Swans 1995 - 97, interview with Michael Gira

Swans - interview with Michael Gira for Czech Television
documentary from autumn 1995 SWANS European tour, Czech Republic 1997
director: Petr Matas, Why not music videos?
director of photography, editing: Petr Matas, Why not music videos?
#MusicDocumentary #swans #michaelgira #jarboe

[@willo7734]

Helpless Child is the greatest song ever created by homo sapiens

[@PetrMatas]

Will S it's not far from truth

[@Koettnylle]

It's like you ignore the whole cromagnon scene on purpose

[@GamesWithBrainz]

what about homo erectus

[@TheDATominator]

My vote for that is The Sound

[@dtanaka869-d]

It's definitely in my top 5

[@darrenbrown7037]

A lot of these comments are 10+ years old, people loving so much on this band, having no idea what was soon to come. Seer, To Be Kind, and Glowing man. It's just amazing. They floored people for decades and then came out with some of their most powerful and mature music so late in their journey. It just proves that Swans were everything we're all saying and more.

[@PetrMatas]

did you see Marco Porcia's film about Swans "Where The Body Ends"?

[@alexandermuratis]

@@PetrMatas Incredible documentary

[@dms8504]

Sorry but Swans V2.0 (Seer, etc) is a bit of a yawn unfortunately.

[@DarrenBrown-ht7bg]

@@dms8504 To each their own, but have to disagree with you, especially The Seer, it's a masterpiece and their best work to my ears.

[@charmicarmicat2981]

The footage of The Sound is amazing

[@PetrMatas]

Evan Drane thanks

[@urrrccckostan]

"Czech Television???!!! you mean there is actually a country on this planet where music like Swans gets shown on TV????????? I'm moving there!!!!!!"

[@ReplyequalsNerd]

man this comment is old. Did you wind up moving there ?

[@roy_for_real2674]

Def in the nineties/zeroes

[@hubertkoncewicz5164]

I’m from Poland and in my opinion Czech is the most civilised slavic country there is - they’re very into culture, reading, open minded, atheistic and beautiful(cities, nature) country of lovely people

[@urrrccckostan]

@@ReplyequalsNerdhaha, no, never did

[@nihilnoise]

most underrated band ever they deserve more

[@DJSquampy]

Maybe 14 years ago. Things sure changed.

[@redder0118]

@@DJSquampy they are much more popular now, for the better. they still deserve more nonetheless

[@Climekx]

seeing them play live was unreal

[@nitroaltred]

I first discovered SWANS in 1987, and still today they make such a big impression on me. I can stop doin whatever I might be doin, and just disapear into their music whenever a Swans song comes up in my playlists. No matter what Swans-era. The last time I saw them was in 1997. Will never forget that moment.

[@timee3221]

nitroaltred wow that's cool

[@JoseGranny]

I wish I would have known of them since the eighties. I'm late to this party.

[@CoasterWatch]

Wow. I wish I was alive so I could see that. I still love and appreciate them and the fact that I can listen to their music whenever is beautiful, and I have a ton of favorite artists from this recent era, but swans are different. The amount of money I’d pay to see helpless child and the sound live back in the 90s is honestly unfathomable. But I’m really happy people got to experience that and tell their stories about it

[@marcellix]

I found them at pre teen 1987 at 10 held the cassette tape like a bible I'm 44 now seen them first in 1995 🤠 in San Francisco world of skin/swans jarboe was beautiful there...

[@honeycomblord9384]

@@CoasterWatch And that live version of Blood Promise in the flesh. That would be unforgettable.

[@woobiehastelly]

That guitar tone, even in these choppy faint clips, is incredible to listen to. I'm blown away.

[@dannycheesums]

Well, 12 years later, thank you to the original uploader, as this video is what got me into Swans in the first place. Became a massive fan in 2008 and then my luck was in as they reformed not long after.

[@PetrMatas]

You are welcome. I made this video as an interview two years later after I attended the 4 Swans live shows in Europe 1995. On that several shows I discovered the two (for me) essential Swans 95 tracks: "Helpless Child" and "The Sound". I was so excited to hear that and have the camera to archive it for later. I still think that this interview with Helpless Child, Killing For Company and The Sound tracks is the very best of what I ever created as a video. Bit pathetic, but true.

[@albert-xn9bl]

It's an important historical record of a critical period in Swans and M. Gira's artistic development.... you should be proud, this video has been very illuminating for myself and countless others (especially those who have really only experienced Swans in the context of their reformation... thankfully it seems Soundtracks and this particular era have been overshadowed and transcended, though hopefully not overlooked

[@alvareo92]

@@PetrMatas did you record the live shows with film?

[@PetrMatas]

@@alvareo92 no, it was s-vhs panasonic camera. but the look is massively edited with high contrast workflow and conversion from 50 half video frames to 25 full frames with disabled video interlacing. the workflow that i have developed in 90’ to be able use video cameras instead of the film cameras which is too expensive for the two hours live shows. i have used to capture something with 8mm or 16mm film cameras, but not for the swans european tour at 1995. thank you for the good question because it looks like you cannot recognize it is not the film material in the swans video and i didn´t fail with it. the film look is the key.

[@derby378]

I've heard "old" Swans, "new" Swans, and "post-Jarboe" Swans as well as Skin. It's all beautiful in its own brutal and magnificent way. Now get off my lawn!

[@schwarzblatt]

I love both SWANS eras equally. The early stuff is so incredibly brutal while the latter is ornate in its majestic minimalism. Both great.

[@xandrafuhrer]

And Great Annihilator / Soundtracks for the Blind are this perfect gateway between their two eras. Has the rough asymmetrical beauty of the early stuff and the hauntingly intricate transcendence of their 2010's trilogy. Also, jarboe.

[@dannycheesums]

Swans Are Dead is the live album from this period, and to me it’s their greatest release

[@နှင်းဆီ-ခ၈ရ]

greatest thing they've ever released and greatest thing they will ever release

[@mysonbased]

@@နှင်းဆီ-ခ၈ရ na that shit was boooring

[@smokemystogies9063]

​@@mysonbasedWho would've thought an ambient post rock band could be boring what a fucking mystery, boring and bad music aren't synonymous either

[@MarsCoban]

Michael Gira: most important artist of the last quarter century.

[@Borntohula69]

Absolutely fascinating music

[@Daniel_Delayne]

Jarboe looks and sounds so mythic here 🙌🏻🖤

[@cantlovethis]

Most of what you hear is from the "Soundtracks For The Blind" album, which was their last studio album. It is by far my favorite record, but is often misunderstood. The work is truly a masterpiece.

[@jacob8949]

"...their last studio album" 5 albums later, I hope you've enjoyed the resurrection!

[@chost-059]

Time capsule

[@ryannMW7]

Wow.

[@rottenrazcal]

Swans are the gift that keeps on giving. Every album is different, but perfect in its own way. I love the early bludgeoning stuff, and the later, more sophisticated work. Even all the solo records. My favorite band in the effin' world. I cannot tell you how much I love this group.

[@Demention94]

"Sort of a love song about being that person" ..How romantic...

[@utqiagvik1991]

Michael Gira with Czech subtitles is peak of art.

[@grimlockenator]

Michael Gira.. Your words fill me with hope and longing...

[@L1terally_Me]

Look at that lad ! Responding to comments on a 14 year old video. How nice !

[@PetrMatas]

24 years old video, i made it in the year 1997 i guess. the most important video i ever made for sure.

[@imajica211]

helpless child, killing for company, the sound and I Crawled

[@chost-059]

Wow this is an old gem

[@ab-bd1kt]

just discovered Swans... wow

[@Crapoop765]

I need to die to this music.

[@someguy779]

Nolan Jenkins nonsense, he's already made the decision to listen to swans it's inevitable...

[@Sighbot]

Dying to “The Sound” (Swans Are Dead version) would be all I ever wanted.

[@jerrytucker857]

I need to live to this music...

[@jeffreysaxon]

My death song by Swans would be The Golden Boy That Was Swallowed By The Sea

[@gabeuop79]

I like his attitude toward the music industry. "It's best to just do your work. Care about your work. If you find an audience, good." Reminds me of Jandek, although Jandek takes it to another level for sure . . .

[@swans1997]

You can find the live version of Helpless Child that sounds like the one here, on the Swans Are Dead 2 CD set. Awesome! Vital to your Swans collection.

[@slayerfreak121]

I think Gira has a very strong point in that the alternative culture is just another means of group think and conformity, I find Swans later work far more satisfying and beautiful. Also more interesting to listen to.

[@wanneske1969]

Michael rules ...

[@XOYify]

best Swans video ever thanks Petr!!

[@PetrMatas]

thank you, it is probably most important video i have ever made. i was huge fan of swans in 90’s

[@DecimusKrieg]

I love the way Gira produces intelligent music yet remains completely without pretention. As others have stated- Completely underated but also very modest.

[@kaydgaming]

This is so pretentious 😂

[@DecimusKrieg]

@@kaydgaming how is it?

[@MarsCoban]

It's strange that two days after your posting this that I view this video after so long. Thurston Moore is a talented individual, however, I do not believe that he is a genius. I do believe that Gira is. I think future generations will agree with me. It's hard to tell now, because the music is still relatively new, but I think time will elevate Gira and the Swans to the position they deserve.

[@chinchirap2]

With their latest records they instantly became a legendary band.

[@effievla]

i saw Swans a few months ago and the experience was so painful both physicallty and mentally. I mean my ears were ringing and buzzing, I was practically deaf for hours. On the other hand, Gira is so talented that my heart bled......

[@ryannMW7]

Yt is such a time machine.

[@industrialworld1]

1995-7 swans were the best band in the world.

[@endorphinsmusic]

thanks so much for posting this!

[@rgrant]

we miss you, please come back.

[@nathanmontgomery1516]

What do you think of their new stuff?

[@rgrant]

@@nathanmontgomery1516 I forgot I had written that! interestingly they ended up coming back and sounding a lot like the live footage here. I found the new lengthy songs a bit hard to get into and self indulgent but admired that he put out what he wanted to and was very happy that Swans got the recognition and audience attention that they deserve. There are some diamonds among the new stuff but for me I am yet to hear a new album that I find as strong as anthing from the first incarnation....

[@averagebusinessmen2]

is that version of Helpless Child at the beginning the one that was used on Soundtracks? or are Swans just fucking amazing live?

[@iandawunamugerwabyenkya7526]

they're just amazing live.

[@afterceasetoexist]

Both

[@laserdave82]

SWANS - the words make a cold shiver run down my spine. that's the most sinister and dark sound I've ever heard. Dark, but not superficial or fake as most gothic stuff. they are really devoted to what they do!

[@mp3chudaci]

Je to celý dokument - 8 minut. Dělal jsem ho v době kdy jsem pracoval v České Televizi v pořadu "Šedesátka". V roce 1997, dva roky po té co jsem natočil čtyři koncerty Swans v Německu a v Praze při jejich Evropském turn'é (1995). Záběry z Extáze jsem použil neboť charisma Hedy Lamarrove mi připadalo k písni Killing For Company velmi patřičné. Je to asi můj neoblíbenější český film.

[@hox9941]

Výborná práce pane

[@grizzwaldo]

Swans are fucking superb and ah cannae believe am going to see them again after nearly 20 years. Thanks for comin' back to us,,,,,,,,

[@liedowninthelight]

thank you for this!

[@eyesawelation]

I'm sorry that I missed out on seeing them the few times when they came around. Damn!

[@slayerfreak121]

Michael Gira is as close to Godlike as any human could get.

[@BurningSpear213]

Michael Gira is my personal hero.

[@mattboerio]

Thank you.

[@temporaryguy]

best band ever

[@ollieroks]

they insired thousands of metal bands. they were the first of there kind.

[@earinsound]

The greatest incarnation of SWANS! Epic, epic music... PS. That's Vudi (w/ hat) from American Music Club on guitar!!

[@philip2112]

this is just excellent.

[@Drukqs22]

5:15 - 6:15 best song ever. thank you mgira.

[@Taleggio]

What an amazing man!

[@rgrant]

thanks. nice to see this era swans live. aol is good but i miss the ecstacy of swans,

[@MetalGearSEAL4]

Don't thank me. Thank yourself. You did the work

[@bertisevil333]

Really loving Helpless Child, great track, do you have the full version to post ?

[@WATCHSONICS]

Awesome vid. thanks

[@AmazingPurpleCat]

Was anyone else surprised to hear what he sounded like?

[@ElliotCole333]

What songs were featured in this, All of them? Great stuff! For years I've only listened to "angel's of light, new mother" (my fave) and the "great annihilatior" they never get boring.

[@mehrlicht1]

@Nargaaz when I first saw Mullholland Drive at the cinema I thought the cowboy was in fact Gira...

[@warlockboyburns]

he is a very giving artist

[@melvinbrains]

Brilliant musician. And from the small excerpt of "The Consumer", I can say he's a pretty damn good writer too!

[@Wantthosedaysback]

Long Live Swans

[@tamihana78]

looking forward to playing with you guy in new zealand next year, cheers jason

[@Cigarettosan]

@PetrMatas I think all the music Gira's ever made is totally amazing.

[@gofuserect]

good stuff just a peak into the mind!

[@econnofoot]

I was fully impressed with the SWANS lineup I saw other week...aside from no Jarboe....

[@MrCharbs]

Hey SpeshelEd, I believe you can find that within the 15 minutes of Helpless Child -It's on the first CD of Soundtracks for the Blind. Welcome to the Swans - a lifetime of ...

[@JaneHeffernan]

I love Swans!

[@Demention94]

What do you think of their new song 13 years later?

[@mantra3000]

What an articulate clear-minded guy.

[@ilya.kudesnik]

where can i find live footage of the sound and i crawled?

[@OrangeKlawHammer]

my interpretation of their name is progression and change... like, yehknow "becoming a swan"... (I assume others think this too) So when I first started listening to them, I assumed right away that they would constantly shift and change their music. This isn't a bad thing at all, in fact it is the main reason that I listen to Michael Gira's music. I like to be surprised and astounded every time...and I am.

[@gooeyllewy3729]

OrangeKlawHammer interesting interpretation on it! I've always seen it more on how actual swans are. beautiful, but also vicious

[@Sighbot]

I see the bands name very reminiscent of the “Ugly Duckling” story. Disheveled and ugly in its infancy but morphs into a beautiful and graceful adult, a Swan.

[@purplekittybun]

yeah, for some reason I didnt recognize the the first part that was playing that was off of soundtracks for the blind, because that is my least favorite album by the swans but I lovvvvvve the swans...I heart them ridiculiously. I noticed that some of there songs that I hear live are even way more amazing, like see no more.... wow

[@aquistou19]

Could someone tell me the name of the songs that play after "Helpless Child"?

[@kennysanchez4216]

It's called Killing for Company, it's from The Great Annihilator

[@TheMadalucard]

After Killing for Company the songs are I Crawled and The Sound.

[@rrippp]

Yeah, good point. My use of 'children' there was more derogatory - a kind of immaturity, not innocence... Good distinction, and I think the 'lost child' is a huge piece. The root of so much I won't even go into it.

[@rrippp]

That's kind of what I was saying, in my own angry way. Also this was a year ago, the aneurysm has healed nicely, thanks.

[@A_person22222]

Dose anyone know where I could find the footage that they showed at the beginning of them playing helpless child

[@stiggyh]

"use power for power ! " :)

[@mikebott6940]

good observation. how sad that more people can't describe the music they like, or how it varies from other musics, with reference to basic theory rather than to 'scenes' and who its fans are...

[@mothbits]

Gira is a genius!!

[@seewhatyoudidthere]

The first few minutes they're playing 'helpless child'

[@MarsCoban]

Agreed.

[@industrymonkey]

@TheGreaterGood80 That how I started :) I'm sort of branching out of metal and extreme metal/grindcore into other genres of rock. Mostly into getting into punk, post-punk, early grunge. i'm also into industrial. Swans now is one of my favorite bands.

[@rrippp]

@ModifiedEvelyn Agreed. I rarely watch or read reviews any more. My own nervous system/soul knows what it likes.

[@purplekittybun]

Can someone help me with this? What song is the first one that is playing during this documentary? I want to know because I dont recognize it and need it with my collection!

[@SIRIYSACMA]

OH FUCKING EPIC!

[@greymalkin100]

Swans are a rare thing for various reasons but most of all for their constant refusal to adhere to the 'industry line'. As a result we nearly lost them, & that would have been a tragedy. So give up with all this bickering & support them whichever 'era' or album you prefer. Surely the common ground is enough & Michael et al need us to keep the faith. Looking forward to The Seer.

[@Manzur89]

Great .. but where i can find this documentary?

[@industrymonkey]

@xBillyTheKidx Mother/Father off The Great Annihilator album.

[@gregadkins2749]

JARBOE - I crawled....

[@ВероникаВоронова-г1ц]

Джира - гений!

[@fatmanosman]

@PetrMatas Best get to it and go see them live now they are back together and going on tour this year! oh yeah!

[@sdmcnca]

Care about your work....do your work....If you find an audience....then that's great!!!! Oh holy shit.....I can so relate to the Swans.....! Blank Label/

[@CinemaZebra]

Just because it's unique doesn't make it better than their later stuff. I like both periods of the band but I prefer their later years.

[@ericmsandoval]

What are the other songs after Helpless Child? Also I'm guessing Norman wasn't with them during this time?

[@melvinmelvins5202]

The first track after Helpless Child is called Killing For Company, it's off The Great Annihilator. The track with Jarboe screaming is the live version of I Crawled, which is off Swans Are Dead. The final song is The Sound, which you can find on Soundtracks For The Blind. Norman performed on The Great Annihilator, but did not perform live with Swans until they reformed.

[@pet_swan]

What Melvin said. Also Westberg had left by this time so on guitar was similarly-hairless Vudi of American Music Club.

[@melvinmelvins5202]

Ah yes, Vudi. Great guitarist.

[@digitalsustain]

'killing for company', from 'the great annihilator'

[@aquistou19]

Can someone tell me what Swans' songs are playing throughout?

[@stickydisgust]

@aquistou19 up until 3:00 is "Helpless Child".

[@Spartancjl]

And for that matter what is the song after that ?

[@Dysanfel]

@nondor13 It is so cliche' and common to only like "the early stuff".

[@israeldlr4365]

Whats the track being played at 5.00

[@PetrMatas]

song name is “I Crawled”, the part in the video starts at 8:00 of the album Soundtracks For The Blind version

[@AlleyCatChum]

@PigLover69 Are you referring to Banhart?