Alice Glass - Stillbirth
Alice Glass was a member of Crystal Castles until they split up last year. Only, they didn't actually split up, because her former bandmate Ethan Kath is still releasing music under the Crystal Castles name. Along with those new songs, Kath has also been playing down Glass's contribution to the band's recorded output, writing that she "didn't appear on Crystal Castles' best known songs" – to which Glass tweeted "manipulative statements about my contributions to the band only reinforce the decision I made to move on to other things".
And Glass has moved on to other things and is now looking to the future with her first solo single Stillbirth. Released tomorrow, all proceeds from the single's digital sales will go towards survivors of sexual violence, domestic abuse, and incest.
Glass posted a statement on her website: "Years ago I began the process of trying to remove myself from an abusive relationship that started when I was a teenager," she writes, "Over the course of that relationship I was systematically cut off from anyone and everyone that I could truly be close to. I was talked down to, yelled at, locked into rooms and criticized daily about my abilities, my weight, my looks, my intelligence and almost every move I made. When I couldn’t take it anymore and I wanted to end the relationship I was threatened, then I was told I was loved, and the cycle would begin again."
It continues, "I want young women and young men to understand that this kind of treatment of others can happen where it might be least expected. Even in environments that thrive on creativity and open-mindedness, that advocate artistic and counter-culture ideals… The clarity I’ve gained since getting out of that situation has opened up my life in a way that I didn’t imagine was possible. Although some of the pain and anger still lingers, my life finally feels as though it has value and meaning. I speak out now hoping that I can encourage other young women and young men to affirm their value within their relationships or get out… Those that have known me throughout my career might be surprised that someone who publicly gave the impression of being fearless and seemed as though they didn’t take shit from anyone could find themselves being severely mistreated and manipulated by someone they were close to. This person nearly stripped me of myself. And for years I felt as though they were waiting for my life to end. Stillbirth was written by myself and Jupiter Keyes in our basement. There is no label involved. It will be available through iTunes, Spotify, etc. beginning July 18. All proceeds for digital purchases of this song will benefit organizations (like the nonprofit RAINN) that help survivors of domestic abuse, sexual violence and incest. You can donate directly to them at https://donate.rainn.org or via the link on my website at http://www.alice-glass.com/. There is a sister song to Stillbirth that I hope to release soon, she is a lullaby and she can’t wait to meet you."
