The Story of Swans by Those Who Lived to Tell
Nick Soulsby's oral history of Swans digs deep in and around the trenches of Michael Gira's twisted musical world.
michael gira
Nick Soulsby Reads from His Oral History, ‘Swans: Sacrifice and Transcendence’
Swans' story is a story of artistic near-death, defiance, and resurrection. This excerpt brings forth the band's challenges during the Swans Are Dead Tour of 1997.
Étant Donnés with Michael Gira – Offenbarung und Untergang (Review)
In 1999 Swans' Michael Gira paired with Étant Donnés for an album of the spoken word poetry of Georg Trakl mixed with ambient noise. Offenbarung und Untergang is now available again as a new re-issue.
Swans: The Great Annihilator / Michael Gira: Drainland
By pairing The Great Annihilator with Drainland, the emotional rawness of Gira and Jarboe's art comes through in full color.
Finding the Image: Michael Gira Talks Swans’ Creative Process
Michael Gira discusses the mistake that led to a critical part of the latest Swans album, building a collective mind, and the art of Francis Bacon.
Swans: The Gate
Michael Gira’s lauded experimental rock group returns with an apocalyptic shriek.
Swans: Oxygen EP
Revealing the true horsepower behind the Swans’ "Oxygen", this four-song collection should be handled by a professional driver on a closed course.
The Seer Guides Us to Be Kind: Ten Great Songs by Swans 2.0
Following their "reconstitution", Swans have put out three albums since 2010. PopMatters examines the best material the innovative rock band has put out during that time.
The Knife and the Blood That Ensues: An Interview with Swans
PopMatters speaks with Swans frontman Michael Gira about the band's "joyous" new double LP, To Be Kind, covering everything from its undulating rhythms to its original titillating cover art.
Swans: To Be Kind
To Be Kind is a punishing exploration of rhythm and groove as only Swans can do it.