Welsh alt-pop girl gang HOURGLVSS share their new feel good single ‘Calling’
Welsh alt-pop girl gang HOURGLVSS share new single ‘Calling’
Listen / share:
https://on.soundcloud.com/E6hFb
FFO: Self Esteem, The Cranberries, Cocteau Twins
Press image by Jamie dreiling
“An undisputed pop banger” Huw Stephens, BBC 6 Music
“The best from every era - a hybrid of All Saints and the Cocteau Twins.”
Adam Walton, BBC Radio Wales
"Absolutely stunning stuff"
Bethan Elfyn
Also supported by:
Jack Saunders BBC R 1, Lauren Laverne BBC R 6, BBC R 1 Introducing, The Sun, Love Island, Made In Chelsea
LISTEN / SHARE:
https://on.soundcloud.com/E6hFb
DIGITAL SERVICES: https://bfan.link/calling-3
North Wales alt-pop quartet HOURGLVSS, made up of best friends Katie Benbow (vocals / keyboard), Sophie May Williams (vocals / keyboard), Rosie Hamilton (guitar) and Lauren James (drums) are the newest infectious girl gang you will want to be a part of. Today they share their infectious new single 'Calling'.
Operating out of Benbow’s ‘Vintage Hearts’ clothing warehouse; complete with pink floors, a giant lipstick, alien mannequins, and heaps of vintage garments, these four women have created a safe space for their own unique HOURGLVSS universe. Here, they create fantasy pop anthems that draw influence from the likes of Wendy and Lisa, Self Esteem, Confidence Man and Depeche Mode, glittery DIY music videos and their own repurposed, sustainable merch all celebrating friendship, female love, queerness and healing.
HOURGLVSS was first formed back when Sophie became a customer of Katie’s vintage clothing website. The pair instantly hit it off and found they had almost everything in common. After attending a Tame Impala gig, the pair began playing music together, covering songs at Katie’s house. It was there that they discovered they had something special.
Soon after, Rosie and Lauren joined the band, and the sisterhood was locked in. “It’s a girl gang, people come up to us after our gigs and want to be our friends, we are building a community for everyone.”
The strong female bonds HOURGLVSS have created has meant they can finally be completely free in their songwriting and production “In the past, I had felt guarded in music, and reluctant to put ideas forward. Now it’s a comforting environment to share our ideas, and not feel stupid. Even if we have an idea and it is shit, we tell each other, but it never feels like an attack” adds Sophie.
Not only can they be free in their music but also in their artistic direction, with fashion playing a huge part in the collective. “All our outfits and videos are customised and styled by Vintage Hearts, with Nadia Lee inspired looks' says Katie. HOURGLVSS’ passion for all things vintage and sustainability translates to their merch which they create from repurposed items; designing hand painted tote bags and patchwork fabric style sweatshirts.
As the project offers somewhere for vulnerability and open discussion, HOURGLVSS often reflect on their own narratives and how they navigate mental health battles within their music.
“The themes of our songs began to naturally change since being together, it became easier to speak about what was going on in our brains and our lives as women at this current time.”
“These songs are about our friends, our girlfriends, our mental health. At practice we always ask each other how we are doing, and we talk, it’s like a coffee morning” adds Katie.
New single ‘Calling’ was written when Katie was going through a bad time. The opening line belts ‘The clothes on the floor they really are piling, she keeps adding more’. Recalling the time she sat looking at the pile of clothes on her floor during a period of depression, she remembers the rest of her bandmates calling her up to check she was okay.
“Before HOURGLVSS, I never had a group of solid girlfriends. This is a love letter to all the girls in the band and to all girls and their friends. I had never found a community where I felt I fit in and where you all care about each other, where you can tell something is up with someone and want to check in.”
‘Calling’ is an uplifting slice of alt-pop that takes its cues from the likes of The Cranberries and Cocteau Twins. It’s not only a celebration of friendship and community but also a solidarity anthem for anyone who is feeling overwhelmed, that life is getting on top of them - that they are literally drowning in a pile of clothes.
“This is a statement to say, we have been there, and you’re loved.”
HOURGLVSS LIVE
13.04 Liverpool, Jimmys (supporting Nimmo)
14.04 Leeds, Headrow House (supporting Nimmo)
28.04 Liverpool, Liverpool Sound City, BBC Introducing stage
05.05 Wrexham, Focus Wales Festival, Wynnstay Hotel (07:20 PM)
16.06 Isle of White Festival
