Shallow Pools (stylized as shallow pools) is an American indie pop band based in Boston, Massachusetts. The band has four members, drummer Ali Ajemian, lead vocalist Glynnis Brennan, guitarist Jess Gromada and bassist Haley Senft.
shallow pools | |
|---|---|
 Shallow pools performing at State Theater in Portland, Maine, 2022, by Mac Praed | |
| Background information | |
| Origin | Boston, Massachusetts, U.S. |
| Genres | |
| Years active | 2018–present |
| Labels | ESI, Equal Vision |
| Members |
|
| Website | shallowpools |
Career
editOrigin
editFriends since middle school, Jess Gromada and Glynnis Brennan befriended Ali Ajemian once they entered high school. They all loved playing music together and started by playing acoustic cover songs in 2012, originally under the name Patella Talk; before deciding in 2016 to begin writing their own music under the name Self Titled, before ultimately choosing to begin releasing under the name shallow pools in 2018.[1][2]
Shortly after deciding on the name, they met songwriter and producer Chris Curran, who helped to shape the sound and direction of the new project.[citation needed] In July 2019, Haley Senft joined the band as a live bassist exclusively before becoming an official member later that year.[citation needed]
Spring - EP & Singles (2018–2020)
editThe band expressed their desire to "promote inclusivity" and to "create a safe space for listeners to express themselves through their music."[3] With their message, they released their debut single as shallow pools, "It's A You Thing.", in July 2018,[4] followed by "Sinking" in August of that same year.[5]
On March 8, 2019, the band's debut EP Spring, was released. The EP was met with praise, with Alt Corner commenting on Glynnis' "emotive vocals" and the songs "deliciously melodic choruses".[6]
The quartet went on to release four singles throughout 2020: "Haunted", "Bloom", "Afterlight" and "Turnaround".[7][8][9][10]
headspace EP (2021)
editThe band began 2021 by releasing new music through ESI Records, marking a new era for the band, and put out a single on January 15, 2021, titled "ice water" with a music video released the same day.[11] This release is a notable contrast from their earlier work; the band noting that the coming releases are "a departure from the music we’ve made in the past, but it’s the perfect bridge between our old and new sound."[12]
On February 19, 2021, the second single was released, titled "glow", with another official music video.[13]
On March 26, 2021, the third single was released, titled "nothing new", with another official music video.[14]
On April 30, 2021, the fourth single was released, titled "it's alright", with another official music video.[15]
On June 4, 2021, headspace EP was released along with the fifth and final single, titled "gardens", with another official music video.[16]
Signing to Equal Vision (2022)
editIn November 2022 the band signed to Equal Vision Records and released a new single, "Say What You Want".
Personal lives
editAll four members are active politically and socially engaged. They are all advocates for LGBTQ equality, as well as members of the community themselves.[17]
In 2020, the band created a t-shirt inspired by their single "Turnaround", and donated all proceeds to the Marsha P. Johnson Institute, which defends and protects the rights of black transgender people.[18]
Band members
editCurrent members
edit- Ali Ajemian – drums
- Glynnis Brennan – lead vocals
- Jess Gromada – guitar
- Haley Senft – bass
Musical style
editShallow Pools' musical style has been described as indie pop and glimmer pop, and has cited as musical and career influences Lights, Fickle Friends and Dua Lipa.[19]
Discography
editExtended plays
edit- Spring, (2019)
- headspace, (2021)
- daydreaming, (2022)
Singles
edit| Title | Year | Album |
|---|---|---|
| "It's A You Thing." | 2018 | Spring |
| "Sinking" | ||
| "Haunted" | 2020 | |
| "Bloom" | ||
| "Afterlight" | ||
| "Turnaround" | ||
| "ice water" | 2021 | headspace |
| "glow" | ||
| "nothing new" | ||
| "it's alright" | ||
| "gardens" | ||
| "everything is fine" | 2022 | |
| "circles (feat. Trey Miller of Cherie Amour)" | 2022 | |
| "bitter" | 2022 | daydreaming |
| "wildflower" | ||
| "everything is fine" | ||
| "circles (feat. Trey Miller of Cherie Amour)" | ||
| "heavy on my heart" |
Music videos
edit| Title | Year | Director | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|
| "It's A You Thing." | 2018 | Ali Ajemian and Andrew Young | [20] |
| "haunted" | 2020 | Burke Cullinane | [21] |
| "turnaround" | [22] | ||
| "ice water" | 2021 | Mercedes Arn-Horn | [23] |
| "glow" | [24] | ||
| "nothing new" | 2021 | Dana Verdecchio | [25] |
| "it's alright" | [26] | ||
| "gardens" | [27] | ||
| "Everything is Fine" | 2022 | Dana Verdecchio and Ali Ajemian |
Awards and nominations
edit| Year | Recipient/work | Award | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | shallow pools | New Artist of the Year | Nominated | [28] |
| 2021 | shallow pools | Pop Artist of the Year | Nominated | |
| 2021 | shallow pools | Album/EP of the Year (headspace) | Nominated | |
| 2021 | shallow pools | Song of the Year (ice water) | Nominated |
References
edit- ^ Stitched Sound (14 September 2019)"https://stitchedsound.com/interview-with-shallow-pools/" Stitched Sound. Retrieved 20 February 2021
- ^ vanyaland (24 May 2019) "https://vanyaland.com/2019/05/24/studio-52-featured-band-of-the-week-shallow-pools/" vanyaland. Retrieved 20 February 2021
- ^ White, Logan (9 January 2020) "https://substreammagazine.com/2020/01/premiere-shallow-pools-haunted/" Substream Magazine. Retrieved 20 February 2021
- ^ Howell, Kailey (13 July 2018) "https://resurgetmag.com/2018/07/13/shallow-pools-debut-single-its-a-you-thing/"Resurget Magazine. Retrieved 20 February 2021
- ^ Elicit Magazine (24 August 2018) "https://www.elicitmagazine.com/shallow-pools-sinking/"Elicit Magazine. Retrieved 20 February 2021
- ^ Biddlecombe, Brad (25 March 2019) "https://altcorner.com/reviews/shallow-pools-spring-ep-review/" Alt Corner. Retrieved 20 February 2021
- ^ White, Logan (9 January 2020) "https://substreammagazine.com/2020/01/premiere-shallow-pools-haunted/" Substream Magazine. Retrieved 20 February 2021
- ^ Jarod (14 February 2020) "https://volatileweekly.com/2020/02/shallow-pools-share-new-song-bloom/" Volatile Weekly. Retrieved 20 February 2021
- ^ Marotta, Michael (24 April 2020)"https://vanyaland.com/2020/04/24/shallow-pools-shine-through-pops-dark-side-afterlight/" Vanyaland. Retrieved 20 February 2021
- ^ Alt Press (16 June 2020) "https://www.altpress.com/features/shallow-pools-turnaround-video/#:~:text=Composed%20of%20drummer%20Ali%20Ajemian,for%20listeners%20to%20express%20themselves.%E2%80%9D" Alternative Press. Retrieved 20 February 2021
- ^ "shallow pools - ice water (Official Video)". YouTube. 14 January 2021. Retrieved February 20, 2021.
- ^ Marotta, Michael (15 January 2020) "https://vanyaland.com/2021/01/15/shallow-pools-confront-mental-health-and-quarantine-with-ice-water/" Vanyaland. Retrieved 20 February 2021
- ^ "shallow pools - glow (Official Video)". YouTube. 18 February 2021. Retrieved February 20, 2021.
- ^ "shallow pools - nothing new (Official Video)". YouTube. 25 March 2021. Retrieved March 26, 2021.
- ^ "shallow pools - it's alright (Official Video)". YouTube. 29 April 2021. Retrieved April 30, 2021.
- ^ "shallow pools - gardens (Official Video)". YouTube. 3 June 2021. Retrieved June 4, 2021.
- ^ Leah (14 August 2018) "https://music.allaccess.com/an-interview-with-the-alt-pop-rck-band-shallow-pools-on-their-newest-music-and-more/"All Access Music. Retrieved 20 February 2021
- ^ Alt Press (16 June 2020) "https://www.altpress.com/features/shallow-pools-turnaround-video/#:~:text=Composed%20of%20drummer%20Ali%20Ajemian,for%20listeners%20to%20express%20themselves.%E2%80%9D" Alternative Press. Retrieved 20 February 2021
- ^ Lisa (20 January 2021) "https://hauntedpublications.com/review-ice-water-by-shallow-pools/" Haunted Publications. Retrieved 20 February 2021
- ^ "shallow pools - It's A You Thing. (Official Music Video)". YouTube. 12 July 2018. Retrieved February 20, 2021.
- ^ "shallow pools - haunted (official music video)". YouTube. 8 January 2020. Retrieved February 20, 2021.
- ^ "shallow pools - turnaround (Official Music Video)". YouTube. 16 June 2020. Retrieved February 20, 2021.
- ^ "shallow pools - ice water (Official Video)". YouTube. 14 January 2021. Retrieved February 20, 2021.
- ^ "shallow pools - glow (Official Video)". YouTube. 18 February 2021. Retrieved February 20, 2021.
- ^ "shallow pools - nothing new (Official Video)". YouTube. 25 March 2021. Retrieved March 26, 2021.
- ^ "shallow pools - it's alright (Official Video)". YouTube. 29 April 2021. Retrieved April 30, 2021.
- ^ "shallow pools - gardens (Official Video)". YouTube. 3 June 2021. Retrieved June 4, 2021.
- ^ "Here are the nominees in the 2019 Boston Music Awards". September 20, 2019. Retrieved February 20, 2021.
