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)
The Sea
Swim Deep Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And tell me what it is that you wanna be
I said go, down to the sea
And tell me what it is that you wanna be
Gonna' take this boat and drive it out into the sea
Gonna' fly this place so high that I won't know what's real
Gonna' paint the sky so red that I won't wanna feel
'Cause I can feel it, I can see it,
Yeah I wanna show anybody who wants to see it
'Cause I can feel it,
And I won't be there to see
Got something, got something to say
Got something, got something to say
Can you see it in your thoughts?
Can you reach it does it make you wanna walk
Can you taste it any feeling that you got
Tell me something over nothing ain't so wrong
'Cause I can feel it, I can see it,
Yeah I wanna show anybody who wants to see it
'Cause I can feel it,
And I won't be there to see
What you, don't know
Is that I'm feeling strong
I'll have my eyes set on you
Forever
Got something, got something to say
Got something, got something to say
Got something, got something to say
Got something, got something to say
Got something if you only, only, only stay
The lyrics of Swim Deep's "The Sea" convey a sense of desire for escape and search for identity. The first lines urge the listener to go to the sea and evaluate what they want to be. It suggests that the sea, with its vast and endless space, can allow for introspection and discovery of oneself. The song then progresses to the idea of taking a boat and flying away, away from the constraints of the real world. The desire to paint the sky red and not feel restrained by what parents and society dictate as real is a liberating thought.
The repetition of "I can feel it, I can see it" highlights the conviction of the singer in his vision of escape and self-discovery. It is as if he has a clear picture of his desires and is confident in his ability to achieve that vision. The song ends with the line "Got something if you only, only, only stay," suggesting that the singer is encouraging the listener to join him in his desire for escape and self-discovery.
"The Sea" addresses themes of identity, self-discovery, and escape. Swim Deep's lyrics encourage the listener to escape society's predetermined notions of what is real and instead explore their own desires and identity. The song is both introspective and uplifting, inspiring the listener to take control of their life and dreams.
Line by Line Meaning
Go down to the sea
Take a trip to the ocean
And tell me what it is that you wanna be
Reflect on your desires and aspirations
Gonna' take this boat and drive it out into the sea
Take control of your life and pursue your dreams
Gonna' fly this place so high that I won't know what's real
Escape reality
Gonna' paint the sky so red that I won't wanna feel
Create a new reality or perspective
What my mama and my daddy said was real
Challenge the reality and beliefs passed down from family
'Cause I can feel it, I can see it,
The desire for self-expression and sharing it with others
Yeah I wanna show anybody who wants to see it
The desire to be recognized for creative expression
And I won't be there to see
The realization that the legacy created will be experienced by others after the creator's life has ended
Can you see it in your thoughts?
The desire for visualization of one's aspirations
Can you reach it does it make you wanna walk
The drive to work towards one's aspirations
Can you taste it any feeling that you got
The desire for a fulfilling and satisfying experience
Tell me something over nothing ain't so wrong
The belief that expressing oneself is better than being silent or conforming
What you don't know
Internal confidence and motivation
Is that I'm feeling strong
The feeling of strength and empowerment
I'll have my eyes set on you
The drive to succeed and be recognized
Forever
Persevering towards one's goals for the rest of one's life
Got something, got something to say
The desire for self-expression and the drive to share with others
Got something if you only, only, only stay
The belief that other people can play a role in achieving one's goals through support and encouragement
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: ZACK ROBINSON, AUSTIN WILLIAMS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
HiHo44
Great tune, great recording as usual and a happy video. Hat trick!
Abbie h
Both of their albums are so amazing and this song is one of the reasons why
This Leprechaun Writes
So 90s.
We need a 90s COMEBACK!
hummusbrain
I love this band! just real people having fun thats what its all about:)
gdkg gded
This is my fav song by you guys! I love you so much hope I'll see you one day
natalie marie
this was amazing live! love them
Bayan Mirzakeyeva
Omg, I begin to love these guys so much... They're awesome!
Anna M Preza
Love it guys! :)
xeshtaed
Their videos always make me smile.
Robert Nicol
got it on repeat, LOVE. x