Swive shares Stereophonic Stylings Volume One
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Swive formed in 2022 in San Diego, California. We have three strong songwriters, a female and a male vocalist who trade between leads and harmonies, a powerful rhythm section, and plenty of fiery verve. People have compared us to the Pixies, Sonic Youth, Guster, the Fall, and the Gin Blossoms. After playing a few early shows, we recorded an EP at Earthling Studios with Mike Kamoo. Swive was then nominated for Best New Artist of 2022 at the San Diego Music Awards.
We enlisted Ben Moore at Singing Serpent Studios in San Diego to record our debut album, and Johnny Hickman (of the Grammy Award-nominated band Cracker) offered to produce, which led to an energizing collaboration. Stereophonic Stylings Volume One was released July 1, 2023 to positive reviews, and has been nominated for Best Indie/Alternative album of 2023 at the San Diego Music Awards.
Members:
Indio Romero has been writing songs and playing guitar since he was a young child. His music contains shades of his influences, which include Elliott Smith, Camper Van Beethoven, and Nirvana; he creates catchy melodies shot through with gorgeous guitar hooks. His voice features a gorgeous vibrato, and he loses himself in the moment, especially at live shows. His former bands include Lightning Starts Fire and Subspecies. He is currently studying music composition and recording engineering.
Sidney Merritt was a clarinetist as a child. When she was 18, she managed to get herself backstage at an Oingo Boingo concert, where Danny Elfman gave her a first guitar lesson. She went on to front several bands, including Weenie Roast and Throw Like A Girl, as well as lead guitar in Barbara Manning's Tablespoons, in San Francisco and Portland, Oregon. Her songs tend to be less traditional in structure, with time signature changes, different tunings, and keen lyrics. Her day job is pediatric anesthesiologist at the University of California San Diego.
Mike Santos has traditionally been a songwriter and guitarist, but is the bassist in Swive. This gives him a distinctive perspective for his parts and performance. He contributes formidable power-pop compositions and arrangements to the band and has a rockstar stage presence. He is also a member of Lucy's Fur Coat and SeaBase.
Charles Brownell is an innovative drummer who is and has been in many great bands, including the Nephews, Scary Pierre, and Creepxotica. His style is influenced most heavily by jazz and art rock percussionists.
