Rewriting the rulebook on the American shoegaze renaissance, Glixen crushes preconceptions with a sound that’s punishingly heavy and strangely intimate all at once. Tipping their hat to influences like My Bloody Valentine, Smashing Pumpkins, and Hum, the band delivers something intense, introspective, and ethereal. I imagine it as a wall of noise that threatens to swallow you whole while lulling you into a euphoric dream.
After their early set on Day 1 of Riot Fest 2026, I caught up with Glixen guitarist Esteban Santana and vocalist/guitarist Aislinn Ritchie.
We discussed touring, festival aesthetics, and the mystery of gatekeepers. Plus, an impromptu run-in with GWAR threw the whole conversation for a loop.
Coop: First off, killer set! The absolute best way to kick off Riot Fest. How does your festival set compare to your tour stops?
Esteban: Just the dynamics are very different, I think. I mean, obviously, the shows we play on our own tours end up feeling a little more intimate. Not exactly casual, but a different kind of intimacy. I love both, though. I really like doing festivals.
Aislinn: I feel like we’re still really new to the festival life, too. Like, it’s just really crazy to be playing in front of people who are like, “You guys really came to us this early?” I think that’s really surprising to hear sometimes.
Coop: It is kind of weird to hear shoegaze being played at noon. So needless to say, your own shows are going to be more atmospheric.
Esteban: (laughs)
Aislinn: Yeah!
Coop: How important are the visuals and aesthetics to your shows?
Aislinn: I think it’s super important! I love the white lights, strobes, and the fog. I like being inside because I want it to feel like a crazy party. Just what you would think of for a rock show, you know?
Esteban: And we do some of that in a festival setting too, but not having that also makes up for it in a different way. Like you’re seeing an artist on a bigger stage, there’s a lot of room for them to express themselves.
Aislinn: I feel like you’re getting to showcase your music more at a festival, where the shows are more about performance.
Coop: With the resurgence of shoegaze with the current generation, do you ever get tired of being asked who your influences are?
Esteban: (laughs)
Aislinn: No. I mean, I think it’s kind of obvious who our influences are anyway!
*About this time, GWAR walks into the press area and crashes our conversation.
Coop: And… Gwar has just walked in, and they’re probably going to beat us up.
Aislinn: I’m sorry! (laughs) staring at the over-the-top spectacle of the Gwar entourage
Blothar The Berserker: Where are the drugs? We were told there were drugs here.
Aislinn: Oh my God! (laughs)
Esteban: (laughs)
Blothar The Berserker: What is going on over here? What are we congregating for?
Coop: Uh, this is Glixen. We’re planning to overthrow Riot Fest if given the perfect opportunity.
Blothar The Berserker: I highly doubt that. This scene sucks.
*GWAR exits the conversation.
Aislinn: Wow. (laughs)
Coop: Well now…
Esteban: That was…
Coop: Seeing you guys are always getting asked about your influences, what if I recommend a shoegaze band to you?
Esteban: Oh yes, please do!
Aislinn: Yes!
Coop: How about The Lees Of Memory?
Aislinn: Ooh, are they newer?
Coop: It’s modern, yeah, but they have a few records out over the years. Their first one, Sisyphus Says, is very My Bloody Valentine-esque.
Aislinn: I will definitely check them out! writes name in notes
Coop: Why do you feel shoegaze is experiencing a renaissance anyway?
Esteban: I think it’s just all part of the revival of ’90s music. We saw the whole thing with grunge come back around. But I think there’s a huge appeal in relating to the message and feeling the shoegaze sound.
Aislinn: I just think kids just want to rock out to something that isn’t what they’re used to. They want to go to shows with music that just hits you as that sound does.
Coop: When you guys work on music, do you think about it in a way where you know you gotta play it live, or is it just get it out there and then figure out that aspect later?
Aislinn: I think both.
Esteban: We’ll be sitting in the room writing and just playing through the amps so loud and think to yourself, “Ah, now this is gonna be soooo cool.” But that’s not always what pops up, but when it does, it can feel pretty special.
Coop: Seeing as you’re a younger band, have you experienced any gatekeepers in the shoegaze field?
Esteban: Totally, but I think it goes with any genre, really. To me, it’s funny because I don’t understand how someone would want to keep others away from something cool or something they might get joy from.
Coop: Are you guys gonna try to check out any other bands while you’re here?
Aislinn: I wanted to catch Fleshwater!
Coop: Ooh, I think they’re finishing up now. Now I feel really bad that you chose to chat with me instead of seeing Fleshwater!
Aislinn: Oh, that’s okay! We’ll get to check them out another time! I wanna see the Pixies while we’re here for sure, though!
Esteban: And Iggy Pop! He’s on tonight, right?
Coop: Dude, I’m so stoked to see Iggy tonight because I feel like we don’t know how many more opportunities we’ll get.
Aislinn: (laughs)
Esteban: That’s true, that’s true!
Coop: I mean, I say that, and he’ll probably outlive all of us.
Esteban: Oh, he’s gonna outlive all of us, definitely!
Coop: What’s next for Glixen?
Aislinn: We’re writing a new album while we’re not touring. That will be next spring, probably? And that’s nice, because we’ve been touring nonstop for like 3 years to get to this point.
Coop: I just want to say thanks for taking the time to hang with me, and I’m looking forward to catching you guys out there on your own date!
Esteban: Thank you! Yes!
Aislinn: Hell yes. Thank you so much for having us!
Coop: Enjoy the rest of the show. Sorry about missing Fleshwater, but we’ll see you at Iggy!
Aislinn: Thank you!
Photography by Oscar De Leon. Check out the full Riot Fest 2026 recap here.