We’ve updated this review with info on Glosser’s touring members!
“We usually play as a two-piece electronic duo,” said Riley Fanning of Glosser at the start of her recent appearance at DC9. But on this day, Glosser performed as a quartet, adding a bassist and drummer to fill out their sound.
It was a strong if short turn at nine songs, suggesting Glosser has a lot of great possibilities to build on what is already a killer foundation.
Riley and Corbin Sheehan formed Glosser and released their first-self titled EP in 2021. They then released Downer, their debut full-length record, in 2023. I discovered them accidentally around this time when they opened for Dragonette at Union Stage that year. I was a little let down by the Dragonette set, which leaned more into house and electropop music than I would have preferred, but Glosser were a revelation — a synthpop duo who were spreading their wings at that time.
Glosser has now released Angel Dust, another EP, and the band headlined an EP release show at DC9 on Jan. 31. DC9 is a great place for Glosser to experiment. As it happens, Riley and Corbin met at DC9 prior to the pandemic and then formed the band and dove into some really great dreampop, inspired by favorites like Beach House.
Last week, then, Glosser added two touring bandmates, and this opened the doors to an expanded sound. Joining Riley and Corbin were Sebastian Rodriguez was on bass and synth and Ben Melrod was on drums. Both also are members of Candyweather; Sebastian makes bedroom pop as Bash Rodriquez, Ben also plays in electronic outfit Origin of Speech. Their skillset is a strong complement to the core Glosser duo.
Glosser still very much are a dreampop band but they could now tap into psychedelic energies outside of their synthesizers. And so, for example, the beautifully crisp “Angel Dust” title track became something less crystalline and more muscular in performance at DC9.
Watch the official music video for “Angel Dust” by Glosser at DC9 on YouTube:
Glosser focused on the EP in the course of the show, opening with the tracks “NYD” and “Dove Dreams” and reserving crowd pleaser “Silver Star” for the end. They dedicated the rest of their set to standout tunes from Downer, including “Disco Girls,” a powerful mood setter that hopefully will remain a part of their live show for a long time to come. The last song of the evening was their also very good “Movies,” a pretty amazing track that says goodbye with heart.
At DC9, Glosser was accompanied by two openers. First up was Flo Petite, who impressed with her big and expressive voice.
Stream Flo Petite on Spotify:
DMV “dream-rock” band Close were a little harder but also very interesting with Mateo Salazar (drums), Julian Oliver (bass), Andrew Bezila (guitar), and Victor Arce (keys, guitar).
Stream Close on Spotify:
DC9 was pretty full for this show, all three bands drawing people in the venue. Glosser, however, seem ready to punch it up to the next level. I’m excited to see what’s next for the band.
Here are some photos of Glosser performing at DC9 on Jan. 31. All pictures by Mickey McCarter.
