Swallows are:
Jeff Crandall: Vocals, guitars, piano, keys, bass
Frank Spencer: Guitars, dulcimer, banjo, keys
Aaron Kerr: Cello, electric cello, piano
Featured players:
Leigh Gregory (Mellow Drunk): Guitar
Randy Gildersleeve: Guitar, mandolin, lap steel
Patrick Hennessey: Drums and percussion
Jason Fritts: Bass
Tyson Allison: Vocals, guitars, bass, keys, percussion
Influences
Tom Waits, Leonard Cohen, Dick Dale, Bettie Page, Daniel Lanois, Les Paul, Nick Cave, Philip Glass, John Cage, Aaron Copeland, Jack Kerouac, Eels, Quentin Tarantino, David Lynch, Jim Jarmusch, Woody Guthrie, Robert Johnson, William Blake, The Rolling Stones, John Coltrane, John Lee Hooker, Walt Whitman, Beck, Johnny Cash, The Flaming Lips, The Velvet Underground, Miles Davis, Morphine, T-Rex, The Animals, Them, Van Morrison, Led Zeppelin, The Beatles
Sounds Like
"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." - David Buchanan, Consequence of Sound
Swallows (Minneapolis, Minn.) formed in the summer of 2007 and began playing live shows in the Twin Cities and around the Midwest in early 2008.
The band's eclectic and thematic sound features the collaboration of songwriters/composers Jeff Crandall (Thinland, Mellow Drunk), Aaron Kerr (Thinland, Mellow Drunk), Tyson Allison (The Sleeper Pins, Gliss) and Frank Spencer.
"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." - David Buchanan, Consequence of Sound
In July of 2008, Swallows released their first CD, Songs for Strippers (and other professions).
The patiently crafted album features sumptuous vintage guitar tones, gritty cello lines, striking vocals and an eclectic fusion of musical styles.
"Brilliant…. The overall effect is a dramatic, nearly operatic build." - Bob Milton, The Milton Files
"Eleven tracks of vintage rock and roll that will tear you up." - John Siwicki, The Comfort Comes
"It is seldom that one gets to enthusiastically introduce new bands with raw talent, but this is one of those moments." - David Buchanan, Consequence of Sound
One of the top albums of 2008 - Consequence of Sound
Swallows' live set builds upon the foundation laid with the recording of "Songs for Strippers..." and is building towards the band's forthcoming second release, "Covert Transmissions to the Elementals," which will find Swallows journeying further into the landscapes of traditional American musical forms and expressions.
Winter 2009 marked the release of Dissonant Creatures, a 10 song collection of minimalist instrumental sketches composed by Swallows' cellist Aaron Kerr and arranged and produced by Tyson Allison and Jeff Crandall.
Ever wondered what to do in the event of a nuclear threat?
A while ago I found stuff that inspired me to make this film:
Living Under the Shadow of the Nuclear Umbrella
Both artistic (ensure you get the background music!) and educational, it primarily comprises official British government civil defence advice.
Though source materials are quite aged, much remains relevant today.
I encourage all to visit the YouTube page to learn more (Show support! Rate! Comment!) and responsibly circulate as widely as possible, here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UaIim3Rj7L4
Good to have you as a friend! So great to see the internet in action this way, shortening distances between people.
I hope all's well with you and that you enjoy checking out my web site some time.
For occasional, new, refreshing, insightful and (possibly?!) valuable content, I encourage you to sign up for my free newsfeed/email newsletter (using the form on site at page right - high quality, low quantity, no spam!).
You might enjoy watching some of my films (use the on screen controls to skip between them):
I was going to go camping over the weekend, but this is definitely NOT camping weather. So me and some friends went to check out Dueling Pianos. Those guys are amazing - they can play just about any song that's been on the radio between 1950 and 2005.
Speaking of music, I wanted to let you know about a show we have @ Station 4 on Friday, October 16th. We are debuting a project called Sonic Transformations. It is a series of audio-visual performance pieces. The first one is called "AN OBJECT TO CRAVE". It features live music and visuals based on a short story about life, love, loss, fantasy, obsession and death.
Another group of mine, The Magnetrons, which plays an exciting and innovative Livetronica set (i.e. STS9, Disco Biscuits, The Histronic) will also be playing. The night will be full of creative, interesting, high-energy music, good drinks and good times.
Here's the info:
Blood Root Mother - "An Object to Crave" w/ The Magnetrons & Thought Thieves Friday, October 16th Station 4 201 E 4th St St Paul, MN 55101 9pm / $5 / 18+
I just wanted to stop by to say hello and give you a little update on what Blood Root Mother is up to! We will be recording an EP of new music in August, and we recently finished recording a live DVD. The DVD is currently unreleased and I actually just saw it for the first time a few days ago. It features the last two performances with Tony Ellis still alive, and some footage from the tribute show we played on the night of his funeral.
There are some cool covers, as well as some NEW music that will be on our upcoming EP. We're very excited about the new music and we'd like to share a sneak peak with you. Here's a video of a new tune called Run Bobby Run:
Just wanted to say thanks for being a friend! Have a great day! Come by and see us play at Eclipse Records Thursday July 16th at 7pm. Othr acts are Lollipop Factory, Company Inc. and Ribbons. Stop by our page for more info and a sample of some music!
Blood Root Mother will be playing at Trocaderos in Minneapolis on Friday, June 26th. I cannot stress enough how awesome this show will be!! We're playing with three of the sweetest local rock bands: Claret, Niobium and Casanatra. If you haven't heard these guys, check them out immediately! Please come to this show!!
I recommend stopping by during happy hour for two for one drinks along with free buffet, which is delicious. We'll be hanging out at Trocs all night, so come by and chill/party with us :)
Again, here's the event info:
Friday, June 26th Trocaderos 107 3rd Ave N Minneapolis, MN 18+ // $6 // 8pm
Please come out and support some great local music!! Music starts at 9:30pm, we should go on around midnight. Invite your friends, pile into a car (or a party bus), and together we will make this one of the highlights of the summer :)
Hi Guys-- thanks for the add--I'm diggin' the tunes! Love to share the stage sometime after I get a band in place this summer/fall. 'Til then, be seeing you in twitter-land... -JJ
Hey Thanks for adding us...all we have to say is...CAN WE OPEN UP FOR YA'LL ??? Absolutely LOVE your stuff, 'specially Kerouac....nice production, dig the 'vibey' guitar stuff. Really glad we met ya'll on twitter...stay in touch, we're gonna try n get a show for ya'll down here in Lincoln Land...later, The Clampetts
