While the band's early work blended noise rock with electropop, their later work incorporates Italo disco. The band is known for evolving through the years since their original collaboration, and experimenting with various musical genres.
They have released a number of albums since the early 2000s, their most recent being 2008's Deep Gems.
Glass Candy was formed by Ida No, from Vancouver, Washington and Johnny Jewel, from Austin, Texas, in 1996. The two began working together in Portland, Oregon, just across the Columbia River from No's hometown of Vancouver, Washington. No describes their early work as "droney and weird." Their first two singles, which they self-released under the name "Glass Candy & the Shattered Theatre", were "Metal Gods" (2001) and a cover of Josie Cotton's "Johnny Are You Queer" (2002). They toured with The Convocation Of... in 2001, and released a live album that year on Vermin Scum. Their first studio album, Love Love Love, was issued on Troubleman Unlimited in 2003. A second full-length followed on Troubleman the next year. Jewel founded Italians Do It Better with Mike Simonetti as a subsidiary of Troubleman. In 2007 Glass Candy released their third album B/E/A/T/B/O/X on this label to considerable critical praise. In late 2008, a rarities, b-sides and remix album was released under the name Deep Gems. In a review of Deep Gems, Spin Magazine referred to the band as "an eccentric Portland pair" that "spook the dance floor".
Glass Candy songs were used for a Chloe runway show, as well as used by Karl Lagerfeld for the Spring/Summer '08 Chanel Haute Couture fashion show and the Fall/Winter one of '08/'09.
Recently Glass Candy's "Digital Versicolour" was used in the soundtrack to Nicolas Winding Refn's feature length film Bronson.
Current members
Ida No - vocals
Johnny Jewel (formerly known as John David V.) - drums, programming
Former members
Avalon Kalin - drums
Jimi Hey - drums
Dusty Sparkles - saxophone and drums
Discography
Smashed Candy (Vermin Scum, 2001)
Love Love Love (Troubleman Unlimited, 2003)
Life After Sundown (Troubleman Unlimited 2004)
Iko (Troubleman Unlimited, 2005)
"I Always Say Yes (12" Main)" (Italians Do It Better, 2007)
B/E/A/T/B/O/X (Italians Do It Better, 2007)
Miss Broadway (Vinyl, 12")" (Italians Do It Better, 2008)
Deep Gems (Italians Do It Better, 2008)
Rolling Down The Hills
Glass Candy Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
In yellow and white
I see my figure out in front me
The body shapes itself accordingly
I'm for all when I am geometry
Rolling down the hills
In blue and green
Pulled away quietly
To the farthest reaches of night
Rolling back to white
Dust and dark clouds make me glad
If the day seems bleak
Why should I feel deprived?
Rolling back I'm alive
The lyrics to Glass Candy's song "Rolling Down The Hills" present an abstract, dream-like representation of the self and the environment. The idea of "rolling down the hills" creates a sense of movement and freedom, while the descriptions of colours such as yellow, white, blue and green provide a visual display of the surroundings. The line "I see my figure out in front of me" implies a disconnection from the self, as if the singer is observing their own actions from afar. However, the following line "the body shapes itself accordingly" suggests a harmonization between the self and the environment. The singer then states "I'm for all when I am geometry", which could be interpreted as a reflection of the mathematical and universal nature of the self.
In the second verse, the singer describes spiraling away from their past experiences and perceptions. The colours blue and green create an image of nature and calmness, while the act of closing the eyes implies a withdrawal from the immediate world. The line "pulled away quietly" reinforces this feeling of separation and detachment. The last line "to the farthest reaches of night" adds a surreal and mystical quality to the verse. The final verse returns to the present moment, with the singer rolling back to white. The contrast between "dust and dark clouds" and feeling "glad" creates a sense of acceptance and even joy in the midst of difficult circumstances. The singer's declaration of being "alive" suggests a renewal of energy and connection with the self.
Line by Line Meaning
Rolling down the hills
Letting go and allowing life to carry me forward without resistance
In yellow and white
Surrounded by the purity of light and newfound freedom
I see my figure out in front me
Observing myself as an observer, separate from my physical form
The body shapes itself accordingly
The physical form mirrors the internal state of being
I'm for all when I am geometry
My true self is not bound by societal constructs, but rather exists as a shapeless, limitless entity
In blue and green
Surrounded by the calming hues of nature
I close my eyes and spiral away from all I've done and seen
Letting go of attachment to past experiences and allowing myself to be carried by the present moment
Pulled away quietly
Guided by an unseen force, effortless in my surrender
To the farthest reaches of night
Entering a state of darkness and uncertainty, with the potential of new beginnings
Rolling back to white
Returning to a state of light and purity
Dust and dark clouds make me glad
Finding joy in the midst of chaos and adversity, knowing that it is necessary for growth
If the day seems bleak
Acknowledging the reality of difficult and challenging situations
Why should I feel deprived?
Questioning the mindset of victimhood, and choosing to see the opportunity for growth in adversity
Rolling back I'm alive
Finding newfound energy and vibrancy, as a result of overcoming challenges and embracing the present moment
Contributed by Owen G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.