Derek™ Posted April 5, 2016 Share Posted April 5, 2016 06–17–16. Pre-order now. http://youtu.be/Ka_hKb7dSiY A NOTE FROM MICHAEL GIRA OF SWANS: “In 2009 when I made the decision to restart my musical group, Swans, I had no idea where it would lead. I knew that if I took the road of mining the past or revisiting the catalog, that it would be fruitless and stultifying. After much thought about how to make this an adventure that would instead led the music forward into unexpected terrain, I chose the five people with whom to work that I believed would most ably provide a sense of surprise, and even uncertainty, while simultaneously embodying the strength and confidence to ride the river of intention that flows from the heart of the sound wherever it would lead us - and what’s the intention? LOVE! And so finally this LOVE has now led us, with the release of the new and final recording from this configuration of Swans, The Glowing Man, through four albums (three of which contain more complexity, nuance and scope than I would have ever dreamed possible), several live releases, various fundraiser projects, countless and seemingly endless tours and rehearsals, and a generally exhausting regimen that has left us stunned but still invigorated and thrilled to see this thing through to its conclusion. I hereby thank my brothers and collaborators for their commitment to whatever truth lies at the center of the sound. I’m decidedly not a Deist, but on a few occasions – particularly in live performance – it’s been my privilege, through our collective efforts, to just barely grasp something of the infinite in the sound and experience generated by a force that is definitely greater than all of us combined. When talking with audience members after the shows or through later correspondence, it’s also been a true privilege to discover they’ve experienced something like this too. Whatever the force is that has led us through this extended excursion, it’s been worthwhile for many of us, and I’m grateful for what has been the most consistently challenging and fulfilling period of my musical life. Going forward, post the touring associated with The Glowing Man, I’ll continue to make music under the name Swans, with a revolving cast of collaborators. I have little idea what shape the sound will take, which is a good thing. Touring will definitely be less extensive, I’m certain of that! Whatever the future holds, I’ll miss this particular locus of human and musical potential immensely: Norman Westberg, Kristof Hahn, Phil Puleo, Christopher Pravdica, Thor Harris, and myself mixed in there somewhere, too.” THE GLOWING MAN TRACKLISTING 01 | Cloud of Forgetting 02 | Cloud of Unknowing 03 | The World Looks Red / The World Looks Black 04 | People Like Us 05 | Frankie M. 06 | When Will I Return? 07 | The Glowing Man 08 | Finally, Peace. “I wrote the song ‘When Will I Return? specifically for Jennifer Gira to sing. It’s a tribute to her strength, courage, and resilience in the face of a deeply scarring experience she once endured, and that she continues to overcome daily. The song ‘The World Looks Red / The World Looks Black’ uses some words I wrote in 1982 or so that Sonic Youth used for their song ‘The World Looks Red’, back in the day. The music and melody used here in the current version are completely different. While working up material for this new album, I had a basic acoustic guitar version of the song and was stumped for words. For reasons unknown to me, the lyric I’d so long ago left in my typewriter in plain view at my living and rehearsal space (the latter of which Sonic Youth shared at the time) and which Thurston plucked for use with my happy permission, popped into my head and I thought “Why not?” The person that wrote those words well over three decades ago bears little resemblance to who I am now, but I believe it remains a useful text, so “Why not?”. Maybe, in a way, it closes the circle. The song ‘The Glowing Man’ contains a section of the song ‘Bring The Sun’ from our previous album, To Be Kind. The section is, of course, newly performed and orchestrated to work within its current setting. ‘The Glowing Man’ itself grew organically forward and out of improvisations that took place live during the performance of ‘Bring The Sun’, so it seemed essential to include that relevant section here. Since over the long and tortured course of the current song’s genesis, it had always been such an integral cornerstone I believe we’d have been paralyzed and unable to perform the entire piece at all without it. ‘Cloud of Forgetting’ and ‘Cloud of Unknowing’ are prayers. ‘Frankie M’ is another tribute and a best wish for a wounded soul. ‘The Glowing Man’ contains my favorite Zen Koan. ‘People Like Us’ and ‘Finally, Peace’ are farewell songs.” - Michael Gira 2016 The Glowing Man was recorded at Sonic Ranch, near El Paso, Texas, with John Congleton as recording engineer. Further recording was made at John’s Elmwood Studio, in Dallas, Texas, and at Studio Litho (Seattle, WA) with Don Gunn, engineer, and at CandyBomber (Berlin) with Ingo Krauss, engineer. The record was mixed by Ingo at CandyBomber and by Doug Henderson at Micro-Moose, Berlin. Doug Henderson mastered it at Micro-Moose. Will clean this thread up once I'm home and have access to a desktop, but I wanted to start the hype-train stat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shelby Posted April 5, 2016 Share Posted April 5, 2016 Sounds like it's gonna be a fantastic record. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek™ Posted April 5, 2016 Author Share Posted April 5, 2016 Sounds like it's gonna be a fantastic record. I'd go as far as to call it a potential swan song. agaetisbyrjun, aopps42, Metal Mike and 1 other 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted April 5, 2016 Share Posted April 5, 2016 I was just Googling this album yesterday hoping to find more info or a release date. I can't wait. I wish Frankie M wasn't included though. That's the only recent Swans song I don't like much so far. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GHOSTDRONES Posted April 5, 2016 Share Posted April 5, 2016 Excited Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
radiatorhums Posted April 5, 2016 Share Posted April 5, 2016 Very excited! I'll order this when I get home. Extensive tour has me stoked as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Youinreverse Posted April 5, 2016 Share Posted April 5, 2016 So excited for this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thetrackt Posted April 5, 2016 Share Posted April 5, 2016 Excited too... are the last few albums in a flimsy jacket tho? This one look the same chipboard or whatever. I never picked them up but got that vibe when I saw them at Square. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek™ Posted April 5, 2016 Author Share Posted April 5, 2016 I could be imagining things, but I think if you opted for the "vinyl" package when you ordered that Gate CD, it includes the new album on vinyl in addition to the live DVD. Make sure you guys aren't ordering again, if you got in on that a while back. Excited too... are the last few albums in a flimsy jacket tho? This one look the same chipboard or whatever. I never picked them up but got that vibe when I saw them at Square. I love the chipboard texture jacket for TBK. Looks like they're going that route again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eliminator Jr. Posted April 5, 2016 Share Posted April 5, 2016 In humble foresight of the ever recurring lack of noteworthy releases during the summer period, the release date for yet another sprawling and intricately challenging Swans album is perfectly fitting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DecayToDeath Posted April 5, 2016 Share Posted April 5, 2016 Lookin' forward to it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dapeebs Posted April 5, 2016 Share Posted April 5, 2016 Been meaning to check this band out for the longest time. Where do you guys recommend starting for their back catalog? Really like promo on the pre-order page. jvphotoandvideo 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lethalenforcer Posted April 5, 2016 Share Posted April 5, 2016 Been meaning to check this band out for the longest time. Where do you guys recommend starting for their back catalog? Really like promo on the pre-order page. I'd personally just jump into The Seer and To Be Kind. Work your way backwards if you like those. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shelby Posted April 5, 2016 Share Posted April 5, 2016 I'd personally just jump into The Seer and To Be Kind. Work your way backwards if you like those. What I did. It worked. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
radiatorhums Posted April 5, 2016 Share Posted April 5, 2016 Been meaning to check this band out for the longest time. Where do you guys recommend starting for their back catalog? Really like promo on the pre-order page. I think it depends on what era too. The Seer if you want current Swans, Filth if you want the early industrial/noise stuff and then maybe Children of God or Love of Life if you want middle era Swans. I'm least familiar with the middle work, so those might not be the best recommendations there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shelby Posted April 5, 2016 Share Posted April 5, 2016 I think it depends on what era too. The Seer if you want current Swans, Filth if you want the early industrial/noise stuff and then maybe Children of God or Love of Life if you want middle era Swans. I'm least familiar with the middle work, so those might not be the best recommendations there. If they said they liked the promo for the next album I think it's safe to say they want current Swans Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GHOSTDRONES Posted April 5, 2016 Share Posted April 5, 2016 I could be imagining things, but I think if you opted for the "vinyl" package when you ordered that Gate CD, it includes the new album on vinyl in addition to the live DVD. Make sure you guys aren't ordering again, if you got in on that a while back. I love the chipboard texture jacket for TBK. Looks like they're going that route again. Good call... I have to double check what I did for that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GHOSTDRONES Posted April 5, 2016 Share Posted April 5, 2016 I think it depends on what era too. The Seer if you want current Swans, Filth if you want the early industrial/noise stuff and then maybe Children of God or Love of Life if you want middle era Swans. I'm least familiar with the middle work, so those might not be the best recommendations there. I almost completely agree with this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Youinreverse Posted April 5, 2016 Share Posted April 5, 2016 SWANS TOUR 2016 North America 7/6 – Philadelphia PA, Union Transfer 7/7 – Boston MA, Royale Nightclub 7/8 – Providence RI, Fete 7/9 – Quebec QC, Le Cercle 7/10 – Toronto ON, Danforth Music Hall 7/12 – Detroit MI, St Andrews Hall 7/13 – Milwaukee WI, Shank Hall 7/14 – Minneapolis MN, Fine Line Music Cafe 7/15 – Chicago IL, Lincoln Hall 7/16 – Chicago IL, Lincoln Hall 7/18 – Cleveland OH, Beachland Ballroom 7/19 – Cincinnati OH, Woodward Theater 7/21 – Louisville KY, Headliner’s Music Hall 7/22 – Atlanta GA, Terminal West 7/23 – Asheville NC, Orange Peel 7/24 – Nashville TN, Exit / In 7/26 – Carrboro NC, Cats Cradle 7/27 – Richmond VA The Broadberry 7/28 – Washington DC, 9:30 CLUB 7/29 – New York NY, Bowery Ballroom 7/30 – Brooklyn NY, Music Hall of Williamsburg *with support from Okkyung Lee 9/1 – Tucson AZ, Rialto Theater 9/2 – Los Angeles CA, Fonda Theater 9/3 – San Francisco CA, The Regency Grand Ballroom 9/4 – Portland OR, Wonder Ballroom 9/6 – Vancouver BC, Venue 9/7 – Seattle WA, The Showbox 9/9 – Salt Lake City UT, Urban Lounge 9/10 – Denver CO, Gothic Theater 9/12 – Dallas TX, Trees 9/13 – Austin TX, Mohawk Austin 9/14 – San Antonio TX, Paper Tiger 9/15 – Albuquerque NM, Sunshine Theater 9/16 Sept – Phoenix AZ, Crescent Ballroom *with support from Baby Dee Europe 10/6 – Brussels BE, Oranjerie Botantique 10/7 – Eindhoven NL, De Effenaar 10/8 – Brighton UK, Concorde 2 10/9 – Manchester UK, HMV Ritz 10/11 – Glasgow UK, Oran Mor 10/12 – Newcastle Upon Tyne UK, Northumbria University 10/13 – London, UK, Islington Assembly Hall 10/14 – London, UK, Islington Assembly Hall 10/15 – Reims FR, La Cartonnerie 10/17 – Hamburg DE, Kampnagel 10/18 – Berlin DE, Huxleys Neue Welt 10/19 – Prague CZ, Divaldo ARCHA Theatre 10/21 – Budapest HU, A38 Ship 10/22 – Vienna AT, Arena Big Hall 10/23 – Graz AT, Orpheum Extra 10/25 – Ljubljana SL, Kino Kiska Centre for Urban Culture 10/26 – Zagreb HR, Lauba 10/28 – Basel CH, Kaserne 10/29 – Vevey CH, Rocking Chair 10/30 – Bern CH, Reitschule Dachstock 11/1 – Tourcoin FR, Le Grand Mix 11/2 – Nimes FR, La Paloma 11/5 – Bologna IT, Teatro Auditorium Manzoni 11/6 – Rome IT, Orion Live Club 11/8 – Nantes FR, Stereolux 11/9 – Paris FR, Le Trabendo 11/10 – Cologne DE, Gebäude 9 11/11 – Munich DE, Feierwerk 11/12 – Wiesbaden DE, Kulturezentrum Schlachthof Michael Gira is currently on a solo tour through Europe, for full details, updates and announcements of additional Swans dates please visit: http://younggodrecords.com/pages/tour-dates Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DecayToDeath Posted April 5, 2016 Share Posted April 5, 2016 Always Philadelphia, never Pittsburgh... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted April 5, 2016 Share Posted April 5, 2016 I would kill to see a MG solo show. Looks like I will be hitting the Portland and Seattle Swans dates. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eliminator Jr. Posted April 5, 2016 Share Posted April 5, 2016 I've been to his solo performance in Berlin about two years ago. He was sweet, kind and talkative and played some gorgeous songs from the White Light/Love of Life-era. I'm contemplating doing a rather spontaneous 4h-drive to see him once more the day after tomorrow, but that might fall through because of work stuff. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jvphotoandvideo Posted April 5, 2016 Share Posted April 5, 2016 Debeeps, I gave you an upvote because I just imagined Duchovny saying that with his high pitched voice and I can't stop giggling. Thank you for making my afternoon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Twistedshabazz Posted April 6, 2016 Share Posted April 6, 2016 Always Philadelphia, never Pittsburgh... They were in pittsburgh for both the seer and to be kind. Figured they wouldnt come through for this tour. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DecayToDeath Posted April 6, 2016 Share Posted April 6, 2016 They were in pittsburgh for both the seer and to be kind. Figured they wouldnt come through for this tour. Now I wish I was into them back then, shoot. Might have to make the drive. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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