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)
World I Share
Swim Deep Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But as long as you're still here
I will treat this world
As one I share with you
Because all the rest goes by like passing cars
But not you
You make me drunk, on memories of hope!
Now I love your soul
You're braver than Broadway
And brighter than Sunday
I may not always be so lucky
But as long as I'm a loser
I will treat this world, as one that I won
And I know that I can feel like distant skies, sometimes
But we love each other, don't you worry babe
I know that I, I can be loved
Now I love your soul
You're braver than Broadway
And brighter than Sunday
Love is what we share
Its what we breath, its in the streets and in the air
Love is what we share
Its what we breath, its in the streets and in the air
In the first verse, Swim Deep acknowledges that their relationship may not always be a romantic one, but as long as the other person is still present in their life, they will treat the world as something they share together. They emphasize the fleeting nature of other things in life, comparing them to passing cars, but the person they are addressing is different; they have a profound impact on Swim Deep, making them feel intoxicated with memories of hope.
In the second verse, Swim Deep expresses the realization that they can be loved, and now they have fallen in love with the other person's soul. They admire the person's bravery, comparing them to Broadway, which is often associated with courage and audacity, and their brightness, which surpasses even the cheerfulness of a Sunday.
Moving on to the third verse, Swim Deep acknowledges that they may not always be fortunate or successful, but as long as they remain a "loser," they will still regard the world as one that they have conquered. Despite the challenges and occasional feeling of distance, they reassure their loved one that they love each other, implying that there is no need to worry about their relationship.
The repeating chorus emphasizes the importance of love in their relationship and their lives. Swim Deep describes love as something they share and breathe, an omnipresent force that can be felt in the streets and in the air. It signifies the deep connection and unity between them and highlights the significance of love in their existence.
Overall, "World I Share" captures the idea of a relationship transcending traditional boundaries and expectations. Swim Deep recognizes that their connection with the other person goes beyond romance, sharing a profound bond that influences their perception of the world. They find solace and strength in their love, even amidst uncertainty and challenges.
Line by Line Meaning
I may not always be your lover
I may not always fulfill the traditional role of a romantic partner
But as long as you're still here
But as long as you remain present in my life
I will treat this world
I will perceive and interact with the world
As one I share with you
As a world that belongs to both of us
Because all the rest goes by like passing cars
Because everything else seems trivial and transient
But not you
Except for you
You make me drunk, on memories of hope!
You intoxicate me with nostalgic feelings of optimism
I know that I, I can be loved
I have come to realize that I am capable of being loved
Now I love your soul
Now I truly appreciate and cherish your essence
You're braver than Broadway
You possess courage that surpasses even the grandeur of Broadway
And brighter than Sunday
And radiate a brilliance that outshines the tranquility of Sundays
I may not always be so lucky
I may not always experience good fortune
But as long as I'm a loser
But as long as I continue to face setbacks and failures
I will treat this world, as one that I won
I will view the world as a victory in itself
And I know that I can feel like distant skies, sometimes
And I am aware that at times I may feel emotionally distant
But we love each other, don't you worry babe
But our love for each other endures, so there's no need to worry, darling
Love is what we share
Love is the bond between us
Its what we breath, its in the streets and in the air
It permeates our existence, present in every aspect of life
Love is what we share
Love is the foundation of our connection
Its what we breath, its in the streets and in the air
It sustains us, surrounding us everywhere
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Oliver Horton, Robbie Wood, James Balmont, Cavan McCarthy, Dave McCracken, Austin Williams
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind