Up and Coming

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Posted in The Stranger on September 13, 2006

By MA'CHELL DUMA LAVASSAR

(Sunset) Jesse Sykes and the Sweet Hereafter need to put their new record out pronto. Much like the Highlander, there can be only one Queen of Seattle Alt-Country, and Swaybacks' frontwoman Claire Tucker is positioning herself to snatch the crown off Ms. Sykes's lovely head. This trio's gem of a demo showcases Tucker's diary-invasive, deeply personal lyrics (she laments in "Two Drugs at Once" that "quitting two drugs at once is easier than quitting young love") with piquant vocals that reside somewhere between Chan Marshall, Joni Mitchell, and a twangified Aimee Mann. Swaybacks have three shows coming up in the next four weeks, so you'll have ample opportunity to let their simply crafted, elegant sound sweep you off your feet.

Rocka Rolla

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Posted in The Stranger on October 31, 2006

By HANNAH LEVIN

In a similar, but more sinister, vein are the Swaybacks, a minimalist, alt-country trio fronted by a charismatic siren named Claire Tucker, whose delicate, confessional tone manages to sound strong and occasionally foreboding, despite its diaphanous window dressing. Those contrasting elements play beautifully against the contributions from creative percussionist Daniel Hunt, who makes his own instruments from found objects and has taught himself to play xylophone and drums simultaneously on a few of the band's songs.