Swans announce 17th studio album ‘Birthing’ – More details available now
Swans (Photo by Josef Puleo)
Swans have released details of their seventeenth studio album, “Birthing”, due for release on 30 May 2025. It lands via Mute / Young God Records on triple vinyl (brown chipboard sleeve), double CD (brown chipboard digi-pack), and digital formats.
Early pressings of the vinyl and CD include a bonus DVD with “Swans Live 2024 (Rope) The Beggar”, a concert film directed by Marco Porsia, plus Christopher Nicholson’s documentary from Michael Gira’s 2022 solo tour, “I Wonder If I’m Singing What You’re Thinking Me To Sing.”
Listen to the new track “I Am a Tower” below.
“This album was largely developed over a yearlong Swans tour during 2023 – 2024. It all began with me in my office with an acoustic guitar, singing and dreaming about what would become of these skeletal songs,” says Michael Gira.
“I’m blessed to have such a stellar group of musicians to work with live, and through improvisation and an intensity of focus in performance, the music morphed into what you hear on this collection. We’ll do a final tour in this mode towards the end of 2025, then that’s it. My hope is that the music provides a positive and fertile atmosphere in which to dream.”
Gira produced “Birthing” which was recorded at Soundfabrik Berlin with engineer Ingo Krauss and assistant Kiron Gaudi. It was then mixed at Candy Bomber Studio, Berlin by Ingo Krauss. Doug Henderson at Micro-Moose (Berlin) mastered it.
Contributors on “Birthing” include Michael Gira (acoustic guitar, voice), Phil Puleo (drums, hammer dulcimer, flute, melodica, percussion), Kristof Hahn (lap steel, guitars), Dana Schechter (lap steel, bass), Christopher Pravdica (bass, loops, keyboards), Larry Mullins (Mellotron, keyboards, percussion), Norman Westberg (electric guitar), and guest musicians Jennifer Gira, Laura Carbone, Lucy Kruger, Andreas Dormann, Timothy Wyskida, and Little Mikey.
Table of contents
Swans on tour
Michael Gira & Kristof Hahn will embark on a solo European tour in April
- 9 April – Prague (CZ), Meet Factory
- 10 April – Linz (AT), Grüner Anker
- 12 April – Trieste (IT), Teatrro Miela
- 13 April – Milan (IT), Spazio Teatro 89
- 15 April – Brussels (BE), Ancient Belgique
- 17 April – London (UK), EartH
- 18 April – Paris (FR), Cafe de la Danse
- 20 April – Tilburg (NL), Roadburn Festival
- 21 April – Cologne (DE), Helios 37
- 23 April – Leipzig (DE), Hellandskirche
- 25 April – Warsaw (PL), Palladium
- 27 April – Berlin (DE), Heimathafen
About Swans
Swans, an American experimental rock band, was founded in 1982 by Michael Gira in New York City. Emerging from the no wave scene, the band is renowned for its evolving sound, encompassing genres like noise rock, industrial, post-punk, and post-rock. Gira has been the sole constant member, steering the band’s direction throughout its various transformations.
Early Years (1982–1985)
Swans’ initial lineup featured Gira on vocals and bass, Jonathan Kane on drums, and Sue Hanel on guitar. Their debut EP, Swans (1982), showcased a raw, abrasive sound characteristic of the no wave movement. This was followed by their first full-length album, “Filth” (1983), which intensified their sonic assault with grinding guitar noise and pounding rhythms. During this period, the band’s music was marked by themes of power, control, and human suffering.
Evolution and Jarboe’s Influence (1986–1997)
In 1986, vocalist and keyboardist Jarboe joined Swans, marking a shift in their sound. Her influence introduced more melodic and atmospheric elements, evident in albums like “Children of God” (1987), which blended harsh noise with ethereal passages and explored religious themes. The band’s experimentation continued with releases such as “The Burning World” (1989), incorporating folk and world music influences, and “White Light from the Mouth of Infinity” (1991), which delved into more melodic and intricate compositions. Swans disbanded in 1997 after releasing the expansive double album “Soundtracks for the Blind” (1996).
Reformation and Recent Works (2010–Present)
Gira revived Swans in 2010 with a new lineup, excluding Jarboe. This era saw the release of albums like “My Father Will Guide Me up a Rope to the Sky” (2010), “The Seer” (2012), “To Be Kind” (2014), and “The Glowing Man” (2016). These works are characterized by lengthy compositions and complex soundscapes. In 2017, Gira announced a shift in the band’s structure, opting for a revolving cast of contributors for future projects. This approach led to the creation of “Leaving Meaning” (2019) and “The Beggar” (2023).
Their forthcoming album, Birthing, is slated for release in 2025.
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