PopMatters is moving to WordPress. We will publish a few essays daily while we develop the new site. We hope the beta will be up sometime late next week.
Tags
Recent
Interviews
Finding the Image: Michael Gira Talks Swans' Creative Process
Michael Gira discusses the mistake that led to a critical part of the latest Swans album, building a collective mind, and the art of Francis Bacon.
02 Aug 2016
Music
Swans: The Gate
Michael Gira’s lauded experimental rock group returns with an apocalyptic shriek.
25 Oct 2015
Music
Swans: Oxygen EP
Revealing the true horsepower behind the Swans’ "Oxygen", this four-song collection should be handled by a professional driver on a closed course.
25 Nov 2014
Music
The Seer Guides Us to Be Kind: Ten Great Songs by Swans 2.0
Following their "reconstitution", Swans have put out three albums since 2010. PopMatters examines the best material the innovative rock band has put out during that time.
14 May 2014
Music
The Knife and the Blood That Ensues: An Interview with Swans
PopMatters speaks with Swans frontman Michael Gira about the band's "joyous" new double LP, To Be Kind, covering everything from its undulating rhythms to its original titillating cover art.
12 May 2014
Music
Swans: To Be Kind
To Be Kind is a punishing exploration of rhythm and groove as only Swans can do it.
11 May 2014
Music
The Transcendant Power of Extreme Music
Genres like metal can be experienced as a cleansing agent, removed of anger, sadness, pleasure, and bereft of space and origin. Momentarily, you are negated, a joyous flipside to nihilism.
03 Oct 2013
Music
Sturm und Swans: Stalking 'The Seer'
The end result of Swan's recent The Seer is a place where Gira’s demons, sages, and baffled, bruised mortals do the jig of life alongside the dance macabre, and the gentleness of John the Baptist rides upon the rage of Jehovah.
Arthur Smith
19 Sep 2012
Music
The Seer Returns: An Interview with Swans' Michael Gira
Upon the release of Swans' 12th album, Michael Gira opens up about why this is not a Swans reunion album, music piracy, and what fans can expect from the upcoming tour.
Matt Spencer
27 Aug 2012
Music
Swans: My Father Will Guide Me Up a Rope to the Sky
Michael Gira's legendary Swans return from over a decade of silence to create a heart-stopping album of sin, death, hope, and reclamation.
27 Sep 2010
Performing Arts
20 Questions: Genesis Breyer P-Orridge
Genesis Breyer P-Orridge warns PopMatters 20 Questions readers, "Pleasure is a cultural weapon. Use it wisely."
09 Dec 2008
Music
Psychic TV/PTV3: Mr. Alien Brain vs. the Skinwalkers
In the shadow of the passing of Lady Jaye, Genesis P-Orridge sounds worn, defeated by the realities of this world.
02 Dec 2008
Music
Michael Gira in His Own Words
Even after decades of creating powerful music, first through Swans and now with Angels of Light, Michael Gira finds the creative process mysterious, chaotic and a little frightening.
Jennifer Kelly
29 Oct 2007
Music
Perpetual Motion: An Interview with Akron/Family
With its third album in two years Akron/Family takes another snapshot of its continuously evolving musical journey. Meek Warrior's free jazz freak outs may surprise some fans, but bass player Miles Seaton shrugs it off, saying, 'We just want to keep capturing wherever we are along the way.'
Jennifer Kelly
10 Oct 2006
Reviews
Features
PM Picks
© 1999-2020 PopMatters.com. All rights reserved.
PopMatters is wholly independent, women-owned and operated.