Finding a truly unique voice and perspective isn’t always an easy task. The way in which we connect to artists’ experiences can often bolster our love for and relationship with their music, though some topics aren’t as heavily explored as others, leaving those yearning for a specific personal connection having to dig deeper. Florida-native post-hardcore outfit GILT fill an incredibly important niche in that regard: identity. Identity confronted head on, through the lens of the band’s experiences, whose entire unit has been historically comprised of non-binary, transgender and genderfluid musicians.
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“I don’t think it is explored enough. A lot of artists will do [an indirect] song like ‘this is for this community’ … [artists who] want to start opening that door, it would help if they would walk through that door fully. You can talk about these things more in specific terms.” says vocalist Ash Stixx, who, as of 2021, puts their wonderfully emotive voice to many of the words and themes that lead songwriter/guitarist Tyler Fieldhouse writes. Stixx’s newfound position as singer wasn’t their first position in the band, however, as they initially began as drummer, when Fieldhouse still held the position of singer. “I originally joined as the drummer, and I had just graduated high school” says Stixx, continuing to detail the sudden and bold nature of their initial involvement with the band. “[I told my parents,] ‘I’m gonna be in a band’. Within two of three weeks of moving from where I was living to Florida, I immediately joined GILT.”
Since their inception, GILT have made quite the name for themselves, too. Soon to be embarking on a headline UK tour in June – their first ever overseas – the band have also worked closely with some of the most venerated names in the alternative scene. Producer/nightlife-frontman Hansel Romero produced their first EP with Stixx last year titled In Windows Through Mirrors, which garnered a highly positive review from us. Further, the band’s new EP, Conceit, contains some further scene pedigree, with vocal features from the likes of UnityTX’s Shaolin G and The Callous Daoboys’ Carson Pace, among others. Speaking on these connections and collaborations, Fieldhouse stated “[These are] people we know. Hansel we know because we met via business, [wanting to] work with a cool producer, and now we’re just friends who talk. … We played with The [Callous] Daoboys a million years ago and we’ve just kept up with them ever since. It was literally just texting Carson ‘hey do you wanna feature on our song’, ‘yeah sure, here’s the link’.”
So what’s next? With two EPs having been released this past year among tours, it’s clear the band are keeping themselves busy. With the recent departure of third core member and songwriter Tillie Komorney, the band may need some time to recalibrate. “The logical route is an LP.” says Fieldhouse, “We’ve done two EPs and they’ve both gone onto vinyl. Between the two of them it’s pressed into one full release. We should probably make a record, we have some ideas, [but it’s weird without] Tilly. [We might need] an incubation period while we figure some things out. We’re not going to throw random musicians in and be like ‘this is the band now’.”
As one of the most honest, hardworking and emotionally in-touch young bands out there right now, it’s surely no time until GILT take over the world. With two EPs and prospects for even more under the belt in just the last year alone, it seems they’re intent on getting there too. The band’s brand new EP, Conceit, was released last month via Smartpunk, and you can find the record here. For more on GILT, check out our review of their 2021 release In Windows, Through Mirrors. Further, make sure you catch them on tour in the UK this month, for which you can find tickets here, and view the official tour poster below. For all things GILT, post-hardcore and metal in general, keep it locked on Boolin Tunes.