Ep498: Birthing the End – Closing a Chapter of SWANS with Michael Gira

SWANS founder Michael Gira discusses his final orchestrated album "Birthing," his creative process, and plans to transition to a simpler musical approach after decades of creating intense, transcendent live performances.

Topics Include:

• Michael introduces "Birthing" as SWANS' final orchestrated album.
• Future SWANS work will be much simpler.
• He's 71 and finds intense performances physically demanding.
• No clear vision yet for his next musical phase.
• SWANS will tour US in October, then Europe.
• He finds Australian tours difficult due to jet lag.
• Triple vinyl/double CD includes concert film and documentary.
• Marco Porzia filmed the SWANS documentary.
• Christopher Nicholson filmed a solo performance in Norway.
• Great shows happen when "the music plays us."
• Natural venue acoustics enhance the performance experience.
• Songs transform and lengthen throughout tours.
• One song evolved to 82 minutes during tour.
• Three-hour sets leave performers exhausted afterward.
• Songs begin on acoustic guitar before band elaboration.
• He listens to guitar sound hole to hear potential harmonics.
• Directs band through gestures during live performances.
• The recording happened immediately after European tour ended.
• Uses same old Guild acoustic guitar for decades.
• Vinyl editions required some song edits for length.
• Gira doesn't listen to much music anymore.
• He art directs all SWANS releases personally.
• Created unique limited editions with handmade elements.
• Has done crowdfunding since 2000 for recording budgets.
• Once recorded personalized songs for top contributors.
• Will miss the elation of building live crescendos.
• No current plans for more fiction writing.
• Reluctant to write autobiography despite family encouragement.
• Can mentally play entire album from memory.
• Recently rediscovered early Led Zeppelin's brilliance.

Order the SWANS LP "Birthing" here.

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