SLOW CRUSH: Saxophones, Shoegaze, and the Art of the Unexpected

A rainy Sunday evening in Nottingham seems like the perfect backdrop, for not only a live show from Belgian shoegaze stalwarts SLOW CRUSH, but for a chance to sit down and talk with vocalist ISA HOLLIDAY to talk about their latest album Thirst, the unexpected but welcome addition of a saxophone, and the emotional weight of touring across continents. What unfolded was a candid conversation about creativity, exhaustion, and the ever-evolving sound of one of shoegaze’s most compelling bands.

We met with ISA, who opened up about the making of their latest album, Thirst, a record that doesn’t just mark a new chapter, but encapsulates everything SLOW CRUSH has ever done. For the band, the creative process wasn’t driven by a single influence. Instead, it was shaped by years of lived experience. “I think it's just like all of the experiences we've built up throughout the years,” she reflects. “As with everything that we do, a lot of emotions and just experience lead to our music, whether it's in the sound or the themes behind the albums. And I think this one is really an album that covers everything that SLOW CRUSH has ever done, but also brings new aspects to it. So, yeah, it's not really like there's one main influence, it’s just the influence of life itself.”

The writing process for Thirst began almost immediately after Hush was released. Some ideas were already forming while that album was still being finalised. But with nonstop touring, the band had little time to sit down and shape those ideas. “We just kind of gathered everything together and had to chew the fat at some point,” ISA explains. “We got the songs that really meshed together and felt right at the time.” Eventually, they carved out time to step back from live shows and focus on the album. “We knew we had something special, but it was just needing some finishing touches and just perfection to make it all studio ready,” ISA says. “We needed the time to polish off the songs and then learn all the songs so that they're all muscle memory for when we go in the studio.” 

That moment came in the Autumn, when the band hit The Ranch with producer Lewis Johns and brought Thirst to life. One of the album’s most surprising elements came from Lewis himself. “We had the track, all of the guitar parts and vocals were down,” ISA recalls. “And then he was like, ‘You know what? I've just got this idea in my head... a saxophone.’ We were like, oh, that sounds very odd. He said, ‘I'll just put it on a keyboard and then play it back to you and see what you think.’” ISA and guitarist JELLE RONSMANS were the only ones in the studio at the time, but they were intrigued. “We really dug it,” Isa says. “But thought maybe we should send a video to the rest of the guys and see if they agree. Everyone loved it. It was a very out-of-the-box idea that you wouldn't think would fit. But then again, there are other great bands with saxophone and a lot of effects. So if they can do it, so can SLOW CRUSH.”

When it comes to favourite tracks on the album, ISA finds it hard to choose. “Covet is a great one, the saxophone brings an extra level to it. It was unexpected, but it fits so well. While You Dream Vividly is just laden with a lot of feelings. Haven is great because it exposes a different timbre in my voice that I don't usually touch upon. And yeah, Thirst is also really great.”

Touring for SLOW CRUSH has been intense. “It's kind of crazy to think about it,” ISA says. “We look at it like, we've only got three more shows in the UK. And then we remember,, we're only back home for one night then we're off again for Europe.” The band has been on the road for two and a half months, and while it’s energising, it’s also exhausting. “We love seeing the people at the shows and feeling the energy that comes back to us. So it's great. It's been really, really good.” Some shows have stood out more than others. “California is always really good for us, so the show in LA was special,” ISA says. “In the UK, it's always good to catch up with old friends and family. The Ireland shows were also great. That was our second time in Northern Ireland and Ireland. And with this package, it's awesome because we're touring with friends, SOM and Blanket. We've played with them before and they're great guys.”

Touring the US came with its own set of challenges. “There was already chaos, but the extreme chaos probably happened while we were already out there,” ISA explains. “When you're on tour, you're just in a bubble. You don't have time to turn on the TV, so you don't see what's going on in the world. We were just hearing bits and bobs, but not really seeing the entire story.” Despite the chaos, the venues offered a sense of unity. “Everyone's there to enjoy music and have fun. And generally, the people there look after each other, which is something you can't always see when you're outside.” But the visa process was gruelling. “It's always a struggle to get a Visa,” ISA says. “The process seems to be longer and more expensive. It cost us an arm and a leg, which is extremely unfair, seeing as the other way around, not a penny needs to be spent. For us, it was like 10 grand just to get a one-year visa. And next year we've got to do it all over again. It’ll still take nine to 12 months to get approval. It's ridiculous. But what can you do?”

As for what’s been playing in the van, when driving between cities, ISA admits it’s been quiet. “I can't say I'm listening to anything extremely new or anything at all in the van. But the new GREET DEATH album is amazing. We've been talking to them for a long time about doing something together. The stars haven’t aligned yet, but hopefully soon.” Influences shift, but some artists keep returning, ISA tells us of her inspirations “Something unexpected maybe, you probably hear a little bit of influence on the vocals but THE JAPANESE HOUSE. We've used some of those effects in Hush and also on Thirst. ART SCHOOL GIRLFRIEND as well. Totally different vibes.”

When asked to describe their music in three words, ISA pauses. “Dreamy. Heavy. Balanced? Maybe balanced. We're trying to sort of create that yin-yang effect. I think that's the most important thing. Our music is sort of a 4D experience. It embraces you. To do that, it has to be balanced. It has to give you both the ups and the downs, to have that full 360 effect.” We don’t think you could find a more perfect description of the music SLOW CRUSH creates if you tried. 

As the rain continued to fall outside the venue, casting a poetic soft blur over Nottingham’s streets, SLOW CRUSH’s music found its perfect setting. Thirst is shining proof of the band’s fearless creativity and their skill at crafting soundscapes that envelop and resonate. Whether it’s the unexpected saxophone or the emotional weight of touring, ISA HOLLIDAY and her bandmates have proven that growth doesn’t mean abandoning your roots, it means deepening them. As they head out for the final leg of the album release tour in Europe, there is without a doubt SLOW CRUSH will keep pushing the boundaries of music, one reverb-soaked note at a time.

Thirst was released on August 29th 2025 via Pure Noise Records. 

Words: Lou Viner-Flood

Photos: Slow Crush / Good as Gold PR