Swallows are a rock act with Americana, blues and folk influences from Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota.

The band's line-up features Jeff Crandall (vocals, guitar, piano), Aaron Kerr (cello/bass), Tyson Allison (vocals, guitar, keys, melodica), Ben Steen (drums) and Mike Nordby (mandolin, percussion).

In July of 2008, Swallows released their first CD, Songs for Strippers (and other professions). The album features sumptuous vintage guitar tones, gritty cello lines and an eclectic fusion of musical styles.

PRESS FOR SONGS FOR STRIPPERS:

ONE OF THE TOP ALBUMS OF 2008 - CONSEQUENCE OF SOUND, TOP 100 CDs of 2008

"It is seldom that one gets to enthusiastically introduce new bands with raw talent, but this is one of those moments.... Swallows has invoked what people are calling 'rock and roll, ugly and beautiful, profane and spiritual...' This [Minnesota] quartet brings a blend of classic blues, a barrage of eclectic instruments, and warm yet gritty Nick Cave vocals to a state otherwise known for Atmosphere and Sage Francis." - CONSEQUENCE OF SOUND

"Swallows delivers some straight ahead rock and roll; very Headstones-esque." - BROKEN PENCIL

"Brilliant…. The overall effect is a dramatic, nearly operatic build." - THE MILTON FILES

"There is enough here to keep me happy including the riffy 'Not Your Kind Of Man', the ballad 'Come To Me' and the almost Blues-like 'Days Like This', which are the highlights on this eleven track set.... It's the kind of album that Bad Seeds / Grinderman fans would warm to, when Nick Cave is away doing his arty farty stuff.... well worth checking out." - ZEITGEIST (UK)

"Eleven tracks of vintage rock and roll that will tear you up." - THE COMFORT COMES

"Straight up rock and roll here, touching at times on the edge of the Replacements, but somewhat darker in tone.... These songs are tied to cities and their streets.... Feeling East Coast in direction, with that raw New York rock sound.... A little post-indie guitar twang that breaks into a gritty vocal line that brings to mind Tom Waits.... This is definitely an album that you need to let play. If you just listen to the first song and give up, you’re going to miss something that could be very important." - THE RED ALERT

Swallows are currently working on their second album Covert Transmissions to the Elementals, which finds them wandering through the landscapes of traditional American musical forms.