By Eddie Jorgensen

San Diego’s Glass Spells had been booked as support for Missing Persons at Harlow’s in early February, but the entire show was sadly canceled with little-to-no notice. Although Glass Spells’ live schedule in 2024 is scant at best, Sacramentans will be pleased to know we’re getting one of only two shows slated in March (the other is in Santa Cruz).

Led by core members Anthony Ramirez on bass and synthesizer and Tania Costello on vocals, the live line-up for Glass Spells also includes Michael Buehl on drums. The band is a veritable headliner throughout California, even playing the sold-out Darker Waves festival in Huntington Beach last November with New Order, Tears for Fears, B-52’s, Devo, Soft Cell and Echo & The Bunnymen.

Glass Spells is a collective known for playing a heady mix of electronic music steeped in the tradition of 80’s fare and punk while managing to include songs that are sung in both English and Spanish. Dubbed part of the Brown Wave, their sound and style refers to their Mexican heritage while separating themselves from the much larger New Wave diaspora without sounded dated or derivative.

And while it took some time to find the perfect line-up, the group underwent some personnel changes before ultimately releasing its “Mirrors” and “Night Hour” singles. Both were included on the 5-song EP, ‘Mirrors.’ Their only full-length album, ‘Shattered,’ was consequently released in August 2021 and is a must-have for new wave fans of any persuasion.

Glass Spell’s Spanish-speaking fans will likely find great reward in the “Hechizos” single released last November just in time for their Darker Waves festival appearance.

Glass Spells and its opener, Pan Roosky, play Friday, March 29 at Goldfield Trading Post in Downtown Sacramento. Doors open at 7 p.m. and the show kicks off promptly at 8 p.m. Tickets can be purchased at www.goldfieldtradingpost.com for $20 advance or take your chances at the door. Come dressed in black and ready to dance. All ages are welcome. The Sacramento Goldfield’s is located at 1630 J Street.