Hyperpop artist glaive dishes on his musical firsts - from the first song he made that "sucked" to the 6th grade performance that kicked it all off.

Dubbed ‘the future of hyperpop’, North Carolina artist, glaive, is making earworm, OTT-production music that’s making quickly racking up millions of streams.

 

Debuting just last year with the single “life is pain”, glaive (AKA Ash Guiterrez) went on to drop a handful of singles before sharing his debut EP, ‘cypress grove’ in the autumn. Continuing the momentum, the young singer, songwriter and producer dropped three singles this year – “cloak n dagger” with eric doa, “i wanna slam my head against the wall” and “what was the last thing u said” with aldn. Now, he’s gearing up to release sophomore EP ‘all dogs go to heaven’, out later this spring.

 

Balancing his rapidly climbing music career with school studies (via Zoom), glaive is part of the current hyperpop gold rush coming out of teenage bedrooms around the world. Having signed with Interscope / Polydor late last year, 2021 will no doubt be a huge year for the musical prodigy as he continues to show us what he’s made of.

 

Notion caught up with glaive to hear about his musical firsts. Jump in!

First song you ever made?

It was called “lamb to the slaughter”. It was a pretty bad emo rap song. Looking back it sucked but at the time I thought it was the best music ever. 

First song you released officially?

“life is pain”. Produced by me.

First CD or record you owned?

I don’t think I’ve ever owned a CD or record but the first song I bought on iTunes was ‘The Best Damn Thing (Expanded Edition)’ by Avril Lavigne.

First time you realised you wanted to be a musician?

I did a talent show for my band class in 6th grade and I got an adrenaline feeling from doing it. 

First gig you went to?

I’ve never been to a concert.

First festival you went to and the first one you performed at?

I haven’t done either… yet.

First instrument you owned?

I played clarinet in middle school band but my band director made me do percussion instead because I sucked.

First time you felt like giving up?

Deep question. So far musically I’ve been good. Up ’till now I’ve been pretty cool.

First time you felt starstruck?

Every single day of my LA trip. I saw Lil Yachty yesterday. Meeting Travis Barker. 

First time you heard your song playing somewhere?

I heard it when I walked into this random thrift store.

Listen to "what was the last thing u said" by glaive and aldn below: