Swans Are Undead

After revealing to Brainwashed that he was thinking about Swans again, Michael Gira has confirmed that the band will be entering the studio to record a new album sometime soon. The new lineup (listed below) includes some familiar faces, including Norman Westberg, but does not appear to feature Jarboe, which will relieve a few people and probably disappoint others. Curiously, a few Angels of Light members are also in the group.

 

Gira has posted an MP3 of a song called “Jim” over at the “Swans are Dead” Myspace page, which now reads “Swans are Not Dead.” The song is said to be one of many candidates for the next album, but there’s absolutely no mention or information concerning the songs played at Tufts University, where Gira first mentioned reforming Swans. A new M. Gira CD/DVD package called I Am Not Insane is also in the works; it is intended to help fund Gira and company as they enter the studio. Not sure if there’s any connection to the collection of Gira drawings by the same name, though. Here's the update as it appears on the Myspace page:

The song “Jim” recently added to the playlist is an acoustic demo (solo at home) recording by michael gira. this, and many other new songs recorded in the same way comprise many of the new (rough versions) of songs under consideration, to be fleshed out on the coming new swans album. a cd of these acoustic versions, as well as a live (2 shows) dvd of m.gira will be for sale very soon as a hand made (by gira) package called I Am Not Insane (CD/DVD). this package – in a limited edition of 1000 - will be sold in order to raise money for the swans recordings/offset the huge costs involved... check back here or at http://younggodrecords.com for ordering details and more information...coming soon...coming soon...

principal players on the swans album are (and there will be many special guests):

Michael Gira / gtr / voice / mendicant friar act (original swans)
Norman Westberg – Guitar (original swans)
Christophj Hahn – Guitar (mid period swans and most angels)
Phil Puleo – Drums, percussion, dulcimer etc etc (final swans tour and most angels)
Chris Pravdica – Bass and gadgets (flux information sciences / services/ gunga din)
Thor Harris, Drums, percussion, vibes, dulcimer, curios, etc etc... (angels, now also with shearwater)

Angels Of Light is temporarily on hold while gira pursues his “new” project...