Swans

Michael Gira European Solo Tour – February 2018

Following the final Swans dates in the band’s current incarnation, Michael Gira has announced details of a solo European tour for February 2018.

The dates start in Zürich on 6 February and include the Grauzone Festival in the Netherlands (with Cabaret Voltaire) before two UK dates with Okkyung Lee – at Newcastle’s Boiler Shop on 20 February and London’s KOKO on 21 February.

“Now that this last phase of Swans is over, I’m not quite sure it actually happened. It’s already fading, like most things. I think we achieved something there though, and it was good after shows to go out and meet people and get a sense of how the music has affected them, either that night or through the years. I’m always touched when I hear the music has had a salutary effect on someone, since it’s had the same effect on me – which is why I do it. So, even if the details are increasingly hazy, I feel we’ve left something positive behind, and perhaps contributed something worthwhile. 

Now, as is natural, I’m looking towards what comes next. I’m currently writing new material for the next phase of Swans, some of which I’ll perform on my upcoming solo tours. Sitting there alone on stage with a dead piece of wood and some wires and just my voice is a challenge I set for myself a number of years ago, trying to fully inhabit the same thread that’s run through the music all along, with the simplest of means. I think I’ve gotten pretty good at it over time. I play the guitar my own way. I’ve never really learned how to play it conventionally and I don’t care to do so. I could just as easily be hitting two rocks together. It provides a context for the voice and words, and just as in the music of Swans, when all the elements (known and unknowable) combine, it can lead to something beyond itself, which is always the place I’d like to go: somewhere else. I hope to see you there.”

– Michael Gira / Swans 

MICHAEL GIRA EUROPEAN TOUR

6 Feb – Zürich CH, Rote Fabrik

7 Feb – Geneva CH, Théâtre Casino

9 Feb – Brussels BE, Oranjerie at Botanique

10 Feb – Den Haag NL, Grauzone Festival at Den Paard (with Cabaret Voltaire)

12 Feb – Prague CZ, Divaldo ARCHA Theatre

14 Feb – Copenhagen DK, Bremen Teater

15 Feb – Stockholm SE, Slaktkyrkan

17 Feb – Hamburg DE, Kampnagel

18 Feb – Berlin DE, Volksbühne am Rosa-Luxemburg-Platz

20 Feb – Newcastle UK, Boiler Shop (with Okkyung Lee)

21 Feb – London UK, KOKO (with Okkyung Lee)

WHERE DOES A BODY END? – DOCUMENTARY FILM

A documentary about Swans, Where Does A Body End?, is currently in production, due for release in 2018. Director Marco Porsia has captured many of Swans’ performances since their reactivation in 2010, and interviewed fans and artists who have worked with the band, including Jarboe, Daniel Miller, Thurston Moore, Ben Frost, Jehnny Beth of Savages, Sun O))) and many more.

RECENT SWANS RELEASES

The Glowing Man is out now on double CD, deluxe triple gatefold vinyl and 2CD/DVD format.

“Devastatingly intense…” – UNCUT 4*

MOJO 4* – Metro 4* – Clash 4* – FT 4* – Record Collector 4* – Classic Rock 4*

The Great Annihilator (remastered) is out now on double CD and vinyl, packaged with Michael Gira’s Drainland.

“… offers crucial perspective on a band whose versatility has basically known no bounds” – PITCHFORK

“… another powerful testament to his most singular vision” – 4* MOJO

“Further proof of their genius is not necessary – indeed, it hasn’t been for some years now – but, in this release, we have quite the reminder” – 9* THE LINE OF BEST FIT

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younggodrecords.com

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