Alice Glass

Life and career

1988–2014: early life and Crystal Castles

Alice Glass was born Margaret Osborn on 25 August 1988 in Toronto, Ontario.*

• https://www.instagram.com/p/BYRokpeF1xZ/
• She was raised Catholic, attending parochial school up until junior high. At age 15, she ran away from home to live in a squat community of punks under the name Vicki Vale (after the comic book character) and started an all-girl experimental punk band called Fetus Fatale. In December 2003, she and Ethan Kath began working together on the project that would become Crystal Castles. She picked the stage name Alice Glass based on a pin with the name Alice that she shoplifted and Hopey Glass, a character in Love and Rockets.

Crystal Castles' first official release was their 2006 single "Alice Practice". The song got the band their first record deal with Merok Records in London. The same year, Crystal Castles played their first live show at Clinton's Tavern in Toronto. "Alice Practice" was eventually featured on their eponymous debut album released in 2008. Glass topped NMEs Cool List that year and responded to it by criticizing the idea of the cool list itself. The duo followed their debut album with two more critically acclaimed albums, II (2010) and III (2012), completing a trilogy. Glass co-wrote every Crystal Castles song she contributed vocals to. In October 2014, Glass announced her departure from Crystal Castles due to her own professional and personal reasons. In the announcement, she noted that working within the band compromised her efforts towards "sincerity, honesty, and empathy for others". She later had a number of public disagreements with her former bandmate, including accusing him of assault and sexual misconduct.

2015–2017: solo singles and lawsuit

In July 2015, Glass released her debut single as a solo artist, "Stillbirth". The release was largely an effort to increase awareness of domestic and sexual abuse. Glass worked with anti-sexual assault organization RAINN to donate all proceeds from the song's revenue to aid abuse victims.

In August 2017, Glass released "Without Love", which served as the lead single to her eponymous debut EP which was released the following week. She did a tour with Marilyn Manson following the release of the EP.

In October 2017, Glass posted a statement on her official website explaining her departure from Crystal Castles, and accused co-founder Ethan Kath of sexual, physical, and mental abuse. The accusations detailed that the claimed abuse started when Glass was 15 and began recording with Kath and escalated until her eventual departure from Crystal Castles. Kath responded the same day in a statement issued to Pitchfork through his attorney, where he called the accusations "pure fiction" and said he was consulting with his lawyers as to his legal options. The following month, Kath sued Glass for defamation, but this was dismissed in February 2018.

• In May, Glass was awarded nearly US$21,000 in attorney fees after Kath's lawyers sought to vacate the dismissal of his defamation lawsuit against Glass.

2018–2020: non-album single releases

In January 2018, Glass released "Forgiveness" as the second single from her EP. That month, she also released a single called "Cease and Desist", which she said "is a call to arms for all survivors." Both singles were accompanied by music videos.

In April 2018, Glass embarked on her SnowBlood Tour alongside American singer Zola Jesus, with electronic musician Pictureplane being an opening act on select dates. The tour is named after Lady Snowblood, spurned star of the eponymous 1973 Japanese film. Later that month, Glass released a remix EP, consisting of remixes of songs from her eponymous EP released in 2017. The EP includes remixes from both Zola Jesus and Pictureplane.

In June 2018, Glass released a new single, "Mine", accompanied by a music video directed by Lucas David and starring American drag queen Violet Chachki.

In December 2018, Glass was featured on Adult Swim's singles series with a new song titled "I Trusted You".

In 2020, Glass revealed that she does not receive appropriate royalties from her work in Crystal Castles. She disavowed her tenure in the band and asked fans to cease their support of the group.

2021: ''Prey//IV''

Glass released the single "Suffer and Swallow" on 6 January 2021, which was the first song she shared from her solo debut album. The song was accompanied by a stop-motion music video by Lucas David.

Glass had a guest appearance on Alice Longyu Gao's single "Legend" which was released on 27 May 2021.

On 19 November 2021, Glass unveiled the title and shared the track listing of her solo debut album Prey//IV and announced a release date of 28 January 2022 on her own Eating Glass Records. The announcement was accompanied the single "Baby Teeth", which had by a music video by Astra Zero and Lucas David.

On 8 December 2021, Glass premiered the single "Fair Game" accompanied by a music video directed by Bryan M. Ferguson.

On 28 January 2022, Glass released "Love Is Violence", after the album's release was delayed to February. The single was accompanied by a music video by Bryan M. Ferguson. The early 2000s-inspired video depicts two teenagers who sensually pull out each other's entrails.

Upon the album's release on the 16 February 2022, Glass premiered a music video for "Everybody Else" directed by Astra Zero.

Dazed described the album: "The extreme pop album is rammed with vivid portrayals of body horror, where eerie soundscapes intertwine with distorted and warped synths, accompanied by a drum loop that punctuates the tracks. These rough dissonances create a claustrophobic panorama, while Glass’ lyrics overlay descriptions of violent fantasies."

''2022 – Present''

On 21 September 2022, Glass released a new single, "Lips Apart".

On 18 April 2024, Glass released a cover of the Smashing Pumpkins song "Drown," produced by Jupiter Keyes.

On 21 June 2024, Glass released a new single, "Remains", featuring New York-based musician Clip. The same day, a visualizer was also released on Glass's YouTube channel.

In November 2025, Glass released "MERCY KILL" which Margaret Farrell of Stereo Gum described as having "demonic vocals, crackles of skittering percussion, and pearlescent synths". The single previews a "larger project" due in 2026. The single was featured on the Alternative Press "A-sides: 10 new songs you have to hear" list for the week of November 21 2025.

Solo discography

Studio albums

Extended plays

Remix EPs

Singles

Guest appearances

Music videos

References

References

1. Mckenzie, Lesley. (2 August 2016). "alice glass on feminism, fashion and music industry creeps". [[i-D]].
2. Mcnett, Jared. (8 October 2014). "Five songs to listen to now that Crystal Castles appear to be done". [[Vox (magazine).
3. (17 February 2015). "Crystal Castles' Leading Lady Alice Glass is Embracing Her Own Darkness". [[Vice (magazine).
4. Dombal, Ryan. (8 November 2012). "Interviews: Crystal Castles". Pitchfork.
5. Gillen, Kieron. "Crystal Castles Interview". [[Plan B (magazine).
6. Mckenzie, Lesley. (18 July 2016). "Alice Glass - Eighty-Nine". Agolde.
7. SoftandFading. (9 April 2015). "Crystal Castles interview MTV Backstage Pass (Full) c. 2008".
8. (14 March 2013). "The Roots Of... Crystal Castles". [[NME]].
9. "When and where was Crystal Castles first live performance?".
10. (4 November 2008). "Crystal Castles' Alice Glass reacts to topping 2008 Cool List". [[NME]].
11. Dominic Amphetamine. (19 November 2016). "Crystal Castles Interview Headlining NME Tour Alice Glass Ethan Kath".
12. (8 October 2014). "Crystal Castles announce their split on Twitter".
13. (17 April 2015). "Alice Glass Responds To Ethan Kath's "Manipulative" Statements About Crystal Castles". Stereogum.
14. (15 July 2015). "STILLBIRTH - Single by Alice Glass on Apple Music". [[iTunes]].
15. (17 July 2015). "Alice Glass releases first solo single, opens up about "abusive relationship"". [[Fact (UK magazine).
16. Maine, Samantha. (10 August 2017). "Alice Glass shares video for 'Without Love', announces tour with Marilyn Manson". [[NME]].
17. "Alice Glass Statement".
18. Strauss, Matthew. (24 October 2017). "Alice Glass Accuses Crystal Castles Co-Founder Ethan Kath of Rape and Assault; Kath Responds". Pitchfork.
19. Hodan, Marc. (17 May 2018). "Alice Glass Awarded Nearly $21,000 in Attorney Fees After Ethan Kath Lawsuit Dismissed". Pitchfork.
20. Strauss, Matthew. (23 January 2018). "Alice Glass' New Song Is a "Call to Arms for Survivors"". Pitchfork.
21. (23 April 2018). "Alice Glass to release new remix EP on Friday (April 27), kicks off tour this week". [[Tiny Mix Tapes]].
22. (15 June 2018). "Hear Alice Glass' Brittle, Soaring New Song "Mine"". [[Revolver (magazine).
23. (21 December 2018). "Listen to Alice Glass' brooding new single 'I Trusted You'". [[NME]].
24. Richards, Will. (15 October 2020). "Alice Glass says she is being "gutted" over Crystal Castles royalty payments".
25. Reilly, Nick. (6 January 2021). "Alice Glass shares stop-motion video for new track 'Suffer and Swallow'".
26. Helman, Peter. (27 May 2021). "Alice Longyu Gao – "Legend" (Feat. Alice Glass)".
27. Hussey, Allison. (19 November 2021). "Alice Glass Details Debut Album, Shares Video for New Song "Baby Teeth": Watch". Pitchfork.
28. Zemler, Emily. (2021-12-08). "Alice Glass Breaks Her Chains in 'Fair Game' Music Video".
29. (2022-01-28). "Alice Glass Serves Teen Goth Gore in 'Love Is Violence' Video".
30. (2022-02-16). "Alice Glass drops debut full-length 'PREY//IV' with "Everybody Else" video".
31. May, Angelika. (2024-04-16). "Alice Glass has some things to say about men".
32. Robinson, Ellie. (2022-09-22). "Alice Glass shuts herself out on melancholic new single 'Lips Apart'".
33. Bloom, Madison. (2024-04-18). "Alice Glass Releases New Cover of the Smashing Pumpkins' "Drown": Listen".
34. (2024-06-21). "Alice Glass & Clip Share New Song "Remains": Listen".
35. Alice Glass. (2024-06-21). "REMAINS (Official Visualizer)".
36. (21 November 2025). "Alice Glass Shares New Single "MERCY KILL": Listen".
37. Staff, BrooklynVegan. "13 New Songs Out Today".
38. "New music on our radar this week: Danny L Harle, Lancey Foux, Shy One".
39. Magazine, Alternative Press. "AP A-sides: 10 songs you need to hear".
40. (14 January 2022). "Love Is Violence".
41. "Alice Glass".
42. (2022-09-21). "Lips Apart".
43. (2024-05-19). "Drown".
44. Gregory, Allie. (Jul 16, 2025). "Alice Glass's "CATCH AND RELEASE" Drowns Out the Noise".
45. Farrell, Margaret. (2025-11-21). "Alice Glass Shares New Single "MERCY KILL": Listen".
46. (14 November 2018). "Grudge2 - EP by Dreamcrusher on Apple Music". [[Apple Music]].
47. (16 November 2018). "Heavy Down Pour - EP by Lil Zubin on Apple Music". [[Apple Music]].
48. "Hear Alice Glass's new song "I Trusted You"". [[The Fader]].
49. (January 2019). "Amity by Nedarb on Apple Music". [[Apple Music]].
50. (May 2023). "Chastity (feat. Alice Glass) - Single by Pussy Riot & Boys Noize on Apple Music". [[Apple Music]].
51. (10 August 2017). "Alice Glass - Without Love (Official Video)".
52. (11 January 2018). "Alice Glass - Forgiveness (Official Video)".
53. (23 January 2018). "Alice Glass - Cease and Desist (Official Video)".
54. (15 June 2018). "Alice Glass - Mine (Music Video)".