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, โWe thought it was a long shot but weโd 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.โ 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 mobโs latest cut have the pull of a star-spangled whirlpool thatโll suck you back into the late โ80s."
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 weโre 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 thatโs 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: โWeโre off to a studio by the sea to finally finish the album weโve been dreaming of our whole lives and weโre so ready to share it with you.โ
Members:
Austin "Ozzy" Williams - vocals, guitar, keys, percussion (2010โpresent)
Cavan "Cav" McCarthy - bass guitar, backing vocals (2012โpresent)
James Balmont - keys, percussion, guitar, backing vocals (2013โpresent)
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 (2010โ2018)
Zachary "Zach" Robinson - drums, percussion, backing vocals (2011โ2018)
Never Stop Pinching Myself
Swim Deep Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Cause I can be nobody else
I'm not there but I got out
And I ain't rich but I left town
Oh won't the holy sky, shine a light
On the ones I love
Oh won't the holy sky, shine a light
Don't let the morning bills decide, how I choose to live my life
Kick out all that badness outside
Cause I can't be nobody else
Oh won't the holy sky, shine a light
On the ones I love
Oh wont the holy sky, shine a light
On my mother's land
Was it freer more fun, more bohemian?
Today I don't care, about your yesteryear
Our speakers are louder
Our rooms are smaller
Our drugs are wider
Our friends are quieter
Our technology is more important
Our feelings are digital
Our clubs are shutting
Our gates are closing
Our clouds are parting
Our sun is shining
Shine a light
Shine a light
Shine a light
Shine a light
The lyrics of "Never Stop Pinching Myself" by Swim Deep convey a sense of self-appreciation and the desire for personal freedom and authenticity. The opening line, "Never stop pinching myself," suggests a constant reminder to the self to stay grounded and appreciative of one's own existence. The phrase "Cause I can be nobody else" indicates a recognition of one's uniqueness and the importance of staying true to oneself.
The following lines, "I'm not there but I got out, and I ain't rich but I left town," express a sense of personal achievement and liberation. It suggests that despite not being in a specific place or having wealth, the singer has managed to break free from some sort of confinement or limitation. This could refer to leaving a small town or breaking free from societal expectations.
The lines "Oh won't the holy sky, shine a light, On the ones I love, Oh won't the holy sky, shine a light, On my mother's land" suggest a desire for blessings and protection for loved ones and the singer's connection to their homeland. The mention of the "holy sky" implies a hope for divine intervention or guidance in their lives.
The chorus reiterates the plea for the sky to shine a light on the ones the singer loves and their motherland, emphasizing the importance and value placed on these relationships and their connection to their roots.
The final section shifts the focus to societal changes and contrasts the past with the present. The lines, "Was it freer more fun, more bohemian? Today I don't care, about your yesteryear" suggest a disregard for nostalgia or romanticizing the past. The singer acknowledges that the present is what matters to them, and they are not interested in dwelling on the past.
The concluding repetition of "Shine a light" emphasizes a continued desire for illumination, whether it is in the form of spiritual enlightenment, personal growth, or a metaphorical shedding of light on their path. Overall, the song encourages self-acceptance, embracing personal freedom, and acknowledging the importance of loved ones and cultural heritage.
Line by Line Meaning
Never stop pinching myself
Continuously remind myself that this is real and not a dream
Cause I can be nobody else
Because I have embraced my true self and identity
I'm not there but I got out
I have moved away from a place or state of mind
And I ain't rich but I left town
I may not have wealth, but I have broken free from my surroundings
Oh won't the holy sky, shine a light
I hope for divine guidance and blessings
On the ones I love
May the ones I care about be blessed
Oh won't the holy sky, shine a light
I hope for divine guidance and blessings
On my mother's land
May the place my mother comes from receive divine light and prosperity
Don't let the morning bills decide, how I choose to live my life
I will not let financial obligations determine my life choices
Kick out all that badness outside
I will remove negativity and harmful influences from my life
Cause I can't be nobody else
Because I am comfortable being my authentic self
Was it freer more fun, more bohemian?
Was the past characterized by greater freedom, enjoyment, and unconventional lifestyle?
Today I don't care, about your yesteryear
I am not concerned with your past or what it used to be like
Our speakers are louder
Our music and voices are more amplified
Our rooms are smaller
Our living spaces have become more compact
Our drugs are wider
The range and availability of drugs have expanded
Our friends are quieter
Our social circles have become more reserved or introverted
Our technology is more important
We place greater significance on advancements in technology
Our feelings are digital
Our emotions are often expressed and communicated through digital means
Our clubs are shutting
The venues where we gather and socialize are closing down
Our gates are closing
Opportunities and avenues for new experiences are dwindling
Our clouds are parting
Obstacles and challenges are beginning to fade away
Our sun is shining
We are currently experiencing a positive and hopeful phase in our lives
Shine a light
Illuminate the path ahead
Shine a light
Illuminate the path ahead
Shine a light
Illuminate the path ahead
Shine a light
Illuminate the path ahead
Lyrics ยฉ O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Robbie Wood, James Balmont, Dave McCracken, Austin Williams, Cavan McCarthy
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind