Swim Season
Swim Season are a great Aussie band doing things. James the lead singer from the band answered my questions.
1. For someone unfamiliar with your music, how would you describe the Swim Season sound?
We all come from different musical backgrounds, so it’s pretty great when we get together to blend our individualities to form the Swim Season sound. Pretty inspiring when another member reels off something that you wouldn’t expect and it just works. Keeps our sound pretty fresh too!
2. Tell us a little bit about your writing process. A peek inside the inner workings of the band if you will.
Initially, the songs usually start with myself. I write most of the melodies and compositions, however, and probably like most other bands, when the bones of a song are taken to rehearsal, everyone adds their own unique flavour. Lately, Jon (our drummer) has been coming up with some pretty great lyrics and progressions – ‘The Throne’ was initiated by him! We’ve have been working together recently to blend our ideas before taking them to the band. We’ve known each other for years so aren’t afraid to be brutally honest when it comes to shaping the songs. It seems to work pretty well!
3. As far as breakout success is concerned, is it all about the strength of a song or does being in the right musical climate at right time make all the difference?
Bit of everything to be honest. Would love to say it is purely the strength/uniqueness of the song, but – while that is of course very important – this day and age (especially with the depth and ease of music production), I feel that marketing, planning and pushing the band’s image plays a huge part as well.
4. How important is social media to you in regards to engaging with an audience?
Massive. Without it, I suppose there wouldn’t be much interaction with any audience, besides word of mouth.
5. What inspired you to take music more seriously?
As lame as it sounds, it’s probably just in our blood. More of a ‘can’t live without it’ situation rather than seeing it as just a hobby.
6. What’s spinning on your playlist atm? Any guilty pleasures?
Personally, I can’t get enough of Bombay Bicycle Club, but I suppose that’s always the case with me.. I’m really loving what Ball Park Music are doing at the moment, but if I didn’t have my Spotify set to Private, everyone would know that I’m smashing some good old 90s classics at work – Ace of Base, Craig David.. you know.
7. Are you a fan of keeping the album format alive or do you think there’s more benefit to release singles or EPs with the influence of streaming platforms arguably shortening attention spans?
Totally agree with the short attention spans. It’s hard enough getting people interested, and once they are, you’d better make sure the content is short/sweet! (Unlike my answers here haha). Everyone’s a culprit, I’m the same. In saying that though, I believe albums will never die. Nothing beats being in the mood for a Fleetwood Mac fix or a Strokes marathon. Us being a new band, it is probably smart to release singles while we develop our audience & sound, but an album in the future is on the cards for sure!
8. When not consumed with all things musical, what do you do tune out or reset?
Probably listen to music. Seriously though, I struggle to think about this question. I suppose I’d go exercise or something.
9. Your single ‘The Throne’ is doing the rounds now, what does the immediate future hold?
For Swim Season, we plan on putting out another single very soon, which we almost have ready to go, and hopefully start getting around Australia a bit more. It’s great to meet new people who genuinely are excited about what you are doing.
10. Lastly, Prince or Michael Jackson?
Hmm.. I’m going to have to go with MJ hands down.
Swim Season’s new single The Throne is out now via all good digital retailers
