/meaning)
Anthony: I was trying to come up with a band name. I had a notebook of ideas written with words. I remember listening to Blondie at the time and watching the show American Horror Story. I wrote the word Glass on the notebook and the witchy spooky show inspired the word Spells. I like how it sounded and the combination. I feel like it also matched the musical ideas.
Who are some musicians/bands that influenced you growing up? More recent music influences?
Tania: Davey Havok from AFI, and Florence + The Machine were a huge influence, as well as Hailey Williams from Paramore and Cara Faye from Shiny Toy Guns growing up. Now my influences are all over the place, from 80s artists such as Cindy Lauper, The Cure, and Depeche Mode, to Chvrches, and Robyn. I don’t really stick to one artist when it comes to influences.
Anthony: Some bands that influenced me growing up are The Germs, Siouxsie and the Banshees, Bauhaus. The No Wave scene Liars, Suicide. Most recent music influences 80s Madonna, New Order.
Favorite Album(s)/Song(s) of all time? What are you currently listening to?
Tania: There is way too many favorites on my list, but my top favorite albums of all time are: Sing The Sorrow By AFI and Ceremonials by Florence + The Machine, Innerbloom By Rüfüs Du Sol and The Bones of What You Believe by Chvrches.
I’ve recently been on a huge kick for music in Spanish from the 80s- early 2000s like Caifanes, Soda Estereo, Shakira’s old Album “Donde Estan Los Ladrones” and Jeanette.
More recent artists I have been listening to are Marnie (Ladytron’s lead singer’s solo project), TR/ST, Twin Tribes, The Marias, and Rüfüs Du Sol. My music taste is really all over the place haha.
Anthony: I have a few favorite albums I would say New Order “Power Corruption and Lies” Siouxsie and the Banshees “Juju”, The Rapture “Echoes” Currently been listening to Molchat Doma, David Bowie, Stacey Q, Chromatics, Cold Cave.
Did you record “Shattered” during the pandemic? If Yes, How was it having to write new music during that time, and do you feel it impacted your creative process?
Tania: We have always worked by sending each other files back and forth and working on our respective parts individually and then giving and receiving feedback, so it didn’t really make it too much different. If anything, I think the pandemic allowed me to express myself more in this album because like a lot of people, I was going through so many emotions, and it provided an outlet for me to release a lot of emotions. Having to record myself at home, gave me the time and encouragement to experiment with different vocal tones all throughout the album.
Anthony: Yes, during the pandemic I feel like I had a lot of time to sit down and focus on creating synth sounds, moving and tweaking the instrumentals. It takes a lot of time to just get one sound for what I think sounds right in my head. I was able to work at a good pace, each day focusing on a new sound or something new I wanted to add to each song. We were able to work well together sending each other ideas via email and texts. Giving each other feedback. Sometimes just going on a walk late at night or a drive during the pandemic sparked an idea for a new song. Sometimes I would just be in my living room and I would think of something and instantly go to a synth and write the bass or melody and record it to turn into a potential new idea.
Other than music, how did you distract yourself during lockdown? Any new hobbies?
Tania: Other than music? I played a lot of Animal Crossing, I am not much of a video game person on the regular, but Animal Crossing is just such a chill game that I just played it on my spare time.
Anthony: I was able to start skateboarding again. I would go outside and try to go somewhere isolated and skateboard or just ride the board at night.
What was it like for each of you, your first show back from the pandemic?
Tania: Our first show back was in Las Vegas. I did not really know what to expect. I was a little nervous, but so ready to get back at it. We ended up playing in a packed room and the energy in the crowd was amazing! It was invigorating and very heartwarming feeling. Performing is such a huge part of who I am, that I truly embrace and try to soak in every moment while I’m up there.
Antony: It was great, I was a bit nervous because of covid with a room full of people. But as soon as we started playing I forgot all about it. It was great energy and a lot of fun.
You two have played a few shows recently. From – LA, SD, SF a few stops in TX including SXSW. What was it like getting to preform there?
Tania: It was awesome! We never really know what to expect when we play in a new place, but everyone has been really great to us. The fans in Texas have definitely stolen my heart.
Anthony: All the shows have been great so far. It was our first time playing Texas and we did not know how they would go. The crowd was awesome. It was also cool to see new cities.
Since you’ve been out on the road a bit. Do you have an embarrassing or memorable moment you would like to share?
Tania: There was a really sweet moment on our Southwest Mini Tour, I had a fan in Texas that came up to me and asked if this was my first time in the state, and I said yes, so he took a Texas pin he had on his jacket, handed it to me and said “Welcome To Texas!”. It was a small, but very sweet gesture and so welcoming! I proceeded to wear the pin for the rest of the mini tour.
Anthony: Everyone in Texas seemed really friendly!
Thank you Anthony and Tania for taking a few minutes to answer some questions for us. Cant wait to see what comes next for Glass Spells in 2023.
Be sure to give Glass Spells a follow on social media for any updates on upcoming shows and news and give their latest album Shattered a listen on your favorite streaming service.
Here are a few Images of Glass Spells performing at The Paramount in Los Angeles for the Nightmare Before Xmas Eve show.
