OurGlassZoo, a Vancouver-based band, has been making waves in the music industry with their unique blend of electronic rock and synth-pop. Formed nearly a decade ago by Garrett Woon (guitar) and Josias Tschanz (lead vocals), the band has evolved to create a versatile sound that resonates with a wide range of listeners. Their journey from humble beginnings to international acclaim is a testament to their talent, hard work, and dedication to their craft.
Early Success and Breakthroughs
OurGlassZoo’s debut EP in 2017 marked the beginning of their rise to fame. The EP made it to the semi-finals of the International Songwriting Competition (ISC), judged by renowned artists such as Lorde, Kaskade, Tom Waits, and Bastille. This early recognition set the stage for future successes. The singles “Somehow Somewhere” and “Listen” enjoyed extensive radio play in both Italy and the UK in 2018, establishing the band as a significant new voice in the music scene.
Their follow-up EP, “Hindsight,” released through SONY Orchard, has amassed an impressive 375,000 streams on Spotify. The singles “Astronaut,” “Sins,“ and “In Your Head“ received airplay across Italy, the UK, USA, and Canada, further expanding their international reach. The music video for “Astronaut,“ starring actor Georgie Daburas (Edward Spellman on the Netflix hit series Sabrina), was nominated for Best Music Video at the London Music Video Awards and won Best Rock Music Video at the LA Music Video Awards in 2020. Their second music video for “Sins“ in 2021 brought them even more international attention and prestigious awards.
Creating and Collaborating
In early 2022, OurGlassZoo released their highly anticipated first full-length album, “Aftermath,“ supported by Creative BC and the government of British Columbia. This album showcased their growth as artists and featured notable collaborations, such as the single “Free“ with multiple Juno award-winning hip-hop artists Prevail and Moka Only (Swollen Members). The track was remixed by renowned producer KutMasta Kurt, known for his work with the Beastie Boys and Linkin Park. The single “Here“ debuted on Canadian national radio (CBC One), while “Reminisce,“ a collaboration with Indonesian-Canadian electronic producer O.K.A, quickly garnered over 50,000 streams on Spotify and was featured as a title track in a film.
Their innovative approach and willingness to experiment with different genres have earned them accolades and a dedicated fan base. Magazines like Exclaim! and The Guardian have labeled them as a “new breakout artist,“ highlighting their impact on the music industry.
New Releases and Future Plans
In 2023, OurGlassZoo continued to build on their success with the release of their music video for “Free“ and “Free Remix“ on Radial by SONY Orchard, amassing nearly 100,000 views. This exposure earned them the title of “artist of the month“ on !Earshot, Canada’s biggest college radio station distributor.
The band has been hard at work on their fourth album, “Horizons,“ recorded at Monarch Studios with support from Creative BC and the government of British Columbia. The first single, “Home,“ featuring O.K.A and pop singer Rachael Schroeder (known for “The Handmaid’s Tale”), was released on May 24, 2024, through SONY Orchard, followed by the single “Burn“ on June 16, which also features O.K.A. The full album is set to be released at the end of August, with three more singles, including the highly anticipated “Shut Up,“ set to drop before then.
To celebrate the album release, OurGlassZoo will perform at the Biltmore in Vancouver on Friday, September 13. Following this, they are scheduled to tour the UK in the fall of 2024, bringing their unique sound to an even broader audience.
A Band with a Mission
OurGlassZoo’s music is not only about entertainment but also carries a message. As advocates for mental health awareness, the band has collaborated with the Canadian Mental Health Association on several occasions, using their platform to promote important social issues.
The band’s members, all immigrants to Canada, reflect their personal challenges and successes in their music and lyrics, creating a connection with listeners from diverse backgrounds. Their YouTube channel offers fans a glimpse into their creative process with music videos, live performances, and behind-the-scenes content. The interactive nature of their channel encourages fans to engage, comment, and provide feedback, fostering a strong community around their music.
OurGlassZoo continues to push the boundaries of electronic rock, creating music that is both innovative and deeply personal. Their journey is a testament to their resilience, creativity, and the power of music to bring people together.
We had the pleasure of interviewing the band members. Here are excerpts from the interview.
Hi, It’s great to have you with us today! Please share about yourself with our readers.
Hi, we are a rock band from Vancouver, Canada, with a touch of synth-pop and other genres that have influenced us over the years. You will find that our music is very versatile and attracts a wide range of listeners. All of us are immigrants to Canada, and we have found a new home here. Our challenges and success are reflected in our music and lyrics.
Please tell us about your YouTube channel.
Our YouTube channel is a great place for our listeners to find our music videos, live performances, and special behind-the-scenes content of our recording sessions, as well as the songs to our albums. We like to make it an interactive experience for our followers and love getting comments and feedback from you.
Please share your journey with our readers.
Our journey started nearly 10 years ago when Garrett Woon (guitar) and Josias Tschanz (lead vocals) first met and formed the band. Their different musical influences turned their songs into an interesting mix of different genres, which quickly got them a lot of media attention. The band is a big advocate for mental health awareness and has collaborated with the Canadian Mental Health Association on several occasions.
What are the strategies that helped you become successful in your journey?
One strategy that has helped us become successful is collaborations with other artists. The band has collaborated with hip-hop artists, pop artists, electronic producers, orchestras, etc. It allowed us to keep growing as musicians and brought new audiences to OurGlassZoo.
Any message for our readers?
We really value your support and hope you enjoy our music & videos. Please email us at ourglasszoo@gmail.com or reach out on social media if you have any feedback, comments, or requests. Please subscribe to our YouTube channel to stay on top of new releases as well.
Thank you so much for giving us your precious time! We wish you all the best for your journey ahead!