GLASS KINGDOM
So for the two years that I’ve been at the University, I’ve been in a progressive metalcore project called ‘Glass Kingdom.’ During this time, I have played shows in: Cheltenham, Birmingham and Leicester. We were also meant to play in Bristol, Bedford and Wolverhampton but unfortunately we had to pull of them shows due to our original drummer leaving.
Our biggest show was with the critically acclaimed ‘Black Tongue’ who have toured Europe, the US, Australia and more! This was a big deal for me because they’ve been a band that I have looked up to for a while now. I remember when I was first getting into heavy music, I heard them and just thought how the hell do people listen to this, it’s just noise. Little did I Know I would grow to absolutely adore them and actually share the stage with them.
It’s been a wild ride for the past two years. We released our debut track Titled ‘Chemicals’ on the 30th of December last year to a decent reception! It felt great to finally have a track out!
Here is the link to ‘Chemicals’: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=etyrV0eIc3M
SHOWS THAT I HAVE PUT ON
Putting shows on is something I’ve always wanted to do since I started going to them. I’ve only put on two shows in the last year, but they’ve both been huge learning experiences for me and have put me in contact with some people I hold dear to my heart now. The first show in particular was a learning experience. I was naive and I didn’t really think for myself enough. However something happened very close to the event. Two weeks before, I was told by the venue events manager that they double booked the date the we had agreed and we both compromised to move it to the week after. This meant that the two main bands I had for this show ‘Cove’ and ‘Rxptrs’ had to drop out. Although this was not favourable, I decided to press on with it, and booked now friends ‘Lastelle’ and ‘Values’. This night turned out to be a lovely and proud night for me as there were still a good amount of people through the door!
The second show that I put on was a lot more successful and I would say that what I learnt from the first show certainly carried over. I made sure to research the scene in Leicester, with what bands, and genres people were into when I was making my decision on who to book. I also wanted to get Glass Kingdom their first show in Leicester (Where I’m originally from.)
I got an Email from Perspective management with a package of: Starve To Survive (Now with the alias of ‘Starved’) and Reclaimer. I thought this would be a great package for because the metalcore and post hardcore scene has gotten stronger and stronger over the past year. On this lineup, I also got The Human Veil, who are a Manchester Metalcore band who have in the last year started to gain a lot of traction. Earlier in that year they went on their first UK tour with Borders. Finally on this lineup, I got ‘Darkest Days’. They are some great friends of mine, and have a good pull in Leicester as that is where they are mostly based.
This show took Place in the basement known as the Vault at the venue The Shed. It’s a venue that I hold dear to my heart as I have spent many nights there and attended a lot of shows there. I agreed and signed a contract for this show and the night was set in stone for the 14th of September.
This show was significantly more successful, with the room being packed out, and me making back on the door the money to pay the bands and the venue!
EXPLORING NEW PASTURES
For this course, I wanted to explore completely alien genres to me performance, and recording wise. For the whole time I have being performing on stage, It has always been Metal. Nothing else. This course is typically (as stated in the name) centred around Popular music. Which is something I’ve never quite dabbled in. I’ve absolutely loved the challenge of adjusting to new genres, and expanding the repertoire of what’s in my music library. I have found some of my new favourite artists now because of this course. The likes of Dua Lipa and Tom Misch being my absolutely favourite. It has inspired me to want to create as much music as possible. Unfortunately due to the pandemic this has been halted, however when it is over, I plan on making use of all of the Universities facilities to create the best end product I can! During this year I have created a couple songs of the pop Origin. Such as my self produced single “Love Lost” that I released earlier this year on soundcloud as part of my Production Assignment.
Something more recent that I have taken Part in has been Orbit Productions EP Orbit, I sang a song entitled ‘Why Should I wait’ which will be being release on the 10th of June!
VOCAL COVERS
Something else that I have started to do more to get my name out there is vocal covers! I recently upgraded my microphone that I use at home to a Shure SM7b. It has done absolute wonders for the quality of sound I get for home recording for my vocals. It has also got me mixing my own vocals which is something new to me as my only experience of actually doing this was my song Love Lost. I have noticed a distinct improvement in my vocal ability over the last couple weeks as well due to me practising proper technique. I shall link below my cover of the track ‘Lily & The Moon’ by Thornhill. If you would like to see more of my covers, head to my youtube chanel titled ‘Kurtans Vocals.’
It has been an extremely eventful year for me, and writing this blog has reminded me of how much I have accomplished so far. I am sure that so much more is on the way and I will be updating this blog page as and when I accomplish more goals!
Haydn Brine - Musician 