The Glass Jars
Birmingham, Alabama, United States | Established. Jan 01, 2012 | SELF
Music
Press
he music features a tantalizing viola riff behind Shawna’s heartfelt vocals. The emotion in the track is tangible. You can feel the emotion in the voice as she sings. I really enjoy the song’s dark tone. - Bracket + Bracket
If the album needed a hook, it certainly has one in “Cocoa Butter.” From the provocative title to the sultry delivery, the confessional song embodies The Glass Jars’ style perfectly. Thoughts of desire and restraint are addressed through moody vocals and a catchy chorus. - Magic City Bands
"The Evolution of Containment starts out with strong openers “PRT,” “Navajo” and “Dirty” that show the band’s true potential: combining the electric viola, groovy bass lines and exciting drums set behind an ethereal lead vocal... It’s like putting the words to a sonnet by Keats in a modern day rock music video. - The Equal Ground
Birmingham’s The Glass Jars bring a batch of rock ‘n’ roll that pulls inspiration from ‘90s alternative rock outfits such as The Pixies and Cowboy Junkies. Vocalist/guitarist’s Shawna Ross’ haunting vocals are carried by polished instrumentation. - Mobile Lagniappe Weekly
They began almost two years ago as strangers joining each other on stage at open mics, and then realized that there was a common vision, chemistry and appreciation, and thus the beginnings of Loup-Garou. Since that genesis, they've seen changes in instrumentation, personnel, and a new name - The Glass Jars - but the music has only gotten better... - The Leaf
Most songs about love and life tend to fall in either the category of 'lyrical' or 'clear-eyed.' But singer/songwriter Shawna Ross has an uncanny gift for combining the two, again and again, with memorable results. Ross is exactly what a lover of new music craves: The Real Thing. - Dale Short- Music From Home 101.5FM
Discography
Evolution Of Containment
Released March 2014
Loup-Garou (EP)
Released September 2012
Photos
Bio
“The Glass Jars has a sound that boasts a one of a kind mix of jazz, blues, funk, and indie rock, it meshes sultry and lush vocals and strings with rhythms that have left crowds all over the Southeast dancing, swaying, and asking for more.”
So says Alabama music blog, Valley Planet, who manages to sum up what many listeners have been unable to describe when talking about this group’s multifaceted sound. The Glass Jars flits from genre to genre to express singer/songwriter Shawna Ross’s autobiographical tunes. This female fronted band has a unique sound to offer in it’s unlikely instrumentation which features two female vocalists, lead electric viola, jazzy bass riffs, and deliciously moody keys.
They were brought together under unlikely circumstances from an impromptu jam session at a German baby shower, resulting in a years long musical relationship. The band lineup and instrumentation has changed throughout the years, but the group’s focus on musical and personal chemistry maintains the intimacy of the sound and songwriting. The Glass Jars pulls from a variety of influences, the most notable being, Fiona Apple, Beirut, and The Pixies. “The Glass Jars bring a batch of rock ‘n’ roll that pulls inspiration from ‘90s alternative rock outfits such as The Pixies and Cowboy Junkies. Vocalist/guitarist’s Shawna Ross’ haunting vocals are carried by polished instrumentation.” Stephen Centanni - Mobile Lagniappe Weekly.
Since hitting the Birmingham scene in 2012, The Glass Jars has grown organically, by gigging throughout Birmingham and the Southeast with shows in Atlanta, Shreveport, New Orleans, Little Rock, and Mobile with many stops in between. They've been fortunate enough to share the stage with acts like Grammy-nominated Ashanti Floyd and the Symphony Crack Orchestra, Lee Baines III and the Glory Fires, The Soul Rebel Brass Band, Matt Owens and the Eclectic Tuba, and The Fiddleworms.
They have earned critical acclaim along with a few awards along the way. Their first being the Birmingham Mountain Radio Jams competition which provided them free FM radio airtime and free studio time with Les Nuby III of 90’s alt-rock band, Verbena at Ol Elegante Studios. Inspired by Nuby and the recording process, they went on to record a full length LP which was released in March of 2014. The Evolution of Containment has been praised by fans and reviewers alike, Jason Hamrick of Substrate Radio hailed it as, “Absolutely great! Superb record" and Dale Short, host of Music at Home, 101.5 FM gave the songs a glowing review, “Most songs about love and life tend to fall in either the category of 'lyrical' or 'clear-eyed.' But singer/songwriter Shawna Ross has an uncanny gift for combining the two, again and again, with memorable results. Ross is exactly what a lover of new music craves: The Real Thing.” Samantha Kanne of music blog, The Equal Ground says, “The contrast of the viola with heavy drums and heavy bass is refreshing. It’s like putting the words to a sonnet by Keats in a modern day rock music video.”
The Glass Jars toured the Southeast in support of The Evolution of Containment, stopping by in Mississippi, Louisiana, Florida, Georgia, and Alabama to share their sound with new audiences and venues. This group really shines on the stage with sets that are simultaneously intimate and dynamic. They can compel an audience to listen, whether it be in a coffee house, concert hall, or dive bar. “The Glass Jar’s warm sound would seem just as fitting in Birmingham as it would in any open door venue in New Orleans” Tom Little, Magic City Bands. The Glass Jars is still expanding to new cities and states, venues and audiences while constantly creating new music in a style that’s all their own.
Band Members
Links
