the ontario based, experimental low-res/electro-band crystal castles (named after she-ra, princess of power’s fortress in the sky) began in 2003 as a solo project by ethan kath (producer). later, finally finding his “missing link” he connected with alice glass (vocals).

the duo soon recorded two tracks now known as the "2004 guitar demos."  they were unhappy with the product and didn’t see each other again until 2005 when alice placed vocals over 60 new songs ethan recorded.  those recordings (which alice believed were microphone tests rather than recordings) became their first single.

they posted additional singles to myspace, and in 2008, the tracks were collected into one album, resulting in their first self-titled lp.  that debut album ranked number 39 in nme’s "top 50 greatest albums of the decade."

the band has also recorded remixes for bloc party and klaxons.

alice is becoming well know for her on-stage antics, at the 2008 glastonbury festival her stage climbing and diving led to the organizers to cut their set short, during a recent l.a. gig she destroyed the drum kit.

crystal castles have been described as "the kind of music that you just want to follow like a cult, or hate, with every fiber of your being."

their second self-titled lp, crystal castles was produced in a church in iceland, a cabin in northern ontario a garage behind an abandoned convenience store in detroit, and in paul "phones" epworth’s london studio.  the album released june 8, 2010.

click here for a couple of videos.  click here to download a few songs.  don't forget, the album cover image always links to sample songs and the band's image to their website.

check here to see if crystal castles have any gigs scheduled near you.

as always, please buy this album from your local independent music store by people who know and love music and not from retailers like wal-mart (soulless, globally-homogenizing, community-killers) or i-tunes (albums should be listened to as an entire composition with album cover and liner notes in hand).  incidentally, these two companies sell more music than any other retailer in the united states.  that my friend, bites.

crystal castles sparkle.

if you agree, please spread the word (about the band and this site).

jason

don't worry if you missed the delta spirit profile from last week: here it is.

lies/last gang


lies/last gang