Raised by Swans
Raised by Swans | |
---|---|
Origin | shoegazing |
Years active | 1998 | –present
Labels | 1101 |
Members | Eric Howden |
Website | raisedbyswans |
Raised by Swans is the recording alias of Canadian solo artist Eric Howden.[1][2] A singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, Howden chose the name 'Raised By Swans' in 1997 following a cathartic dream he had after leaving his previous band, The Gandharvas; the name relies on a homonym (‘raise’: to rear; to elevate[3]) to convey a simultaneous sense of connection and freedom.[4]
Howden composes his songs using a multi-track recorder, guitar, bass, drum machine, and keyboard, writing all parts for all instruments, as well as all the lyrics.[5][6] This process contributes to his relatively slow recording and releasing pace.[7] His music has been described as haunting[8] and contemplative.[9]
In a 2013 interview, Howden explained that pride in his body of work eventually overcame his discomfort in referring to Raised By Swans as "I" instead of "we". In his words: "Raised By Swans is and always has been a solo project, not a band. That fact hasn't been made clear in the past, which is wholly my fault; well-meaning but misguided attempts at modesty and inclusion have clouded the truth. I'm honoured to have such gifted musicians alongside me onstage...but if someone else happens to play a part on an album of mine, for instance, they're playing a part I've written."[10]
Discography
Studio albums
- Codes and Secret Longing, 1101 (independent), 2005
- No Ghostless Place, 1101 (independent), 2010
- Öxnadalur, 1101 (independent), 2014[11]
- Raised by Swans Is the Name of a Man, 1101 (independent), 2021
Singles
- Sightings, 1101 (independent), 2013
- Trains We Both Missed / Pale Blue Black Holes, 1101 (independent), 2016[12]
Raised By Swans' first two full-length studio albums (
Raised By Swans released the single 'Sightings'[14] on 19 July 2013, through Bandcamp exclusively.[15] The song was written and recorded by Howden following a trip to Berlin, Germany in 2012.[16] This was followed by his third studio album, Öxnadalur, in November 2014 and a double single Trains We Both Missed / Pale Blue Black Holes in September 2016.
In film
Raised By Swans' song 'Violet Light' is featured in Douglas Coupland's film Everything's Gone Green.[17]
Armenian-Canadian film director
References
- ^ Francis Notarangelo (4 December 2013). "Intervista con Eric Howden (Raised by Swans)". altprogcore. Retrieved 13 January 2014.
- ^ Eric Howden (22 October 2012). "… · raised by swans". raisedbyswans.com. Archived from the original on 2 February 2014. Retrieved 13 January 2014.
- ^ "Raise | Define Raise at Dictionary.com". Dictionary.reference.com. Retrieved 19 March 2012.
- ^ "Raised By Swans on Dreams and Nightmares". Blogto.com. 10 December 2009. Retrieved 19 March 2012.
- ^ Terri (8 December 2009). "Swans in Flight". nxew.ca. Archived from the original on 29 October 2013. Retrieved 24 October 2013.
- ^ "Raised By Swans Interview (unedited)". Retrieved 21 March 2013.
- ^ "Reaney rawk intvus: MMX,Vol. I . . . a fascinating Q&A with Eric Howden of Raised by Swans". Archived from the original on 7 April 2013. Retrieved 10 February 2013.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ Josh (23 April 2010). "Review & 5 Minutes With: Raised By Swans". Crack in the Road. Retrieved 19 March 2012.
- ^ Persaud, Travis (10 May 2011). "Raised By Swans – No Ghostless Place • Pop & Rock Reviews •". Exclaim.ca. Retrieved 19 March 2012.
- ^ Francis Notarangelo (4 December 2013). "Intervista con Eric Howden (Raised by Swans)". altprogcore. Retrieved 13 January 2014.
- ^ Eric Howden (28 September 2014). raisedbyswans.com http://raisedbyswans.com/?p=969. Retrieved 3 October 2014.
{{cite web}}
: Missing or empty|title=
(help) - ^ "trains we both missed / pale blue black holes (7"), by Raised By Swans". Raised By Swans. Retrieved 13 September 2016.
- ^ "The House of Miracles". Thetwominutemiracles.com. Retrieved 19 March 2012.
- ^ Eric Howden (19 July 2013). "Sightings (Single), by Raised by Swans". raised by swans. Retrieved 6 August 2013.
- ^ Eric Howden (19 July 2013). raisedbyswans.com http://www.raisedbyswans.com/new/?p=575. Retrieved 6 August 2013.
{{cite web}}
: Missing or empty|title=
(help) - ^ Eric Howden (12 July 2013). raisedbyswans.com http://www.raisedbyswans.com/new/?p=556. Retrieved 6 August 2013.
{{cite web}}
: Missing or empty|title=
(help) - ^ James Reaney – 25 May 2007 (25 May 2007). "Everything's Gone Green . . . for Raised by Swans « James' Brand New Blog". Blogs.canoe.ca. Archived from the original on 6 July 2012. Retrieved 19 March 2012.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ "Atom Egoyan | TALKING TO... | TORO MAGAZINE | What Men Need to Know about Sex, Style, Music, Sports, Drinks & Video". Toro Magazine. Archived from the original on 22 September 2012. Retrieved 19 March 2012.
- ^ CBC Radio 3 – New Music Canada – Artist – Raised by Swans
External links
- Raised by Swans official website
- Raised By Swans' Facebook page