The Twin Cities-based rock/Americana band Swallows have been described as a “complex combination of American roots and Old World folk music” (Minneapolis City Pages), “Atmospheric Americana” (Curious North), “rootsy punk” (Minneapolis Star Tribune) and “a little prog rock, a little classical, a little old Sabbath-type metal, a little Old World folk” (Hymie’s Vintage Records).
Swallows have performed regionally in the Midwest since 2008, including shows with prominent Twin Cities and national acts (Sallie Ford and the Sound Outside, The Kopecky Family Band, Venus DeMars and Kevin Bowe). Swallows have also made live appearances on KARE 11 television’s Showcase Minnesota program, KVSC 88.1 FM/UTVS TV’s Monday Night Live and the Institute of Production and Recording’s DIY Series hosted by Kevin Bowe.
Swallows have released two well-received full-length albums and an EP and are currently recording their third full-length album, In the Shadow of the Seven Stars, which is set for release in 2017. Swallows’ Americana/roots-oriented Witching & Divining (2012) received strong media support in the Twin Cities and rotation on over 160 college and public radio stations throughout the U.S. and Canada. Swallows’ music has also been played on major Twin Cities radio stations, including Cities 97 and 89.3 The Current, where Swallows’ “The Winnowing” received a 5/5 listener rating.
2012’s Witching & Divining was also included in both Minneapolis City Pages’ (staff picks) and Hymie’s Vintage Records’ Top 10 albums of 2012 lists, the CMJ Top 30 (at 15 reporting stations), KFAI radio’s Sonic Pleasure’s best songs of 2012 (“The Devil’s Hole”), 2010’s Clear Sky Relapse EP received 5/5 stars from Australia’s Buzz Magazine, and Swallows’ 2008 debut, Songs for Strippers (and other professions), came in at #57 on Consequence of Sound’s (NYC/Chicago) Top 100 albums of 2008 list.
Swallows’ current line-up features Jeff Crandall (guitar, vocals, keys, piano), Aaron Kerr (cello, bass), Justin DeLeon (drums), Mike Nordby (mandolin, percussion) and Brett Hansen (guitar). Swallows’ alum Tyson Allison (guitar, vocals, keys, marimba, melodica, percussion) also rocks out with the band whenever possible.
Swallows’ discography includes Witching & Divining (2012), Clear Sky Relapse (EP, 2010), and Songs for Strippers (and other professions) (2008).
