Today we’d like to introduce you to Matthew Grodus.
Matthew, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
We are beachglass, a 4-piece midwest emo outfit from Grand Rapids, MI.
We are slightly new to the West Michigan music scene – our band has been around for just over a year. However, each of our members have been in multiple bands over the course of the last 20 years or so. We love music and love our community! Comprised of veteran musicians, we want to do everything that we can to positively build positive, lasting connections to support others within our community. We love to feature other artists during our sets and highlight events, artists, venues, and successes within our local artist community.
We are a band of people who just really love music. We are choosing to make time for music despite having busy lives. It is fun, freeing, and cathartic.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
As a band and collective, we have experienced the usual struggles that come with being in a band. It can be technically difficult to write, record, and go through the process of releasing music. It can cost a lot of money, energy, and time. Booking shows can be difficult at times – in ways – as well.
We have a unique struggle in that all our members are 30 years of age or more. We are choosing to be in a band during the later years in life, as we are no longer in our teens and 20’s. This brings its own unique set of struggles, as we have members that own houses, have children, and are working to run their own companies / make a living for themselves. Some of our members are working on making big career changes by working and taking university classes at the same time. Navigating these items in conjunction with being in a band can be tricky. Time, energy, and resources such as money are all precious to those that are in their 30’s – including those in this project. This is not a major setback though, as music is molded by experiences. Many people pass through seasons of stress and reinvention of self. There are themes and experiences that we are able to explore that are relatable and real to people of all ages. We want to write and craft music that is relatable and authentic, as well as thought provoking.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
We write, record, and perform music!
The beachglass sound bridges eras: pulling from the confessional grit of early 2000’s emo while weaving in the bright, intricate textures of modern Midwest emo, alongside touches of pop punk energy. The result is a dynamic, melodic style that feels both nostalgic and forward-moving – equally at home in a basement show or a packed venue. We want to bring a seasoned perspective to a genre rooted in raw emotion and DIY ethos – blending technical precision with heartfelt authenticity.
At the core of beachglass is a commitment to community. Whether it’s highlighting fellow musicians, promoting shows, or supporting the venues that keep scenes alive, beachglass approaches music as something bigger than themselves. For us, success isn’t just measured in streams or stages—it’s found in building something lasting with the people around them, one show at a time.
We love surprises, fun facts and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
We are about to add another member! There is a guitar player that we will be adding soon. We have not made the news official as of yet though. It is something to look forward to, as it will affect our band family, sound, and influence on community. We will have another head, heart, and perspective to partner with us on our mission to make a lasting, positive impact in our community!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://linktr.ee/beachglassmi
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beachglassmi
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/beachglassmi
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKZH1B9Zv0lX8S7pclXOEXw
Image Credits
Kayla McLean took all photos.
www.kaylamclean.com
Instagram: kaylamclean.photo
