Weaving tapestries of sparse, melancholic compositions, swelt meld influences of folk, Americana and post-rock. The four-piece, composed of members of Talons, Repo Man and Iceman Furniss Quintet, formed in Bristol in 2020 and spent the next two years writing and playing intimate shows around the city. Delicate melody and vulnerability form the core of the band’s atmospheric arrangements, using voices and strings to create open harmony.
swelt’s debut release, Red Mountain EP was released by Candlepin Records on the 28th October 2022. The release was followed up by a new single, My Only Reflection, on 18th May 2023. swelt have recently recorded a new EP with Euan Hinshelwood (Cate Le Bon, H Hawkline, Younghusband), due to be released later in 2023.Tomorrow their new single, I Thought This Winter Would Never End, will be out everywhere. But, for today, you can listen to it only on TRISTE©!

What Reuben says: ”With this song I wanted to create something rhythmic but that continued to value sparse instrumental arrangement at its core. I was listening to 60s American folk bands like Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young and The Roches; I wanted to layer the songs and harmonies I was writing in a similar way. Instrumentally the song unintentionally takes influence from the Velvet Underground with use of distorted violins and guitar. The rhythm in the last section was inspired by my enjoyment of playing American Old-Time music and the way they often have odd half beats at the end of the sequence to make it feel off kilter. Lyrically it is exploring loss and friendship. The aesthetic of a long, bleak English winter is taken from a mid-century carol which was the favourite of a lost friend.”

“My Only Reflection was written at a time when I was exploring the back catalogue of Jason Molina and also watching ‘Get Back’ the documentary, so I think those influences have come through in the music. The themes of the song are around bereavement and personal loss and were written in that context. Performing it can be difficult but also cathartic. It’s probably the most personal song we have written to date.”

Their Mixtape:

Songs: Ohia – Blue Factory Flame

(Reuben) Hard to pick one song from Jason Molina’s back catalogue – Molina is courageous in the way he uses minimalism and space in his music. Artists can sometimes become afraid of leaving space but Molina almost embraces it, to create a sense of deep contemplation when listening to his music.
This is something I think about deeply when constructing our songs and moulding our sound.

Fairport Convention – Tale in Hard Time

(Reuben) I love the driving syncopated rhythm of this song, combined with the earnest and haunting vocal delivery. The song often puts me into a trancelike state, wanting to immediately put it on repeat.  I took inspiration from this song when thinking about the rhythm and instrumental arrangements of our latest single ‘I Thought This Winter Would Never End.’

 
Lou Terry – Warmly, Alexandria

(Reuben) I first saw Lou play this at his single launch on a snowy December night in east London.  A hypnotic and alluring slow builder, this song makes me feel anxious and hopeful all at once.

Songhoy Blues – Soubour

(Chris) Reuben put me onto this track around the time we recorded ‘I Thought This Winter Would Never End’, the vibe of this song inspired some of the guitar melodies.

lobby – in the wall

New friends from South London. Sparse, vulnerable slow core tune. They played an amazing show at the Shacklewell Arms in London back in March.

Mi Mye – Pleas Let Me Fix This

(Reuben) I don’t know if it’s the melancholic understated lead guitar line or the honesty of the lyrics and their tender delivery but I find myself close to tears when listening to this song. The type of music that evokes emotion in you that you didn’t know was there.

I Thought This Winter Would Never End will be out tomorrow, August 11th. A new EP will follow later this year. Look HERE for more information on swelt.