Welsh alt-pop girl gang HOURGLVSS shares vibrant new 'Calling' video
Watch / share:
https://youtu.be/3h8Ml6pAdnQ
FFO: Self Esteem, The Cranberries, Cocteau Twins
Perfectly realised Pop Music you can escape to" Adam Walton, BBC Radio Wales
"This sounds pretty poptastic if you ask me" Huw Stephens, BBC Radio Wales
"Absolutely stunning stuff" Bethan Elfyn, BBC Radio Wales
"It gives you that feeling everything is gonna be alright" Rodeo Mag
"Wonderfully Sprawling, One of the more enchanting names on the rise" Mystic Sons
"Solidarity Anthem" When The Horn Blows
Also supported by:
Jack Saunders BBC R 1, Lauren Laverne BBC R 6, BBC R 1 Introducing, The Sun, Love Island, Made In Chelsea, She Makes Music
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 the vibrant new video for their recent infectious single 'Calling'.
The new video was filmed in HOURGLVSS' renowned rehearsal space, situated within Benbow's Vintage clothing warehouse. They used a green screen and a borrowed Rolls Royce. "We wanted the main character in the song to have and animated and whimsical feel to keep the video light hearted, so we used our Lipstick Mascot" adds HOURGLVSS. The video sees their lipstick mascot eventually free'd from their dark hole and sadness from persistent calling from friends which is the basis and message of the song. The video is fun and playful, taking inspiration from the likes of Bananarama and concluding with a nod to the film Never Ending Story. Eventually, the lipstick mascot is rescued and joins a magical ride of friendship.
HOURGLVSS operate 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.
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
05.05 Wrexham, Focus Wales Festival, Wynnstay Hotel (07:20 PM)
16.06 Isle of White Festival
