Melbourne based singer, songwriter, Andrew Swift has hit the ground running in 2015, already having performed at this year’s Tamworth Country Music Festival, releasing his new single ‘Sound The Alarm’ and playing a string of dates. Last year saw Swift embark on an east coast tour with Brisbane’s, Marcus Blacke, a Sunday residency at Footscray’s ‘Reverence Hotel’ and performances at the ‘House of Blues’ in San Diego, Anaheim and Hollywood, before hitting the home studio of Antiskeptic’s Andrew Kitchen to produce the stripped back follow up single to his 2013 EP, Up With The Anchor. Australian Musician asked Andrew a few quick questions about his music.
What was your first gig?
My first gig was the most cliche first gig ever. Valentine’s Day, playing in the corner of a little Italian restaurant for a free pizza and whatever tips came my way.
What microphone do you use on stage generally?
Whenever I can, I use my Sennheiser e945. Seems to be a nice fit for my vocal tones.
Is it the same for recording?
Live performance mics just don’t have the same love as a studio mic, for this most recent recording we used a Shure SM7B, apparently also known as the Michael Jackson mic.
What’s your latest recording and when will you be back in the studio?
My latest recording is a track called ‘Sound The Alarm’ which was released last week and I plan to do some more writing before I hit the studio again. I just felt like I needed to get this song out there.
What gigs have you been playing lately?
I was up at Tamworth Country Music Festival last month, I’ve also been doing the odd show at the Espy and the Reverence Hotels.
Most memorable gig?
It’s not memorable for all the right reasons, but that would have to be supporting ‘Sleepercar’ in San Antonio, Tx. The show itself was great, but the trailer and every piece of equipment that the guys from ‘Sleepercar’ and I had in there got stolen, never to be seen again.
Worst stage nightmare?
I think I’ve been pretty lucky, aside from having a UDL can thrown at my head, the occasional feedback issue and having the power go out at a venue which ended in an unplugged show, I think I’ve had it pretty easy… I’ve probably just jinxed myself.
Album that changed your life?
‘The ’59 Sound’ by The Gaslight Anthem, that record changed the way I write, everything from the feel to the lyrical content. I started writing more songs that were reminiscent of my childhood. That album just has some magic about it.
What gigs are coming up in the next few months?
There’s a few, The Reverence Hotel, Footscray 21st Feb, The Retreat Hotel, Brunswick 26th Feb + 19th March, Bonnie Doon Music Festival 22nd Feb, The Crown & Anchor, Adelaide 20th March, there’s a few more in the works including Tassie, Adelaide, Melbourne and regional Victoria.
A vocal tip for the kids?
When you’re on stage, it’s not just your voice that’s an instrument, your microphone is too. Use it for dynamics!
TOUR DATES
SAT 21 FEB | BERWICK SHOW (AA), BERWICK, VIC
SAT 21 FEB | REVERENCE HOTEL, FOOTSCRAY, VIC
SUN 22 FEB | BONNIE DOON MUSIC FESTIVAL, BONNIE DOON, VIC
THU 26 FEB | THE RETREAT, BRUNSWICK VIC
THU 19 MAR | THE RETREAT, BRUNSWICK VIC
FRI 20 MAR | CROWN + ANCHOR, ADELAIDE, SA