The Glass Hours are American songwriters Brad Armstrong and Megan Barbera. Their music blurs between Sunday afternoon country-folk and the Golden Age of the 1970s. Their self-titled nine-song debut album was released by Cornelius Chapel Records in March 2024.
"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, Tom Waits and Lucinda Williams. With the exception of Sue Westcott (fiddle), the album was written, performed, recorded and produced by Brad and Megan in Brad’s Hudson Valley home studio in Red Hook, New York.
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 The Glass Hours 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
Combining influences from Megan’s mountain roots and Brad’s southern roots, The Glass Hours is currently based in New York’s Hudson Valley. Prior to now, Megan and Brad have written, performed and recorded for various independent projects. 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.
Hi-Res Download - photo credits Braden Chattman
“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
