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)
Drag Queens in Soho
Swim Deep Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I hope, that I'll learn lessons from drag queens in Soho
I hope, that I'll learn lessons from drag queens in Soho
Don't ask me what I do
Ask me why I breathe
Hello to what I am
Hello it's me!
I'm here in the moment
And I was born a pawn to a queen
And now I hope
I hope, that I'll learn lessons from drag queens in Soho
I hope, that I'll learn lessons from drag queens in Soho
I hope, that I'll learn lessons from drag queens in Soho
My nostalgia is poison
Sometimes it's hard
To be an irregular, regular
Cause we are just aliens, born with no fear of who we are
You've got no rules son, cause you were born a queen to a pawn
I've learnt lessons from drag queens in Soho
Now I hope
I hope, that we'll learn lessons from drag queens in Soho
I hope, that we'll learn lessons from drag queens in Soho
I hope, that we'll learn lessons from drag queens in Soho
The lyrics of Swim Deep's song "Drag Queens in Soho" reflect a desire to learn important life lessons from drag queens in the vibrant district of Soho. The repetition of the phrase "I hope, that I'll learn lessons from drag queens in Soho" emphasizes this longing for wisdom and guidance.
The line "Don't ask me what I do, ask me why I breathe" suggests that the singer wants to be understood beyond their occupation or superficial characteristics. They want to be recognized for their essence, their true self. By introducing themselves with "Hello to what I am, Hello, it's me!" they are asserting their identity and declaring that they are proud of who they are.
The singer acknowledges their human nature and their capacity for fear, but emphasizes their open heart and willingness to fully embrace the present moment. They recognize that they were born as a subordinate figure, a pawn, to a powerful queen. This could symbolize societal expectations or hierarchies that they seek to rise above.
The line "My nostalgia is poison, sometimes it's hard to be an irregular, regular" speaks to the struggles of not fitting into societal norms or conventions. The singer sees themselves as outsiders, aliens, but they also draw strength from this uniqueness. They were not bound by rules, as they were born a queen to a pawn, suggesting the potential for empowerment and self-discovery.
In the final section, the perspective shifts from "I hope" to "we hope," suggesting a collective longing for growth and enlightenment. It implies that not just the singer, but also others, can benefit from the wisdom and experiences of the drag queens in Soho. The repetitive nature of the chorus emphasizes the importance of these lessons in their journey of self-discovery and acceptance.
Overall, the lyrics convey a yearning for lessons in self-acceptance, courage, and embracing individuality from the drag queens in Soho. The drag queens symbolize an unapologetic expression of identity, and their influence is seen as transformative and empowering.
Line by Line Meaning
I hope, that I'll learn lessons from drag queens in Soho
I am optimistic that I will gain valuable insights and knowledge from drag queens in the Soho area.
Don't ask me what I do
Do not inquire about my occupation or profession.
Ask me why I breathe
Instead, inquire about the purpose and meaning behind my existence.
Hello to what I am
Greetings to my true identity and authentic self.
Hello it's me!
I am acknowledging my own presence and making myself known.
I am a human, born with no fear, and an open heart
I embrace my humanity, devoid of fear, and approach life with a receptive and loving nature.
I'm here in the moment
I am fully present and engaged in the present time.
And I was born a pawn to a queen
I entered this world as a subordinate or lesser entity to someone of higher status or power.
My nostalgia is poison
My longing for the past has detrimental effects on my well-being.
Sometimes it's hard
Occasionally, life becomes challenging and difficult.
To be an irregular, regular
It can be challenging to deviate from societal norms while still maintaining a sense of normalcy.
Cause we are just aliens, born with no fear of who we are
Because we, as individuals, are outsiders or different from societal expectations, yet we embrace ourselves without fear.
You've got no rules son, cause you were born a queen to a pawn
As an individual, you are not bound by society's conventions or restrictions due to your inherent greatness or power, despite being initially disadvantaged or subservient.
I've learnt lessons from drag queens in Soho
I have gained valuable teachings and insights from drag queens in the Soho area.
Now I hope
At this point, I maintain the expectation or desire.
I hope, that we'll learn lessons from drag queens in Soho
I express my optimism and aspiration that we, as a collective, will acquire valuable wisdom and knowledge from drag queens in the Soho area.
I hope, that we'll learn lessons from drag queens in Soho
I express my optimism and aspiration that we, as a collective, will acquire valuable wisdom and knowledge from drag queens in the Soho area.
I hope, that we'll learn lessons from drag queens in Soho
I express my optimism and aspiration that we, as a collective, will acquire valuable wisdom and knowledge from drag queens in the Soho area.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: James Balmont, Robbie Wood, Dave McCracken, Cavan McCarthy, Austin Williams
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind