New York, NY (Top40 Charts) London outfit The Swagger presents their bold new single 'Heart 'N' Soul', which is set for release on August 31. Ahead of this, the band are previewing their new video, which features a surprising story line and unexpected ending, cloaked in dark humour.
'Heart 'N' Soul' was produced by Mike
Bennett (Ian Brown, The Specials, Doctor & The Medics) with Angus Wallace (Wishbone Ash, Spiritualized, The Fall) as sound engineer. It was recorded at Far Heath Studios in Northamptonshire, famed for recordings by The Specials, The Fall and The Prodigy, among others.
This single follows their eponymous debut EP (2016), produced by Graham Bonnar (Swervedriver / The Brian Jonestown Massacre), engineered by Josh Green (Madness, Robbie Williams, Franz Ferdinand), mixed and mastered by Pat Collier (The Vibrators). It was recorded at the renowned Konk Studios in North London, founded by The Kinks' Ray and Dave Davies.
The Swagger are an indie-alternative, acoustic-pop rock band from Hornsey, North London UK formed in 2011. The band consists of brothers Lee
Stevens (lead vocals, rhythm guitar) and Paul
Stevens (lead guitar, backing vocals), together with Will O'Connell (bass guitar). Originally playing small London pubs and clubs as The Mad Hatters UK, The Swagger was born in 2011 when the brothers were joined by their friend Will O'Connell.
'Heart 'N' Soul' is a confessional love song based on admiring one's beauty from a far. Here we find an easy-to-catch old school vibe in a melody fitting for the here and now.
"I wanted to write a catchy British indie melodic pop tune with great harmonies with a dark edge to it. I rather fancied a girl at the time and wanted to express the way i felt about her. The song pretty much wrote itself. Simplicity was the key. This is a love song with a Kinks and
Madness vibe, listening to these bands who have inspired me for many years now," says Lee Stevens.
With influences including The Beatles, The Kinks, Oasis, The Who, Ocean Colour Scene, and Stereophonics, The Swagger's music is modern acoustic pop-rock with a catchy yet gritty aesthetic, combining melodic 60's style harmonies and classic 90's Britpop indie-alternative.
The band has supported Creation Records' Hurricane #1, arranged through supporter Alan McGee, as well as Slydigs, in addition to headlining The Cavern Club in Liverpool for the International Pop Festival 2017. Their impressive live show has earned them support from not only McGee, but also John Power (The La's, Cast).
As of August 31, The Swagger's new single will be available through online stores and streaming platforms. The band is also offering a free download of the track via Bandcamp or
Music Glue.
The Swagger's single release show will take place on August 24 at London's 02 Academy Islington (stage time 6:00 pm) as part of 'Loud in London' Festival, featuring bands such as Toploader, Republica, Space and EMF, among others. On
September 1, they play an unplugged set at The Islington, 1 Tolpuddle Street (stage time 4:30 pm).
Lee
Stevens - Lead Vocals, Acoustic Guitar
Paul
Stevens - Rhythm/Lead Guitar, Bass Guitar, Backing Vocals
Roger Malaquias - Drums
Written by Lee
Stevens & Paul Stevens
Recorded by The Swagger 2018
Produced by Mike
Bennett & The Swagger
Recorded at Far Heath studios, Long Buckby Northamptonshire UK
Engineered, Mixed & Mastered by Angus Wallace
Cover artwork by Lee Stevens
Music video created by Electric Copper Films Ltd
Produced by Tina Emmett
Directed & Editing by Ben Coen