Free Swim… Can’t turn that down (unless you’re the sound man)
Showcase: Free Swim
Published on February 17th, 2014 | Jonny Abrams
We recently made Free Swim’s “Transatlantic Tumnus” our single of the week, describing it in the following terms:
This is how good Los Campesinos! could sound if they had original and fresh-sounding melodies swimming freely about their characterful lyrics. An absolute blast, this one, spiky and unusual and so damn catchy.
So, you know, we did that thing we like to do where we demand more information from them. Happily, they complied…
How would you describe your music, if pushed?
Fast, fun and fruity.
Where are you based, and what do you use to record with?
I am Paul and I am in Prague. Dave is in Hampshire but he is moving soon. Ryan just got back to the UK from a year in Los Angeles. Steve lives in Croydon. On the new EP we used GarageBand.
Are you signed to a label? If so, how did you come to their attention?
Not really – I release the stuff so far of on my own label Sex Farm Records. I have put out 10 records on it and every one has been played on the BBC. I am proud of that. I’d like a bigger label to release the new EP on vinyl though.
Is there a full album in the works? If so, what can you tell us about it? (Feel free to be as abstract as you like…)
No there isn’t at the moment. Free Swim is more about concept EPs so far.
Where can we hear your music online?
There’ll be a second track from the new EP with an accompanying video appearing soon and it has a Russian theme.
Which have been your most exciting gigs and/or overall moments so far?
I liked the gig we did in Manchester at A Carefully Planned Festival. We did a session for the Guardian and The Line of Best Fit and Amazing Radio which was filmed using 360 degree cameras. That was a hell of a day out. And hearing your record on the radio is awesome whether it’s Radio 1 or a random college station in Houston.
Got any more coming up? (Gigs, that is…)
Just DJing at the moment – 4th march @ La Loca, Prague.
Are there any obscure and/or up-and-coming acts that you’d like to recommend or give a shout-out to?
Oh yes. I write about obscure Central and Eastern European music for sugarglidermusicnews.com – have a look there, there are some absolute gems.
Finally, if you were forced to spend the rest of your days in solitary confinement, but were allowed to bring the entire works of five different artists along to tide you over, whose would you choose?
Oh that’s good. Neil Young sprang to mind immediately. Then Super Furry Animals. Velvet Underground. My Bloody Valentine. Mercury Rev.
Free Swim, thank you.
You can visit Free Swim on Facebook and on Twitter.
About the Author
Jonny Abrams Editor of Rocksucker and the website's founder, Jonny is passionate about the music he listens to, both good and bad, as well as interviewing his favourite musicians.
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