Beginning in 1996, Mark Morris and his sister April Morris started writing songs and recording cassette demos in their parents' basement. They started playing live as an acoustic duo around 1999. By 2000 Mark and April had finished recording their first album 'So glad to be Here', which was officially released on Jam Records in 2001. Later that year glowfriends began playing shows as a four-piece with violinist, Erin Butler, and her brother Brendan. In 2002 the band's line up expanded further, with the addition of Mark and April's childhood friend J.W. Hendrix on drums, and Mark's longtime girlfriend Holly Klutts on bass guitar. The six of them spent the better half of 2004 in the studio recording their second album, 'Leave The Hall Light On', which was released May 21st, 2005 on Jam Records.
Glowfriends went on to play shows in Philadelphia, Chicago, New York and Los Angeles; as well as many shows in and around the Michigan area. The band has played shows with artists such as: Carissa's Wierd, Mates of State, Elf Power, All Girl Summer Fun Band, Brief Candles, Make Believe and Chris Brokaw (The New Year, Come, Codeine).
Following the release of their second album, some big changes took place within the band. With the departure of their violinist and cellist, the band began to move in a different direction. Glowfriends started work on a new record with Chicago producer/engineer, Charlie Piper, who came to Kalamazoo and recorded the glowfriends basic tracks for 16 songs within 5 days. On December 17th, 2005, guitarist Mark Morris and bassist Holly Klutts were wed. Not long after that, Jenn Hendrix (J.W. Hendrix's wife) joined the band on vibraphone in January of 2006. That same year, glowfriends performed several dates in Liverpool, England, in May, and a string of dates on the West Coast during the summer. Glowfriends released their third album, 'A Farewell to Fair-Weather' which was released on Jam Records, on March 3rd, 2007.
While glowfriends were on the road promoting their third album on the West Coast, they got the chance to make their first television appearance on a San Diego News Station, in July, 2007. That summer also marked the first annual KALAMASHOEGAZER (an all day shoegaze fest!) in Kalamazoo, MI on August 24th, 2007, which was hosted by April Morris.
In 2008, the band spent most of their time writing and recording what would become their fourth full length album, ‘To Have & To Hold’ which was released on March 21st, 2009. Glowfriends are currently touring to support their new album.
New release for 2009 on Jam Records... The 4th amazing full length cd from the Michigan Shoegaze/Dream pop/Indie pop quintet "glowfriends" is here. The band takes the listener into further and deeper sonic landscapes making this their finest and most uplifting release to date! The songwriting is melodically strong, production is crystal clear with walls of layered guitars, bass, drums and vibraphone. Ambient effects abound through a slipstream of sonic delight. Thanks to the talented mixing hands of Charlie Piper this is top gear production. Sweet layered male/female harmonies from Mark, April, and Holly Morris bring a perfectly smooth genetic blend that is rarely found in most groups.Bottom line: This is a sublime Shoegaze/dream pop cd that will please fans of DEATH CAB FOR CUTIE, RIDE, AMERICAN ANALOG SET, SLOWDIVE, IRON AND WINE, PEDRO THE LION, MY BLOODY VALENTINE, ASOBI SEKSU, JIMMY EAT WORLD, SUFJAN STEVENS, SWERVEDRIVER, THE SMITHS, and TREMBLING BLUE STARS! This one goes down smooth and is easy on the ears while demonstrating some nice time signatures and sonic excitement. GRADE A *****
2007 Release from JAM out now!!! The 3rd release from GLOWFRIENDS finds the band evolving to a 5 piece band consisting of April, Mark, and Holly, Morris and J.W.and Jenn Hendrix. Here on this wonderful new release we find GLOWFRIENDS exploring new sonic dimensions. Recorded by the lengendary Charlie Piper (The Idea, Phil Angotti and host of others), the CD is sonically pristeen! Also noteworthy, is that the songwriting has evolved with stronger melody and an increase of vocal harmony coming from April, and Mark, and Holly Morris. The instrumentation consists of guitars, bass, keyboards, vibraphone, drums and strings. Glowfriends draw their inspiration from Trembling Blue Stars, Galaxie 500, Slowdive,Nick Drake, The Shins, Snow Patrol, The Sundays, Mazzy Star, Sigur Ros, Asilers Set, Death Cab For Cutie, Tamas Wells, Francoise Hardy, The Smiths,Sunny Day Real Estate, Ride, Travis, and a host of others. What sets this band apart is that they have matured into creating their own special sound. "A fairwell to fair-weather" is a really great cd and their best yet! A band to watch for! GRADE A *****
Wonderful new 2005 release. GLOWFRIENDS are a 6 piece band (guitars,piano,violin,cello,bass,drums,and vox) hailing from Kalamazoo, Michigan. Their sound is sublime orchestral pop music with acoustic leanings and sheer high quality. Fans of Nick Drake, The Sundays, Mazzy Star, Ivy, Splendid, Colin Blunstone, Tamas Wells, Tim Reid, Trembling Blue Stars, etc.. will all find themsleves right at home with this cd. Fantastic and highly recommended.
Glowfriends are the songwriting duo of April and Mark Morris. A bright new hope, Glowfriends have crafted atruly fine debut many will love! The sound is fresh andwhile comparisons are inevitable, Glowfriends radiate amusical euphoria all their own. A breather for thoseseeking creative soundscapes, ...come up for air!!! "Soglad to be here" will not disappoint! The jangle folkguitar of the 60's pushes straight into the newmillenium. "So glad to be here" contains 12 guitar basedtunes fronted with dreamy beautiful female vocals. If you enjoy genteel pop ala Sixpence None the Richer, TheSundays, Mazzy Star, or any band with sensitive female vox, check this one out! More reviews to come!
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