Tagged: Michael Gira
Music Lessons: Seven Artists Share Their Wisdom
Whether it’s psychedelic drugs, Bowie or Burt Reynolds, musicians are influenced and inspired by the world at large. We talked to seven artists about their greatest musical lessons—things they’ve learned either through experience or from … read more »
Upstate With: Swans
Like all their records, Swans’ deep, dark new LP The Seer (out today) sounds fit for a decayed, gargoyle-ridden church in a blighted city. But when we visited their upstate New York rehearsal space, we … read more »
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In eighth grade my English teacher assigned the class a research paper on a modern artist. He suggested subjects for us, and said I might like to write about German painter Max Ernst. His reasoning … read more »
Swans, “The Apostate” MP3
Since Michael Gira resurrected his decades-old project Swans in 2010 and started putting out records and playing shows again, it seems like every release ups the ante on how brutal the band can sound, as … read more »
Band Practice With Swans
Last month, before FADER Issue 70 hit stands, we had the privilege of meeting one of America’s greatest bands at its rehearsal space in Brooklyn, just before going on tour. Michael Gira of Swans, along … read more »
Best Singles Of 2008, #9 – Xiu Xiu Featuring Michael Gira "Under Pressure"
Xiu Xiu are no strangers to strange cover versions, but they set their sights seemingly unreasonably high by taking on a song pretty much universally liked. Much more surprising, they pulled it off. The original was always about an interplay of voices, and here the effect is even more pronounced, balancing Jamie Stewart’s expressive quaver against Michael Gira‘s (of Swans) staid resonance, and Caralee McEllroy’s ringing clarity. And with a couple brief free sax solos worked into the perfect balance of pop and experimentation. –Nate Dorr read more »
