Michael Giras Swans veröffentlichen am 30. Mai ihr neues, insgesamt siebzehntes Studioalbum „Birthing“, dessen acht Songs weitgehend auf der Tour 2023/2024 entstanden. Wie schon auf den vorherigen Alben komponierte Gira Stücke auf der Akustikgitarre, die dann von der Band weiter instrumentiert und orchestriert wurden. Die Aufnahmen fanden dann in Berlin statt. Das Album, das auf Doppel-CD, Dreifach-LP und als Download erscheint, markiert das Ende einer Ära, sollen Swans mit ihrer Erforschung von “all-consuming sound worlds” danach doch in deutlich abgespeckterer Version weitermachen.
SWANS BIRTHING ALBUM CONTRIBUTORS: Michael Gira – acoustic guitar, voice, producer; Phil Puleo – drums, hammer dulcimer, flute, melodica, percussion; Kristof Hahn – lap steel guitar, electric and acoustic guitars, loops, backing vocals; Dana Schechter – lap steel guitar, bass guitar, loops; Christopher Pravdica – bass guitar, Taishogoto, loops, sounds, keyboards; Larry Mullins – Mellotron, keyboards, piano, synthesizer, drums, vibraphone, percussion, backing vocals; Norman Westberg – electric guitar, loops… Guest Musicians: Jennifer Gira – backing vocals, cameo vocals; Laura Carbone and Lucy Kruger – backing vocals; Andreas Dormann – soprano saxophone; Timothy Wyskida – drums on The Merge; Little Mikey – cameo vocals.
Birthing was produced by Michael Gira. Recorded at Soundfabrik Berlin, recording engineer Ingo Krauss, assisted by Kiron Gaudi, and mixed at Candy Bomber Studio, Berlin by Ingo Krauss. Mastered by Doug Henderson at Micro-Moose, Berlin.
Birthing 2CD+Bonus DVD tracklisting:
CD1: The Healers
- I Am a Tower
- Birthing
CD2: Red Yellow
- Guardian Spirit
- The Merge
- Rope: Instrumental
- Away
BONUS DVD included with initial pressing:
- M. Gira/I Wonder if I’m Singing What You’re Thinking Me to Sing (Live Solo 2022)
- Swans/(Rope) The Beggar (Live 2024)
Birthing 3LP+ Bonus DVD tracklisting:
Side A The Healers
Side B I Am a Tower
Side C Birthing
Side D Red Yellow / Guardian Spirit
Side E The Merge
Side F Rope: Instrumental / Away
BONUS DVD included with initial pressing:
- M. Gira/I Wonder if I’m Singing What You’re Thinking Me to Sing (Live Solo 2022)
- Swans/(Rope) The Beggar (Live 2024)