Michael Gira of Swans - Interview (Episode 93)

An interview with Michael Gira of Swans at their rehearsal space in Palenville, NY.
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[@MercuryClock]

Gira's really a surprisingly nice guy in person. My friends and I saw Swans perform last Sunday, and he came to the merch table after the show. One of us mentioned that the volume was painful without earplugs, and his response was "hah, well I don't want to cause anyone any pain!"

[@quantumpiss4206]

Well back in the no wave era he used to step on people's fingers and pull their hair live. And he would attack anyone headbanging.

[@quantumpiss4206]

I'm super late lol

[@user-bf6gz8ej4o]

@@quantumpiss4206 what the fucking hell? Why?

[@cfc6276]

@@user-bf6gz8ej4o I mean intense aggression and violence at live shows were a big part of that scene

[@user-bf6gz8ej4o]

@@cfc6276 that's not a valid argument imo lol.

[@lucifersam99]

Saw Swans a while ago. As Gira was trying to make his way through the audience to go have a smoke, he kinda brushed past me and a few others while grumbling "Outta the way- ya fuckin' hippies!" or somethin' like that. I personally thought it was hilarious.

[@eosapienrancher4045]

Damn, a 60-year-old white man who pretends to be a cowboy and complains about hippies. Transgressive

[@Jason-uc7yz]

farwood LMAO

[@mattycfox]

He had you sussed then. ✌🏼

[@Jacksmusicshack]

LMAO Class act though

[@LunaticTheCat]

I would be honored lol

[@joesmith172]

Michael Gira should be in a David Lynch movie.

[@LegitFUry]

He should be David Lynch.

[@terasophe6205]

He pretty much is a David Lynch movie.

[@NW23Champ]

i was just telling a friend how he'd be perfectly cast as the cowboy if mulholland drive ever gets remade.

[@ggthewhale]

Keyser Sozë i swear i first thought the cowboy was gira

[@ericbryant6097]

a smart alleck

[@CandleLightDoesThings]

Nice to see nice, happy, smiling Gira

[@jeffw2004]

John Doe kind of like a Swan.

[@jamestank7653]

nice

[@ebbtide4233]

he somehow seems like a nice dude and is super scary at the same time

[@ilyas_elouchihi]

Agreed

[@doxskew2221]

Hes reminds me of like a teacher thats really cool but you dont wanna get on his bad side

[@solartea_]

well you read his biography and hes literally a tarantino character

[@ebbtide4233]

@@solartea_ damn ill have to check that out im intrigued

[@DerpASherpa117]

There's something inherently existential about their music. It cuts right through the bullshit and hits at the heart of what makes people uncomfortable, and then makes you relish that discomfort the more you keep listening, because their rhythms are almost hypnotic despite being purposely dissonant and atonal at times. That's difficult to do and especially coming back after a decade and sounding similar but still doing albums that are completely new.

[@sy17_]

perfectly said

[@flashfire505]

Holy shit, The Seer was in one take?

[@ninjafuytp5017]

Holy fuck

[@Sighbot]

HOLY FUCK!

[@fraoulduke]

Holy Fuck

[@ferouihamza]

HOLY FUCK!

[@davidcoto15]

Holy FUCK

[@franticpedantic]

This guy is honestly just the coolest fuckin' dude.

[@ScumOfCaligula]

The cool thing about Gira, I think, is that he's made some of the heaviest music ever but he seems to not take himself too seriously. Like you look at those "metal/hardcore" guys and they're trying so hard to look hard and scary -- it's bullshit, ya know?

[@nekozombie]

Dick Richards 100%

[@midasbaijense8379]

Most metal bands who try to look 'scary' don't take themselves that seriously either. They're just being theatrical/campy.

[@coltonc8562]

Dick Richards yeah I remember being a little baby punk when I was 16 in Charlotte NC playing a venue that got tore down soon after and this one really friendly veteran of the scene pulled me aside and sorta warned me of that. "These guys will try to make you believe they wake up every morning in a pile of their own vomit." Is a sentence I won't soon forget.

[@Based_Stuhlinger]

God I hate nothing more than that metalcore trash, I am convinced it's the worst music out there. Regular metal and other subgenres are great though.

[@Based_Stuhlinger]

@Mate Eternal All metalcore is just noise, mate. Regular metal has more progressive elements and doesn't have the drumkit doing the same thing the entire song with cringe juvenile vocals. Crossover thrash is a good example of punk and metal working but core genres just sounds terrible

[@domsawyer8953]

I love Michael's authenticity.

[@lukecockburn1140]

Me also

[@fuzzydunlop4513]

Hey look it's a No Wave artist that's kind and respectful in person

[@jkam2393]

**Cough** James Chance **cough**

[@thegucc593]

arto lindsay and john lurie are pretty respectful

[@bronghusphidalski522]

lydia is far from the face of the scene dont worry about her

[@TheBradcake]

"Peace song or whatever it is" I love this guy

[@Poopmannn]

Piece

[@8aarhive815]

4:24 omg the little swan duck things are so adorable

[@BurningSpear213]

He is definitely a funny guy, sometimes at the expense of the audience, but still funny.

[@punkpotatoes]

nice Oneohtrix shirt

[@soppsau]

oh damn didnt even notice his shirt. r plus 7 aoty 2013 btw

[@videotrash]

wow, i'd never have guessed from simply his music how likeable this guy appears to be. but then again, if i could have, the music wouldn't be as literally insanely awesome, as it is.

[@benschoman9416]

yeah many artists who make really dark and heavy music aber super nice and likeable in person, at least from you can tell in Interviews/their social media

[@numbnuts375]

⁠@@benschoman9416I think it requires a certain sensitivity and humanity to make and appreciate that sort of music. Sometimes they are just psycho tho

[@stuartfishman1044]

One of the heaviest, most overwhelming bands ever to hit a stage.

[@funnel6106]

2:36 every Swans song known to man

[@grenadine-3-3-3]

make 10+ minutes as well

[@beflygelt]

damn he's incredibly humbly

[@Zhuntovany.Kavalir]

hes submissive.

[@CB-qg3yh]

Not a word buddy

[@Daniel-ew5qf]

@@Zhuntovany.Kavalir if you went to his concert you'd take it back. though, if you already have, then why in the world would you think so!

[@reginageorge5088]

I saw them 2 days ago and told him he had a really beautiful smile :)

[@MadamLolz]

Michael Gira is so fucking ethereal I’m in love. ❤️ thank you for creating

[@Jacksmusicshack]

Cowboy Gira. Coming to theaters sometimes whenever he feels like it. Michael Gira: "what?" 🤣

[@Tordah90]

Gonna see them next week!!!!!!!!!!! Pure sonic bliss awaits!!!

[@DeadWhiteButterflies]

I think that's the most comfortable I've ever seen him in an interview.

[@ohen]

You will see me ... two more times.

[@crazzzysean800]

Love Love Love Your work:)

[@maxautunno]

great interview. you can tell the dude is a fan

[@big_man_on_the_scene]

this whole video is still at least twice as short than one modern day swans long

[@peepnox7747]

Love this band

[@nathansmith9551]

Comparing him to God? Really? I mean come on, he may be good, he may be great, but he is NO Michael Gira!!

[@cranklabexplosion-labcentr8245]

1:37 I bet that Jim Morrison painting is the one from pawn starts lol

[@NikoHL]

Swans just popped up randomly on my Spotify.. I heard this music and thought WTF is that?? They are freakin awesome..

[@sex6cult9revolution]

It's true - he is mostly pleasant (and genuine) in person. But I'm never seen him look this HAPPY. But then, shit, if I as kickin' it upstate - somewhere like that - I think I'd be happier too.

[@L0ngfellow9]

So I'm a new fan, I just got the Seer out of the blue and I'm loving it, but I'm really surprized this guy's not some deranged brooding Russian maniac, haha. He's not acting when not onstage and that's really admirable.

[@playedescapade]

His smile kills me.

[@Fireguy65]

Touissant!!! L’Ouverture!!!$

[@noisesandwich]

♥Michael Gira♥

[@thecrikster]

Absolutely. I think one of the few metal bands I can respect are the deftones, because they are more interested in creating a mood rather than "trying" to be scary.

[@lamentate07]

really? People still say that? I remember mags like Terrorizer claiming that back in the mid 90's before Swans disappeared, but i'm surprised people say that now. Then again, perhaps not, because they have become 'trendy' again. I'd say that Swans are 'scarier/heavier' than most metal bands, if only because Gira doesn't hide as much behind imagery and cliched metaphors. There is less posing, less window dressing. and i love metal btw.

[@jamesdoctor8079]

had a really emotional experience seeing that old scientic atlanta cable box with time reading 2:01 @ 3:39

[@andreiiancu2501]

I love that guy

[@1shyy524]

Why is everyone calling him scary? Literally every swans video i see people call Gira scary? He’s fucking humble af wym?

[@cowboydan8021]

Have you read The Consumer?

[@kriskenard]

quite insightful

[@URGHism]

Some metal musicians definitely try way too hard to look tough or scary, but most of them (even the ones with infamously stupid attire, like Manowar or Immortal) take themselves about as seriously as Michael Gira does.

[@heart3356]

nice to see morrison on th wal

[@yanille4109]

love this dude, super genuine and well spoken

[@d3athr0ck3r]

Micheal Gira can laugh and smile.....

[@lynchmaleideal]

Is it me, or Gira looks a lot skinnier and younger in the interview than he does in the shots of him in the studio?

[@thenyquilchannel8738]

Gira is such an interesting person

[@UpperCrustthe3rd]

nice interview.

[@BubblingSyphilisSund]

Also, he doesn't let the music he makes dictate anything else about his life. His music is heavy, yes. But he's not wearing what you'd expect someone who makes the music he does to wear. He's an amazing, complex guy.

[@nedd.8479]

For some reason, his accent reminds me of John Malkovich.

[@herakleitus]

The Lizard King looks on in the background, green with envy

[@chusmaestro]

Do anyone noticed that Gira's voice sounds exactly like JOHN WAYNE?

[@aerokraft]

voice of god

[@Gambitheart]

Anyone else noticed jim morrison behind in the jamming studio..

[@classinstrument]

Pretty sure the interviewer in this is named Alex(?)--kinda bums me out there's no mention of him anywhere in this as he contributed to a great convo.

[@etiennec9650]

what is the song that starts at 1:45 ?

[@mildmagician2764]

Thor Harris is an underrated drummer

[@unaaaaaaa1934]

COWBOY

[@twelvefireflies]

is that a BC Rich Warlock in the background?

[@ericmsandoval]

oh I know.

[@juda4568]

Nesesito una foto con el.

[@auralepiphanies4055]

Yeah he has really changed, I think for the better

[@_Wakaz_]

Gira is based.

[@Jamesp1972]

The Seer is a bit Emperor's New Clothes for me, much prefer the seemingly more considered and varied mid-period stuff like Soundtracks, and Children of God

[@joeclark572]

Anybody have info/name of the studio they are rehearsing in?

[@URGHism]

Your comment was basically correct, it's just that Swans fans have a really annoying tendency to bash metal or punk (but usually focusing on metal) while praising Swans, usually in the context of "Swans are way scarier/heavier than any of those immature metal/punk morons!". It's a trend that I've become completely sick of, which was why I was more abrasive than I perhaps should have been (you should probably avoid that yourself, btw).

[@URGHism]

I wasn't into music back then so I can't really comment, but it seems likely that Swans' current popularity is a factor in the attitude being common nowadays. I actually agree that Swans are darker, heavier and scarier than most metal (mainly because most metal isn't particularly dark, heavy or scary on its own terms); it's the whole "metal is for manchildren" angle of the attitude that bugs me.

[@DerpASherpa117]

Because there's something inherently existential about their music. It cuts right through the bullshit and hits at the heart of what makes people uncomfortable, and then makes you relish that discomfort once you keep listening, because their rhythms are almost hypnotic despite being purposely dissonant and atonal at times. That's difficult to do.

[@redshaftedflicker]

Hey kid, he answered you-FEAR OF DEATH. Next time I see Gira I will present him with a Cuban cigar.

[@HateDisease]

How so, what did he do? Details, we want details!

[@eatpanda118]

Where in upstate ny? dacks?

[@goldbridgesapprentice6925]

Did he say "urgency" that's ironic

[@asskirk]

mhm

[@CharlesMontgomeryBurns.]

What was that song playing in the beginning?

[@tite93]

Sounds like something out of the glowing man

[@solartemptations6390]

All Swans music sounds like perfect soundtrack from unreleased Lynch movie.

[@PentagramSchematic]

pretty strange seeing Gira smile

[@sawmain6339]

Michael was pretty down to earth in person. Not as abrasive as some might perceive

[@-thirteen]

Bench

[@user-ch4et9gw4k]

Michael Gira is basically Nick Offerman of real life

[@BassPlayer11235]

in and out and in and out aga ai ai ai ai ai ain

[@lamentate07]

Yeah i can't stand that attitude either, mostly because it presumes that metal hasn't 'grown up' from the 80's--which is complete B.S--and also because it assumes there is only one level of engagement. So if you like Manowar, for example, you must be stupid because the music is stupid. but there are plenty of ways to engage with their music imo, even if it isn't 'sophisticated'. People that use the 'man child' angle generally no nothing about metal, so their opinions are irrelevant.

[@mypaldan]

Do people listen to Swans for the same reason they lie on beds of nails?

[@uraneusfoe]

by what everyone's saying, yes, but that's what's fun about art

[@enolAngnm]

well, he was a jerk when i met him..

[@turqdeth]

Hes changed for the better but im sorry you had to deal with that

[@veilenedream5825]

@@turqdeth hey, thanks :).

[@Demention94]

The "problem" with this guy is he takes his art seriously.

[@ColombianThunder]

Why is that a "problem"

[@spacefertilizer]

that's the dumbest shit i've heard in a while. who wants to listen or look at a creation which even its creator doesn't take seriously?

[@abcdefzhij]

ITT: people not noticing quotation marks

[@SwitchbIade]

theres a difference between taking your art seriously and being a pretentious asshole. gira takes his art seriously , but isnt a pretentious asshole.

[@yaboi2500]

@@spacefertilizer Exactly. Even Ween, what with their weird as fuck music and vulgar lyrics, took their stuff seriously.

[@larmondoflairallen4705]

If you are struggling to get into his music, and you are wondering why, I'll let you in on a secret. It's because it isn't very good to begin with. If you hang around long enough and give off the vibe that you are deep and meaningful, you will eventually get a cult following that will swoon over you. I give him credit for accomplishing that much, though.

[@youtubeuserdan4017]

How do you say so? I can understand not liking Swans' music (or any even any artist's music) but how could you speak for other people and give them the reason of why they don't like his music?

[@nicknickson3650]

"if you are struggling to get into his music" I'm not, I loved it immediately

[@yaboi2500]

My guy, you listen to The Rolling Stones and Robert Palmer. You can’t say anything about music being bad or good when you listen to actual worthless trash.

[@carsonnichols7428]

@@yaboi2500 my guy, op is an idiot, but how are you gonna go and call one of the most popular bands of all time garbage

[@yaboi2500]

@@carsonnichols7428 Because they are. They’re massively outclassed by their “rivals” (like The Beatles and The Kinks), and they’re even worse when compared to bands throughout the decades.