Biography

The Black Swans illustrate exactly what modern avant-folk should be. A gentle approach and "worn vocals," helps find a way to make even the darkest of outlooks seem positive. With one previous full length and an EP under their belt, The Black Swans use their experience and a general dissatisfaction of the world as their inspiration. "Every second of these three and a half minutes sounds familiar but dangerously askew...ignoring the laws of physics but blurring the lines between irony and a sincere wish for escape." - Pitchfork Media

LIYL: ARAB STRAP, TOM WAITS, RICHARD BUCKNER
A&C LOVES: Coats, Hope Island and Change!
*ALL FCC CLEAN!

For more info please contact APPLES AND CATS MEDIA:
nina@applesandcats.com


BIO:

Here, beside you, is the slow-burning new album by The Black Swans, Change!.
With nods to Charles Simic, the Left Banke, and Fred Neil, it is their most melodic and emotionally diverse music yet.

Whereas their debut, Who Will Walk in the Darkness with You? (2004), dove deep into the pond of existential doubt, and their self-released follow-up EP, Sex Brain (2006) examined the tragi-comic throes of intimacy, Change! deals in reconciliation and reconstruction of the spirit and self.

... it also includes the sounds of apple eating (“Purple Heart”) and word-less David Lynch style doo-wop (“Blue Moon #9”).

You see my bones
My coat is shed
Peel away the past
The epidermal dead
(from “Coats”)

It was recorded in the guitar player’s living room, mixed in the drummer’s basement, and mastered by Rob LoVerde (Springsteen and Dylan vinyl) at Sony Studios. As in the past, The Black Swans feature the broken broodings of songwriter/singer/guitarist, Jerry DeCicca and the classical, Appalachian swoop of Noel Sayre’s violin. To fund the finishing touches, DeCicca took a job for 3 months as an afternoon DJ at a strip club.

It is important to note the album cover painting, Untitled, by Debbie Porchetti, a member of Arc North Workshop. Arc North is a sheltered art workshop, a branch of Franklin County Board of MRDD. They provide services for 300 adults with developmental challenges and recognize their talents by offering an environment that reinforces their confidence and self expression. The limited edition vinyl version (LSE 007.5) features original, one of a kind artwork by workshop members who applied their expression to 500 blank album jackets.

Too, DeCicca recently co-produced the first new recordings in 30 years by former Monument recording artist Larry Jon Wilson (featured in the documentary Heartworn Highways). This new material will be released in the UK in early 2008 via 1965 Records / Sony.

Raw, pretty, and contrary, Change! is an earful.