aaamusic | On 15, May 2012

Swimming will return with a new double-A-sided single this June. The beautiful ‘I Do (Come True)’ / ‘All Things Made New (Stand)’ will see a release on June 11 via Tummy Touch, and is taken from the band’s sophomore album, ‘Ecstatics International’. The Nottingham-based five-piece, who were recently joined by Sam Potter from Late of the Pier, will also take to the road this May, in part showcasing their innovative binaural live show. This run of dates features an extraordinary show at The Hague, and a London stop at the Star of Kings on May 18.
Swimming’s immersive and eclecticwash of sounds has earned them comparisons with almost a hundred different artists across their two acclaimed albums. Yet from Yeasayer to The Flaming Lips, and Gang Gang Dance through Eno, the band retains a hard-to-pin-down quality that feels inherently ‘Swimming’. It’s a duality that’s all there across the two sides of this single. ‘I Do (Come True)’ is a rich, star-gazing love song, buoyed by washes of guitars, lilting keys and lead singer John Sampson’s soulful falsetto. In stark sonic contrast, ‘All Things Made New (Stand)’ is an upbeat and euphoric piece of unique-pop, mixing tempos and textures with a fluidity that befits a band called Swimming.

Swimming are fast earning a reputation for their binaural live shows, which were described by Drowned In Sound as a “a largely experimental, highly innovative and beautiful visual and aural experience.” The band’s collaboration with sonic artist Dallas Simpson allows both audience and band to break from traditional live conventions. Whilst performing from an adjacent room to the crowd, the sound created by Swimming travels into miniature microphones in Dallas’ ears; and from there to the audiences’ headphones, who’re watching the live stream separately. It is – says John – “like a sonic spotlight. Dallas walks amongst the band, and as he does, each person in the audience is hearing the same thing, as him, like they are with us as we play.” This gives each audience member an unusually intimate connection with the music, as they experience the songs via another person’s ears (in true 3D surround sound). The band will also be streaming these gigs live via their website where possible.
To the outside spectator, the crowd is watching a silent gig: some with their eyes closed, others clapping an invisible band. But as Simpson explains, “my movement through that room allows for creative spatial choreography. You can unfold a narrative in real time.” Sampson, Simpson and Swimming collectively have since taken this technology and ran with it. They have performed immersive live spectacles in venues as varied as cinemas, beaches, and churches; collaborating with choirs, developing plot-lines, and even inspiring an invite to play at the Hague in the process. Swimming have created a means of playing live that presents their sound in a way that envelops you like no other.
The release of their new single sees Swimming take another visual step-up. With the ‘All Things Made New (Stand)’ clip being directed by John himself, ‘I Do (Come True)’ saw the band work with director Tom Walsh. The stunning results document the story of the last human left alive – their mission is to implant DNA on a strange world, in order to begin new life in the universe. It’s an oddly fitting image for a band on their own unique path, constantly in pursuit of the new.
May 12 Walk The Line Festival,
The Hague Binaural Show (Stream TBC)
May 15 Bristol Binaural Show (Secret Venue / Stream TBC)
May 17 Nottingham Binaural Show (Secret Venue / Stream TBC)
May 18 London Star Of Kings– Full Live Show
May 20 Chorlton Arts Festival,
Manchester Binaural Show (St Ninian’s Church / Steam TBC)