Swallows are:
Jeff Crandall: Vocals, guitars, piano, keys, bass
Frank Spencer: Guitars, dulcimer, banjo, keys
Aaron Kerr: Cello, electric cello, piano
Tyson Allison: Vocals, guitars, bass, keys, percussion
Featured players:
Leigh Gregory (Mellow Drunk): Guitar
Randy Gildersleeve: Guitar, mandolin, lap steel
Patrick Hennessey: Drums and percussion
Jason Fritts: Bass
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
From Songs for Strippers (and other professions)
Swallows
2008 Swallow the Music
Buy Swallows' CDs & MP3s from CDBaby.com:
December 2008 - Songs for Strippers (and other professions) is number 57 on Consequence of Sound's Top 100 Albums of 2008
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
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 also marks the release of Dissonant Creatures, a 10 song collection of minimalist instrumental sketches composed by Swallows' cellist Aaron Kerr and arranged and produced by Swallows' Tyson Allison and Jeff Crandall.
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
Since you seem to have good taste in music and live around the cities, I wanted to let you know about our show THIS Thursday, February 26th. We will be burning down the house at Trocaderos Nightclub in Minneapolis (107 3rd Ave N). If you've been there before, I don't have to tell you it's one of the best venues in the Twin Cities - classy atmosphere, great drinks, and the sound is always fantastic. We're gonna be recording live for a DVD, and this is definitely gonna be the coolest show we've done yet. So COME ON DOWN! The show is 18+, it starts at 9pm, and the cover is a mere $5.
Hope to see you there!
Peace, Elliot
"The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious. It is the source of all true art and all science. He to whom this emotion is a stranger, who can no longer pause to wonder and stand rapt in awe, is as good as dead: his eyes are closed." -Albert Einstein
Be sure to check out our new song entitled: "Bankruptcy Has Never Been Better Under The New Law", off of our brand new, soon to be released EP entitled " Theres No Such Thing As Bad Luck, You've Done It Yourself You Miserable Fuck"
