Glass Animals

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Band Timeline

2010

Formation of Glass Animals

Glass Animals was formed in Oxford, England in 2010 by four members: Dave Bayley (vocals, guitar, keyboards), Drew MacFarlane (guitar, keyboards, backing vocals), Edmund Irwin-Singer (bass, keyboards, backing vocals), and Joe Seaward (drums). The band members met at St Edward's School and bonded over their shared British-American childhood experiences. They began playing together and developing their unique indie rock sound that blends psychedelic pop and electronic elements.

2012-2014

Early EPs and Debut Album 'Zaba'

In May 2012, Glass Animals released their debut EP 'Leaflings', featuring the single 'Cocoa Hooves'. The band continued to grow their audience with further EPs in 2013 such as the 'Black Mambo / Exxus' and the US 'Glass Animals EP', including a collaboration with Jean Deaux. Their debut album 'Zaba' was released on 6 June 2014 and included singles like 'Gooey', which would become a platinum-certified hit in the US. After releasing several singles and touring extensively in the US and internationally, Glass Animals began to establish a dedicated following by performing at key festivals and on notable TV shows.

2016

Release of Second Album 'How to Be a Human Being'

On 26 August 2016, Glass Animals released their second studio album 'How to Be a Human Being'. The conceptual album features eleven tracks, each representing a different character and story inspired by people they encountered during their tours. The lead single 'Life Itself' charted strongly and the album received critical acclaim for its creativity and storytelling. This release marked a significant step up in their artistic maturity and earned the band two MPG Awards in 2018 for UK Album of the Year and Self Producing Artist of the Year, as well as a nomination for the prestigious Mercury Prize.

2018

Drummer Joe Seaward's Serious Accident

In July 2018, drummer Joe Seaward suffered a near-fatal cycling accident in Dublin, resulting in a broken leg, fractured skull, and brain surgery. This unexpected event forced the band to cancel their remaining tour dates and pause their activities temporarily. During Seaward's difficult recovery, frontman Dave Bayley began reflecting on personal experiences, which profoundly influenced the band's songwriting direction for their next album.

2020

Release of Third Album 'Dreamland'

Glass Animals released their third album 'Dreamland' on 7 August 2020, a deeply autobiographical record primarily written and produced by Dave Bayley. Inspired by Bayley's childhood in Texas and his experiences during the recovery period of drummer Joe Seaward, the album incorporates nostalgic themes and elements of R&B and hip-hop, diverging from their earlier sound. 'Dreamland' was well-received critically and debuted at number two on the UK Albums Chart and number seven on the US Billboard 200. Notable singles include 'Tokyo Drifting', 'Your Love (Déjà Vu)', and especially 'Heat Waves', which became a global hit.

2020-2022

Breakthrough Success of 'Heat Waves'

The single 'Heat Waves', released in June 2020, became Glass Animals' most successful and defining track. It gradually built momentum, going viral on TikTok and other platforms, culminating in topping the charts in multiple countries including the US Billboard Hot 100, Australia, Canada, and several European charts. Its 59-week climb to number one on the Billboard Hot 100 set a record for the longest ascent in chart history. The song surpassed three billion Spotify streams by mid-2024 and was praised for its evocative lyrics and innovative production. 'Heat Waves' earned nominations at the 2022 Brit Awards for Best British Single and contributed to Glass Animals' first Grammy nomination for Best New Artist.

Albums

ZABA

11 tracks

2014

How to Be a Human Being

I Love You So F***ing Much

10 tracks

2024

Sponsor content

Members

Current

Name

Begin

Occupation

Edmund Irwin-Singer

N/A

Dave Bayley

N/A

Joe Seaward

N/A

Drew MacFarlane

N/A

Story of Glass Animals

Glass Animals: From Oxford to Global Stardom

Glass Animals, the indie rock quartet hailing from Oxford, England, burst onto the scene in 2010. The band's lineup boasts Dave Bayley (vocals, guitar, keys, drums, songwriting), Drew MacFarlane (guitar, keys, backing vocals), Edmund Irwin-Singer (bass, keys, backing vocals), and Joe Seaward (drums).

Their debut album, "Zaba" (2014), propelled them into the spotlight with the platinum-selling single "Gooey." This success paved the way for their sophomore album, "How to Be a Human Being," which garnered critical acclaim and won them coveted awards: UK Album of the Year and Self Producing Artist of the Year at the 2018 MPG Awards. They also received a prestigious Mercury Prize nomination for this album.

Their third album, "Dreamland," reached number two on the UK Albums Chart and number seven on the US Billboard 200. This solidified their position as a major force in the music scene.

However, it was their hit single "Heat Waves" that catapulted them to global fame. The track went viral on TikTok, topping the charts in Australia and being crowned number one on the Triple J Hottest 100 of 2020. It has since surpassed two billion streams on Spotify and achieved the pinnacle of success, reaching number one on the US Billboard Hot 100 and number five on the UK Singles Chart.

The band's critical acclaim continued with two Brit Award nominations in 2022: Best British Alternative/Rock Act and "Heat Waves" for Best British Single. They also received their first Grammy nomination for Best New Artist at the 2022 Grammy Awards.

Early Days: 2010-2015

The four band members, all graduates of St Edward's School in Oxford, forged their musical bond during their formative years. This shared history serves as the foundation for their unique blend of indie rock, electronic, and psychedelic sounds.