The band began to record in Brussels in the last few months of 2012 of what would soon be their debut album. During their career, they have released five singles which have received critical acclaim. They released their debut album Where the Heaven Are We on August 5, 2013. It was originally meant to be on 29 July, but it was moved to a later date for unknown reasons.
Their music has been described as "Beach grunge". the band often get mentioned in the same sentence as fellow Birmingham bands Peace and Troumaca who also make slacker beach rock.
Swim Deep formed in 2010 with Austin Williams, Tom 'Higgy' Higgins and Wolfgang J Harte. The band went through multiple drummers until they eventually recruited Austin's best friend Zachary Robinson on drums who, at the time, was playing in a band called Cajole Cajole. On the subject, Austin said, “We thought it was a long shot but we’d just lost another drummer so we asked Zach if he wanted to join our band and he said yeah. That was one of the best things that happened, to be honest.” After a few months, Harte announced that he was leaving the band and the band played as a three piece until they recruited Cavan McCarthy, the merchandise seller from fellow Birmingham band, Peace. The band put some demos up on Soundcloud, "Isla Vista" and "Santa Maria", in 2011.
In 2012, Swim Deep signed with Chess Club and released their debut single, "King City", in May 2012. After a UK tour with Spector in November/December 2012, the band went to Brussels to record their debut album with producer Charlie Hugall. They released their second single, "Honey", in November which got them well critical acclaim and is usually associated with the band. NME magazine said that "the best bits of the Birmingham mob’s latest cut have the pull of a star-spangled whirlpool that’ll suck you back into the late ’80s."
2010-2012: Formation and record deal
They have played shows with Splashh, Spector, Citizens! and the Mystery Jets. The band also accompanied Two Door Cinema Club on their February 2013 UK tour, alongside Bastille. In February 2013, a video was released for their next single "The Sea". The single was released the month after on 7" vinyl and download, backed with a cover of "Down by the Seaside". In May 2013 they released their fourth single "She Changes the Weather", along with an EP of the same name.
2013-2014: Where the Heaven Are We
In early May, Swim Deep put the pre-order links up on their official store. Where the Heaven Are We is due to be released in August, 2013, on 12" vinyl, CD and digital download. Limited edition signed vinyl are also to be released featuring a 7" of two early demos. A Japan only EP was released in May titled Sun on My Back made up of early demos, B-sides and "King City". In June, the band released a new video for the re-release of "King City". The single is due for release in July. In July 2013 it was revealed that the deluxe edition of Where the Heaven Are We would feature a bonus track "Crush".
2014-2017: Mothers
Following tours throughout 2013 to support their debut album, the band began recording their second album in London in September 2014. In December, they returned to Brussels to continue their progress. They finished recording in January 2015. They released "To My Brother", the first single from the second record, in February. "To My Brother" was noted by critics for its marked change in direction, with many picking up on the unexpected influence of acid house music. Speaking to DIY Magazine, Austin addressed the band's dramatic new direction: "I feel like we’re all shaving our heads and going to war with this record." The second single from the album, "One Great Song and I Could Change the World", was released in April 2015.
In June 2015, the band announced Mothers, their sophomore album, would be released 19 September. The album release was later delayed until 2 October. Mothers, heavily influenced by acid house and techno, received positive reviews from critics, with a Metacritic score of 79. NME's Rhian Daly described "Namaste" as "a great big bolt of pop that’s impossible to ignore".DIY Magazine's Stephen Ackroyd said that "Fueiho Boogie" "explodes time and time again into increasingly more ridiculous krautrock techno extravaganzas." In December 2015, Swim Deep toured North America with The 1975.
2018-: Untitled third album
Swim Deep confirmed they were recording their third album in July 2018. The band confirmed the departures of long-serving members Zachary Robinson and Tom Higgins in a statement. Captioning a photograph of a new-look Swim Deep on the beach, they said: “We’re off to a studio by the sea to finally finish the album we’ve been dreaming of our whole lives and we’re so ready to share it with you.”
Members:
Austin "Ozzy" Williams - vocals, guitar, keys, percussion (2010–present)
Cavan "Cav" McCarthy - bass guitar, backing vocals (2012–present)
James Balmont - keys, percussion, guitar, backing vocals (2013–present)
Robbie Wood - guitar, backing vocals (2017-present)
Past members:
James "Wolfgang" Harte - bass guitar, backing vocals (2010-2012)
Johnny Aries - live keys and live percussion (2013)
Tom "Higgy Pop" Higgins - guitar, backing vocals (2010–2018)
Zachary "Zach" Robinson - drums, percussion, backing vocals (2011–2018)
Honey
Swim Deep Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
She wanna lose the frown and turn it upside down, and start livin'
Ah ah ah, don't blame the time on your wrist
For not doing what makes you tick.
Don't blame the clock on the wall for running round
With nothing at all
So I say oh oh baby
Take your feet out your shoes and go crazy
Don't just dream in your sleep it's just lazy
Are we having a fight, or are we dazing?
Baby
I wanna go down south and hold onto your feelings lately
I wanna hear you growl but who's gonna be there to save me
Ah ah ah, don't blame the time on your wrist
For not doing what makes you tick.
Don't blame the clock on the wall for running round
With nothing at all
So I say oh oh baby
Take your feet out your shoes and go crazy
Don't just dream in your sleep it's just lazy
Are we having a fight, or are we dazing?
Baby
Don't just dream in your sleep it's just lazy
Don't just dream in your sleep it's just lazy
Don't just dream in your sleep it's just lazy
Don't just dream in your sleep it's just lazy
The lyrics to Swim Deep's song "Honey" are all about urging someone to break free from their mundane and unfulfilling lifestyle to pursue their dreams and start living life to the fullest. The song emphasizes the importance of taking action and not blaming external factors for one's lack of progress. The first verse talks about a person who wants to hold onto their dreams but can't seem to escape their frown and start living. The chorus urges them to take off their shoes and go crazy, to stop dreaming in their sleep and start doing something about their situation. The second verse uses the imagery of going down south and hearing someone growl to express the desire for passion and intensity in life.
The lyrics are filled with energy and encouragement, urging the listener to break free from the constraints of their life and pursue their happiness. The song is catchy and upbeat, with a driving beat and smooth vocals. It's a call to action for anyone who feels stuck in life and needs a push to follow their dreams.
Line by Line Meaning
She wanna move around and hold onto the dreams that she's dreamin'
She desires to keep herself active and pursue her aspirations.
She wanna lose the frown and turn it upside down, and start livin'
She wants to get rid of her negative emotions and start enjoying life.
Ah ah ah, don't blame the time on your wrist
For not doing what makes you tick.
Don't use lack of time as an excuse for not doing what you love.
Don't blame the clock on the wall for running round
With nothing at all
Don't blame external factors for your lack of action or accomplishment.
So I say oh oh baby
Take your feet out your shoes and go crazy
Don't just dream in your sleep it's just lazy
Are we having a fight, or are we dazing?
Baby
The artist is urging someone to be more spontaneous and proactive, and to not just be content with daydreaming.
I wanna go down south and hold onto your feelings lately
I wanna hear you growl but who's gonna be there to save me
The singer wants to connect deeper with someone and experience their raw, passionate emotions, but fears that doing so might jeopardize their own emotional stability.
Don't just dream in your sleep it's just lazy
Don't just dream in your sleep it's just lazy
Don't just dream in your sleep it's just lazy
Don't just dream in your sleep it's just lazy
Repeated for emphasis, the singer is stressing the importance of taking action towards your goals and not just idly wishing for them in your dreams.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Austin Williams, Tom Higgins, Zack Robinson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind