Swords

4 months ago

The Dublin band Swords have released a new video for their Tidal Waves album track ‘Battles’ in support of Pieta House.

“We wrote this song about the feeling that hits you when getting out of bed feels like heading to the trenches. Like you have to fight an invisible enemy, and win, just to stay afloat and stay ‘normal’. This takes a lot of energy, and can make you feel like you’re crazy.”

All proceeds from the song will go to Pieta House. The band are also asking that people donate at Pieta.ie.

The video was directed by Crooked Gentlemen at the Sean O’ Casey Theatre in East Wall Dublin.

Posted on December 12th, 2017

Artists: Swords

About 1 year ago

Diane Anglim (vocals & piano), Jarlath Canning (bass, guitars & synth) and Ian Frawley (drums) are the musicians that make up Swords.

The band’s 2013 debut Lions & Gold established a melodic synthesizer-lead rock style but for their followup Tidal Waves is a leaner, more considered record with songwriting up a notch on previous. Lead singles ‘Betty Machete’ and ‘The Letter’ typify the new approach. The former has the simplicity of an upbeat nursery rhyme and a sparse rhythm to boot while the latter is a lullaby love song addressing the fallout of a relationship on one-side.

Much of Tidal Waves falls between the two styles. Produced by experienced Karl Odlum and mastered by Grammy winner Mandy Parnell (Bjork’s Biophilia), the dominant arrangements are piano chords, drums, bass and Anglim’s emotive register. That stripped-back setup allows the songs to breathe and they sustain in impact for longer. Have a listen to Tidal Waves ahead of Friday’s release.

Swords play a headline show at The Workmans Club, Dublin on November 11th 2016 to celebrate the launch of Tidal Waves. Tickets for the show are €12.50.

Tidal Waves is available Friday everywhere digitally including iTunes.

Posted on October 26th, 2016

Artists: Swords

About 1 year ago

Swords have followed up their excellent last single ‘Betty Machete’ from forthcoming album Tidal Waves (October 28th) with ‘The Letter’.

The new song from Diane Anglim (vocals & piano), Jarlath Canning (bass, guitars & synth) and Ian Frawley (drums), is a solemn lullaby-style song about one-way dialogue about not being able to erase past actions and letting things be.

Tidal Waves was produced by producer Karl Odlum (The Frames, Gemma Hayes, Mic Christopher, Ham Sandwich), and Mastered by Grammy winning engineer Mandy Parnell (Feist, Bjork, The xx, Sigur Ros, Tame Impala).

The album will be launched at at The Workmans Club, Dublin on November 11th 2016. Tickets for the show are €12.50

The Letter is available digitally on:

iTunes / Spotify / Google Play.

Posted on September 7th, 2016

Artists: Swords

About 1 year ago

The Dublin band Swords have a new album due this winter called Tidal Waves and after hearing their new track ‘Betty Machete’, I’m super excited about hearing more of it.

Diane Anglim (vocals & piano), Jarlath Canning (bass, guitars & synth) and Ian Frawley (drums) have been working with Karl Odlum on the followup to their 2013 debut Lion & Gold and ‘Betty Machete’ is one of those songs that makes an immediate impression with its bright melodic hook and short drum-propelled spacious rhythm. The band say it’s indicative of “a more considered approach to writing, live recording methods, sparse arrangements and a fuller, more organic sound.”

The song was mastered by Grammy winning engineer Mandy Parnell (Feist, Bjork, The xx, Sigur Ros, Tame Impala).

The song is on Spotify | Google Play | iTunes.

Posted on July 20th, 2016

Artists: Swords

About 2 years ago

Groove Festival takes place in Killruddery House, Co. Wicklow on Saturday 2nd & Sunday 3rd July (same weekend as Castlepalooza), and while the headliners aimed at an older audience than most with the likes of The Blades, The 4 of Us, Ocean Colour Scene and Neville Staple Band playing, Turning Pirate have put together a stage of newer acts worth checking out.

The Hop House 13stage will feature sets from David Kitt, TooFools, Sample Answer, Planet Parade, The Young Folk, Barq, Zaska, Swords and Anderson among them.

The Academic and Elm are also playing the main stage. Tickets from €49.50 for a day pass + fees.

More info on the festival at the Groove site.