Swords is a three-piece alternative rock band from Dublin, Ireland, formed in 2010. The band have released two albums to date.

Swords
OriginDublin, Ireland
GenresAlternative rock
Indie rock
Years active2010–present
MembersDiane Anglim
Ian Frawley
Jarlath Canning
Websitehttp://www.swordsband.com

History

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The band members are Diane Anglim (vocals, piano, synthesiser); Jarlath Canning (bass, guitar, synthesiser, backing vocals); and Ian Frawley (drums).

Swords released their debut EP, Black Balloon, in February 2012. The four-track EP, produced by Karl Odlum, contained a re-recording of "Chasm" and three new tracks, including the title track, "Black Balloon". "Chasm" was released as a single, with a video created by Sebastian Escalante.[1] The tracks "Chasm" and "Go" featured on the soundtrack of the Ross Noble comedy horror movie "Stitches".[2] The EP was supported by a 25-date Irish tour[3] at venues which included The Roisin Dubh & McCarthys, Dingle, and festivals like The Camden Crawl, Vantastival, and Knockanstockan, and ended with a headline show on The Salty Dog Stage at Electric Picnic.[4]

On 13 November 2012, Swords announced that they were recording an album at a remote house in Kilkenny[5] with producer Karl Odlum. A single, "All The Boys", was released on 26 March 2013,[6] and was featured on national Irish radio. On 4 June 2013, the band performed "The Menace" on the TV show Other Voices.[7]

Their debut album Lions & Gold was released on 5 July 2013 and was launched at Whelan's in Dublin.[8] The band toured Ireland to support the album, with festival slots at The Camden Crawl, Valentia Isle Festival and Indiependence, and performances at Electric Picnic, HWCH 13 in Dublin; and in Dingle.[9] In September 2013, the band announced a publishing deal with UK label Smalltown America Music.[10] The band made another television appearance in The Works on RTE One,[11][12] followed by a live radio session with Paul McLoone on the national broadcaster Today FM.[13]

In 2016, Swords released the single, "Betty Machete", followed by another single, "The Letter".[14] A third single, "Sixty Thousand Years", was released, featuring a video produced by Bold Puppy.[15]

On 28 October 2016, Swords released Tidal Waves, their second album, which was produced by Karl Odlum and mastered by Mandy Parnell.[16] The album made its debut at Number 1 in the iTunes Charts in Ireland[17] and Number 3 in the full charts.[18] The band said, "We recorded live as much as possible, and tried to let the songs breathe and stand alone without dense production or layers".[16] They played a sold-out headline show at The Workmans Club in Dublin.[19]

Band members

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Discography

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  • Lions & Gold (2013)
  • Tidal Waves (2016)

References

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  1. ^ "Video: Swords – Chasm | Video". Goldenplec.com. Retrieved 23 October 2021.
  2. ^ Murphy, Celina. "Chasm". Hotpress.com. Retrieved 23 October 2021.
  3. ^ "Swords announce more dates on their mammoth tour | News". Goldenplec.com. 6 June 2012. Retrieved 23 October 2021.
  4. ^ "The Electric Picnic 2012 | Swords". Swordsband.com. Retrieved 23 October 2021.
  5. ^ "The Beginning Stages Of... | Swords". Swordsband.com. Retrieved 23 October 2021.
  6. ^ "Soundbites: Swords, Mick Flannery, Foxygen, Daft Punk and more". Entertainment.ie. 28 March 2013. Retrieved 23 October 2021.
  7. ^ "Other Voices | Swords". Archived from the original on 8 July 2013. Retrieved 29 October 2013.
  8. ^ "Swords at Whelan's – Photos and Review". Dublinconcerts.ie. Retrieved 23 October 2021.
  9. ^ Heslin, Maeve. "Hard Working Class Heroes 2013: The Review". Hotpress.com. Retrieved 23 October 2021.
  10. ^ "Swords Join Smalltown America Music". Imro.ie. 25 September 2013. Retrieved 23 October 2021.
  11. ^ "RTE 1 TV – Tonight – 11:10pm | Swords". Swordsband.com. Retrieved 23 October 2021.
  12. ^ "VIDEO: The Works on RTE One TV | Swords". Swordsband.com. Retrieved 23 October 2021.
  13. ^ "Have a listen to the brilliant Swords Session for The Paul McLoone Show". TodayFM. Retrieved 23 October 2021.
  14. ^ "Swords – Our song The Letter is reviewed in the current edition of Hot Press Magazine... You can hear it now on iTunes & Spotify. | Facebook". Retrieved 23 October 2021 – via Facebook.
  15. ^ "Video: Sixty Thousand Years". Swordsband.com.
  16. ^ a b "Dublin Band 'Swords' to Launch Album 'Tidal Waves' – see video 'Sixty Thousand Years'". Eile.ie. 10 November 2016.
  17. ^ "Swords – Swords added a new photo – with Kilrush Town". Retrieved 23 October 2021 – via Facebook.
  18. ^ "Swords – Swords added a new photo". Retrieved 23 October 2021 – via Facebook.
  19. ^ "Eir Other Voices Festival | Other Voices". othervoices.ie. Archived from the original on 30 June 2016. Retrieved 17 January 2022.
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