Swish are currently working on their third studio LP 'A Life Long Winter', which is the follow-up album to the bands acclaimed sophomore effort, 'Emergency Lights'. The new LP is currently due for a september 2008 release.
Far from the mainstream, Swish is as indie as it gets with only a handfull of supporters dotted around the globe... But then, that's fine, as Swish is a band that craves no profit or particular notion of fame... It's just music for music's sake... The satisfaction of knowing that someone, somewhere in the world is listening to and enjoying these songs is enough reward for all involved. Thus, all the band's releases are linked by two common facts
1: They're given away for free
2: They're extemely limited in numbers. Which is great, as the band has come to hate promotion!!
In may 2006 Swish officially got the ball rolling by releasing a single entitled 'Like Ian Curtis', which was given out to friends, family and local supporters of the band. The response was great, and led to a round of catcalls for a follow up. In july 2006 the band released 'Copycat / Starfall' as a double A-side single, this time trying their hand at an online release. The experience was unexpectedly successfull, and the single recieved good feedback making the band realize that there could be a small but viable project in the offering.
Swish set about working properly on an album, and also setting up a hub of communications via Myspace. In October 2006, third single 'I'm So Sorry' was released to mass acclaim and promptly became Swish's biggest hit to date. It had become clear, however, that the proposed 'Emergency Lights' album wasn't going to be ready in time for it's scheduled winter release date, so it was cancelled in favour of another album comprising of more experimental songs that the band had been toying with. The replacement album 'Thousand Fathoms Under' was released on 11th December 2006 and was preceeded by another single, this time in the form of the opinion-dividing epic 'Closer'. The album met with indifferent reviews, as is perhaps fitting of it's status as a last moment stop-gap album, but it certainly showed promise.
The early months of 2007 were spent knuckling down in the studio laying down the tracks that would finally make up the band's much delayed 'Emergency Lights' LP. To bridge the gap and keep things ticking over, Swish released the ill-advised non-album uber-pop single 'British Railways' in March, a move which the band are regretfull of, and now view as something of a nadier not to be repeated.
In May 2007 the band rebounded with 'Great Gatsby', the first single from the future album. It proved a small success, selling out in it's CD format and taking a decent amount of hits online. With mixing wrapped up and everything ready to roll, Swish finally released the direct lead off single for the new album in the guise of 'Photobooth'. The single was released at the end of July as a limited edition CD only, and sold out in the pre-order stage prooving that Swish had indeed become a success within the limits that they set themselves.
On 17th September 2007, Swish released 'Emergency Lights', a ten track rumination on death and dispair. The album mixed stabs of pop punk with gothic slices of stark melancholy to good effect. This time around, the record was recieved warmly and garnered some good reviews, which was a big relief for the band.
Far from resting on whatever laurels the band might have obtained, the very next month after 'Emergency Lights' they were back in the studio recording tracks for their third LP entitled 'A Life Long Winter'. The sessions were dark and isolated, but proved to be very prolific. The band rounded off 2007 by releasing the semi-secret download only 'Ravens' single, the first tune to arrive out of the still ongoing sessions.
The limited edition albums 'Emergency Lights' and 'Thousand Fathoms Under' have both been released in a CD format. 'Emergency Lights' includes the singles 'Great Gatsby' and 'Photobooth', whilst 'Thousand Fathoms Under' includes the singles 'I'm So Sorry' and 'Closer'. The albums (which are free) can be ordered now, just send Swish a message.
