The Glass Hours are American songwriters Megan Barbera and Brad Armstrong. Combining influences from Megan’s Colorado mountain roots and Brad’s Birmingham, AL southern roots, the Americana/Country Folk duo met in New York’s Hudson Valley in Summer 2022 and began writing and performing together immediately. They recorded their first album the following spring.
Their self-titled debut album was released by Cornelius Chapel Records in March 2024, and several songs from the album were featured by Americana UK, The Bluegrass Situation and Americana Highways. The duo was invited to play NYC’s Underwater Sunshine Festival, an annual music showcase curated by Adam Duritz, lead singer for Counting Crows. From there, they self-booked two national tours in 2024 and began writing their second album while on tour in the West.
The Glass Hours second album, Chapel Glass, was recorded in November 2024 at Dial Back Sound in Water Valley, MS (release date TBA). Chapel Glass was co-produced, engineered and mixed by Clay Jones (Al Green, Modest Mouse.) and includes Matt Patton (Drive-by Truckers, Laura Jane Grace) on bass, Jason Lucia (Blue Mountain, Galactic Engineers) on drums, Baxter Arender on keys, and a guest appearance by Taylor Hollingsworth (Dead Fingers, Conor Oberst and the Mystic Valley Band).
"Brad Armstrong sings like Richard Buckner at a closed-casket viewing.” — Pitchfork
“Megan Barbera’s songwriting is arrestingly intimate.” — Examiner
Hi-Res Download - photo credits Braden Chattman
Like much of the work they’ve done in their respective solo careers, the new album dances between this and that, drinking from the wells of Gram Parsons and Emmylou Harris, Steve Earle and Lucinda Williams.
The songs go where they want to go; Brad and Megan simply try to stay out of the way. Although it is nearly impossible, in this new world of niche artistry, not to pick a genre camp and pitch a tent, The Glass Hours seem intent on trying. Yet, there is a thread that ties the whole thing together, and that is the constant tension and tapestry of their voices harmonizing. Every song on both albums was written with the idea of this harmony and interaction, point and counterpoint, between two voices trying to come together as one.
“Barbera has written a perfectly crafted melancholy song.” — Indie Music
“Armstrong delivers stories infused with rock n roll poetry and grit.”— Americana UK
Hi-Res Download - photo credits Braden Chattman
Prior to this project, Megan and Brad have written, performed and recorded for various independent projects. Their solo work has been recognized and reviewed by Pitchfork, San Francisco Bay Guardian, Paste, No Depression, Vice Magazine, International Songwriting Competition, John Lennon Songwriting Contest, among others. Megan’s songs have been licensed worldwide to brands such as Naturalizer Shoes and San Miguel Beverage Co. Brad was a member of Alabama’s Dexateens, 13ghosts and Maria Taylor’s touring band and has supported Jason Isbell, Alabama Shakes, Drive-By Truckers, John Moreland, Meat Puppets, Magnolia Electric Company and Azure Ray among many others.
“Graceful DIY folk that incorporates ramshackle blues (and) slow dancing country.” — Uncut
“Harmonious song cycles playing side by side, successfully challenging conventional notions of album cohesion.” — San Francisco Bay Guardian
“Long after the listener has shut off their stereo, its lush layers and lyrical details can be found loitering around in the most unexpected areas of the psyche.” — Examiner
