The topic of this month's issue is the Deathly Hallows, which got me thinking. I was sitting alone in a deserted shopping mall the other day, evading some unsavory characters when I said to myself:
"Self. This is a perfect time to listen to some dreary, chaotic music to match the minds of those seekers of the Hallows."
Of course, I didn't answer myself. That would be crazy! Anyway, the first band to come to mind was an American experimental rock band called Swans.
Swans formed in 1982 by multi-instrumentalist Michael Gira. Swans emerged from the New York no-wave, noise rock scene and remained relevant for the following decade. Their early music was a sludgy, dark cacophony of abrasive, shouted lyrics and punching rhythms that would not sound out of place in a horror movie. Throughout the decades, Swans have evolved their sound into many different genres including: post-punk, post-rock, industrial, and noise.
Around 1986 Swans added a new member, Jarboe, as a second vocalist and keyboardist, which heralded a more melodic and brooding soundscape. She was the only constant member besides Michael Gira until they broke up in 1997.
Gira reformed the band, minus Jarboe who is doing her own solo music, with new members and a more ethereal post-rock sound. They played their final show in November of 2017, during which Gira said that was the end of Swans' current incarnation.
All-in-all their music is brooding, ethereal, and violent at times. They are truly a band with something for any fans of rock music and experimental soundscapes.
I am very partial to the album To Be Kind. A behemoth of an album at just over 2 hours long, this double disc album features droning, repetitive lyrics and rhythmic sections to make one feel as if they're in a trance. The track "Bring the Sun/Toussaint L'Ouverture" is a mammoth listen at just over 34 minutes long, but you never feel like it's too long.
I personally recommend this band to anyone with an ear for the eclectic, the harsh, the noisy. Perfect music for a midnight caper or for evading capture while you try to clear your name of a murder you didn't commit. Speaking of which, it's high time I get a move on. You can only hide in a swamp for so long, eating rats and lizards, until they come find you.
This has been Mordecai Hestrache, as always, reminding you to keep your ear to the music. Until next time. If I make it out of this chase alive, that is.