Crystal Castles
2008 was a pretty spectacular year for Crystal Castles. Toronto-ites Ethan Kath and Alice Glass began the year as relative unknowns, and ended it as one of the most talked about bands in the world. Along the way, they released an eponymous debut album of darkly-skewed electro-punk, and toured the four corners of the globe with their barrage-of-noise-and- beats assault-on-the- senses live show. We caught up with them to get an insight into their year, and find out what’s on the horizon in 2009.
What were your highlights of 2008?
Alice: It’s been a complete blur. Actually, the last two or three years have been a blur – the last thing I remember, I was seventeen-years-old.
Have any experiences stayed with you?
Alice: Nothing stays with us. We live in the moment. Yesterday could’ve been a disaster, it doesn’t matter – we’re off to a new city today.
What was the most shocking thing you discovered last year?
Alice: My room mate is on trial for murder and that didn’t really shock me. I have high standards when it comes to shock.
What’s the funniest thing that happened on tour last year?
Alice: We forgot our drummer in London. We had flown to the U.S. and didn’t realise it until we hailed a cab outside the airport in NYC and he wasn’t there.
Was it a surprise to have so much success?
Alice: We’re always in a van driving to a new city so we don’t have a concept of it. We’re always surprised when we show up to a show and there’s a line up of people waiting for us, we’re always flattered.
Why do you think your mutant reinterpretation of dance music has struck such a resonance?
Ethan: I’ve never thought about it. Maybe people are ready to like music that’s not definable.
