Weimar “I Smashed The Looking Glass”

Manchester art-rock quartet Weimar present the single ‘I Smashed The Looking Glass’, a surreal upbeat rock number enhanced by psychedelic effects, exploring such themes of identity crisis and the interrelationship between the artist’s true self and their public persona.

This is the latest taster from the band’s debut album ‘Dancing On a Volcano’ – 12 tracks that were three years in the making, which take the listener on an unpredictable excursion through the socio-political and personal challenges of our modern age.

Weimar (pronounced Vy-marr) is a four-piece made up of vocalist/ guitarist / songwriter Aidan Cross (The Bacillus, Black Light Mutants), bassist John Armstrong (The Speed Of Sound), drummer Anthony ‘Eddy’ Edwards (The Deceased) and guitarist Stephen Sarsen (Frank Is Dead, Playground).

“Thematically, this song is a response to Kraftwerk’s classic ‘The Hall Of Mirrors’, which explored how an artist’s true self is distorted and eventually lost in the creation of an ideal persona. ‘I Smashed The Looking Glass’ is it’s spiritual sequel, exploring the artist’s escape from the trappings of such a persona, a significant challenge in an age of cult icons and social media performity,” says frontman Aidan Cross.

Cynical and sardonic, but also optimistic and hopeful, this song features a special guest appearance from the legendary Loop-Aznavour of Adventures of Salvador (Weimar’s German Shepherd Records labelmates) on theremin, enhancing the psychedelic effects that soundtrack the narrator’s identity crisis and subsequent triumph over adversity.

Weimar recently previewed lead single ‘Soho Rain’ featuring Leeds artist Finola, dedicated to London’s old seedy Soho district, its dying culture and the many artistic and cultural movements that emerged there. Other themes explored on this album include gentrification and cultural erosion, unsavoury characters masquerading as respectable public figures, the grit beneath the glamour, the contrast between polished façades and the decadence within.

Through a maelstrom of musical styles and influences, this album paints a brutal and honest picture of human nature and culture in the 2020s. Earlier this year, Weimar also released the 2-track single ‘The Girls of LA’ with B-side ‘Transatlantic Confusion’.

Embracing post-punk to no wave, cabaret, psychedelia, alternative folk and gothic rock, all blended in a distinctive fusion, this album was produced by Adam Crossley and Chris Guest of Vibratone Sound Studio. The cover art was created by acclaimed artist and writer Brian Gorman.

Since forming in 2016, Louder Than War named Weimar amongst its 50 Bands To Watch for 2019, the year they debuted the single ‘John Doe / Curse the Songs’, followed by ‘Marvel To The State / Undesirable Master’. Having worked with legendary post-punk producer Simon ‘Ding’ Archer, they’ve also played with Tom Hingley (Inspiral Carpets) and goth legends Skeletal Family.

‘Dancing On A Volcano’ LP is out now, available everywhere digitally via German Shepherd Records, including Spotify, Apple Music and Bandcamp. It was also released on CD and can be ordered directly from the artist.

-Official bio