SWANS on Records In My Life (interview)

RIML met with Michael Gira, a founding member of the band Swans when they performed in Vancouver last month. He discussed with us some of his earliest and most influential records, including a rare album by Charlemagne Palestine!
Swans on RIML references the following albums:
1. Songs of the South
2. South Pacific
3. Chubby Checker - The Twist
4. The Doors - The Doors
5. The Doors - Strange Days
6. The Mothers of Invention - Freak Out
7. .The Mothers of Invention - Absolutely Free
8. The Mothers of Invention - We're Only In It For the Money
9. Charlemagne Palestine - Strumming Music
Records In My Life is hosted and produced by Charles Brownstein
Videography by Benn McGuire, Mark Henning
Director, editor: Mark Henning
Animations and logo: Susana Ramirez
Music Credits:
Swans on RIML features the song "People Like Us" by Swans
RIML theme music is "Best Tonight" by Combine the Victorious
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Website: www.northerntransmissions.com
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Swan on RIML ©2016 northerntransmissions.com

[@benanderson5906]

It's cool because you can hear the Disney influence in his own albums.

[@Northerntransmissions]

haha, yeah it's right there isn't it?

[@iamdamosuzuki_]

Definitely the cinematic influence. “Soundtracks for the Blind” really is about as much of an aural feature length film as it is an album.

[@donlebo6824]

Yeah, now I know why I always picture Mickey Mouse or Donald Duck, whenever I chill out to Swans.

[@NikoHL]

Really? 😂😂

[@misterpopeofficial.]

Just Fantasia

[@markdavidofficial4274]

I know he probably didn't intend for it, but it makes sense that the first record he would mention was the only movie Disney has banned.

[@juancitolimon8743]

tremendo

[@saturatedneowax]

@@juancitolimon8743 tremolo

[@RatSitnov]

When you see Gira talk, and you're well acquaintaned with Swans' discography, it's hard to shake off the feeling that beneath that calm exterior lurks an American Gothic occult mystic with a cult to his name that routinely sacrifices virgins in a field somewhere

[@andrewbrooks2129]

I was thinking underneath it all lurks a real dick

[@slidnut4525]

It’s funny cause I feel the exact opposite when I hear MC Ride from Death Grips talk or rap.

[@charmicarmicat2981]

Are you talking about All Lined Up?

[@criticalthinker72]

For real?

[@criss8572]

@Pason Jayne WHAT

[@daniellecowan-banker9795]

I could listen to him talk about music for an eternity.

[@philipgior3312]

yup, very cool dude, well-spoken and has good taste in music.

[@user-ch4et9gw4k]

as well as listen to his records: 17 minutes average

[@jwardbass4452]

He's just like the cowboy from Mulholland Drive

[@IIImobiusIII]

Wow, I had the same idea. Such a surreal scene.

[@juancitolimon8743]

YES

[@isaiahromero9861]

Bro I've been saying this for years, when I first watched the cowboy scene in Mulholland Drive I thought "this gives me Swans vibes"

[@robertfrippgaming6924]

A man's attitude goes some ways.

[@JonathanNelsonOfficial]

That’s a smart aleck thing to say.

[@thebetbetunderground9548]

I've always heard "The End" by The Doors lurking within "Bring the Sun/ Toussaint L'Overture"

[@TheFabioOrchedella]

Oh yeah, definitely! Both are in my top 5 songs of all time list

[@lachlanwelsh5880]

Btw - best Bad Seeds album there ever was!

[@truantakuma6234]

The End by the Doors is one of the first Post-Rock songs ever really

[@jimmybrunson2553]

a lot of recent swans stuff sounds like the doors, stuff on leaving meaning especially

[@3AA2]

Absolutely. Same here

[@yurupivo3507]

My heart melted a little bit when he said he was touched by something as innocent as a Disney record. Michael Gira is one of the few artists that really GETS IT, I think.

[@criticalthinker72]

If you think that Disney is innocent you need to do a little bit more research.

[@thatsalotoffish4424]

@@criticalthinker72 the music, not the company

[@evanwright9016]

@@thatsalotoffish4424 'Song of the South'???

[@thatsalotoffish4424]

@@evanwright9016 *some of the music

[@fenixman2]

@@evanwright9016 It's innocent, you're just too modern

[@pandarosamusic5751]

1:03 Did I just see Michael Gira SMILE??

[@nremac]

I guess you never saw him at the merch booth after a show!

[@robindreier9796]

I'd say Michael Gira ain't as gloomy as he likes you to believe ... also @@nremac YEAH UNTILTED

[@Ilovefent]

@@nremac chiastic slide > untilted

[@mazasis_princas456]

OH GOD IT IS CURSED

[@paulspanbauer4125]

If Swans don’t make you smile you must be dead inside.

[@dontdothngs]

he pronounced his last name wrong. you cant convince me otherwise.

[@Northerntransmissions]

haha

[@saturatedneowax]

yeah fr

[@cordan305]

Yeah I always thought you pronounced it like “Gee-ra”

[@cowboydan8021]

Every time I've ever heard him pronounce his last name, he says it like Ja - Raw. So that's what I say.

[@memondayz]

I say it like Jeer ah instead of jee-rah

[@scherryvalentine9673]

I met him in Austin with Jarboe at a tiny dark club by the railroad tracks. I think they were touring her record Sacrificial Cake. Only a handful of people showed up which is probably why me and my friends hung out with them afterwards. I remember that there was a girl touring with them who didn’t play in the band. She was dressed exactly like Jarboe, even her hair was braided the same. Almost like twins. She and I played hide and seek in the club while the band played. So weird. I think I told Michael something dumb about their sound. I won’t repeat it here.

[@outis439-A]

Could you give us a hint?

[@sweetsoul3145]

yeah, give us a hint!

[@scherryvalentine9673]

@@outis439-A He asked if I liked her show. I’m pretty sure I ate mushrooms that night. I really don’t remember much about the show, but I liked the vibe. What I said to him was so stupid. I don’t even know why I said it. It wasn’t what I really thought. He was really chill about it as I recall. That Jarboe record defined that summer for me. It ended up being my personal soundtrack. Looking back on it, it’s hard to believe how much I loved it, because it’s really twisted and creepy, wicked, maybe even evil. Very hard to listen to. (Except for Lavender, that track is beautiful.) Shoot. Me and my best friend Tammy listened to it constantly, that and Current 93, and Helios Creed. Once we even used her record as a weapon against a perverted peeping Tom who kept creeping around my bedroom window. One night we waited on him to come, and with all the lights out in the house and my bedroom window open; we put speakers facing the window....as soon as we heard him walking up we blasted the scariest song ever as loud as it would go. It sounded like a demonic exorcism. We never saw him again.

[@scherryvalentine9673]

@@sweetsoul3145 👆🏻

[@expanderrra]

@@scherryvalentine9673 you are the coolest person ever

[@xgum]

this guy has a great vocabulary

[@Lucols4]

girg guy yeah his writer and all

[@govegan6682]

Yeah, considering he is of poor education also as far as I know

[@BlemishesNow]

He read a shit ton on his way across Europe during his youth

[@SmoshTheMovieHDRipmkvsYouTubeC]

Orgasmic

[@brennenspice6098]

He's a pretty good writer imo. His writings even on his instagram posts are intriguing

[@georgesimpson7789]

The Crystal Ship is one of the finest and most meaningful songs for me. I would not have expected Gira to have such a deep abiding respect for those first two The Doors records. Such a pleasant surprise.

[@Northerntransmissions]

This one was a great interview to film. Michael was a little hesitant at first but once we got the cameras rolling he really enjoyed himself.

[@tatoarg9508]

One should never underestimate the artists that amount to something for real.

[@SatieSatie]

I feel the same way about The Doors as MG. And you can definitely hear their influence on Swans. Both are fantastic bands.

[@karinannamaria2514]

I love The chrystal ship. Such a beauty

[@HoodeloodumGAME]

Oh of course it's Michael GIIIRAAAW!

[@Northerntransmissions]

truly an artist's artist

[@Onemanjim]

I think your title music should be a little louder.

[@joelrobertson6520]

Onemanjim It makes me feel like i'm at a Swans show

[@theskoolmustard00]

Damn, even I got a The Doors vibe from Swans when I first got into them

[@liquidpebbles7475]

The Skoolmustard like a darker fuckedup the doors right?

[@djnevling8253]

liquidpebbles for me it’s the deep baritone too and the spoken parts as well.

[@SatieSatie]

Yes, you can definitely hear The Doors in Swans/AoL.

[@themagicminstrels476]

The singing definitely has it. I haven't heard much Swans, I literally discovered them like 3 days ago, but even I thought he had a slight Jim Morrison timbre and lyrical structure. Very interesting sound. @@djnevling8253

[@JackFromBeatStrings]

Huh. I thought it was pronounced GEAR-uh.

[@kaminskasmitchell]

It's actually gear-AH

[@melvinmelvins5202]

Like giraffe, but without the "ffe".

[@cruddnow]

I always thought it was pronounced like jy-rah

[@boyo7918]

Even though I know the right pronunciation, I still call him JEER-ah

[@CannibalWHORE22]

Boyo Same Boyo

[@robjones2408]

Saw Swans live in London in 1992. They were utterly fantastic. Michael Gira remains a class act. A great, great band who been consistently brilliant for the last three decades.

[@UntitledKirk]

I wish Gira was my grandpa

Jesus fuck, this made me feel old. You know the kids have control of the internet when somebody says this about a dude who's a decade older than your old man.

[@Kwak888]

But beware when you take a picture of him.

[@paulspanbauer4125]

Palestine’s records are extraordinary - I second Mr Gira’s recommendation.

[@Northerntransmissions]

You are part of an exclusive and informed audience. We applaud your musical knowledge!

[@bronghusphidalski522]

gira has aged incredibly well

[@JonathanNelsonOfficial]

He stays interested in his work.

[@bearsetsfire1361]

Excellent; loved it.

[@reneerolandgraceinyourface]

My son 16 today on new year's eve. on nye just got your autographed double vinyl I found for him. You have helped him find his voice. He was considered gifted in iq but possible as Eggers regarding his social abilities but he is brilliantly unique and you guys Embracing your identities , being outside the mainstream, gives him connection and I'm forever grateful for thst. We survived the loss of his dad and thr loss of our home and pets to fire in 2021 and he remains strong and brilliantly introspective bc of the strength he finds in your expression. We r coming to see you in DC or Ruchmond ba in April 24. Can't wait. Gid bless you ❤

[@Tordah90]

This is incredible, thank you for sharing!

[@fightington]

That piano music recommendation was epic, the way he described it! I gotta find

[@Northerntransmissions]

We often talk about that one, the name is so particular. Thanks for watching!

[@mcbillygoat2413]

If you haven’t heard the band suicide on their 1977 self titled album, you need to take the time. Perhaps the best album of the 70’s.

[@CannibalWHORE22]

Yeah I agree. I used to listen to that album on repeat in high school and never grew tired of it!

[@CipherSerpico]

mcbillygoat ! “Frankie Teardrop” gets to me every time. That song is just so insanely intense. It’s like the electronica version of The Doors’ song “The End’.

[@marioi.carrillo6264]

It's really fucking dense haha. But if you like Swans you would probably like that album!.

[@asmunddahlin1603]

Thanks for suggesting

[@saturatedneowax]

I would refute that with Marvin Gaye what’s going on, but yeah suicide is a great band I found them thru spacemen 3

[@TangledUpInPurple]

I was at that show!!! Love you Gira!!!

[@fightington]

Just the addition of sound clips from the albums makes your vids the shit!! Love it bro

[@frankheffleyofficial8806]

i have always thought differently about music than everyone else around me, and i’ve always been infuriated by the lack of passion people have for the things they claim to love. gira talks so purely and passionately about the music he loves and he really represents everything that a musician should be

[@Northerntransmissions]

Gira is definitely a true artist

[@t.n.3819]

Are you really gatekeeping the concept "loving things"? If you were really so much more passionate than everyone around you, you would have done something noteworthy by now instead of being a snob and worrying about what the people around you are doing.

[@grosezero8834]

thank you michael swans

[@rayrous8229]

Thank you! I was thinking back to my first Doors album right before he mentioned his. I enjoyed the scope of what he shared. I wish he talked more about the transition from soft to hard. I went to a show, hoping to hear God Dam the Sun and Mona Lisa Mother Earth. All I heard was a pounding.

[@philipgior3312]

Gira's cool and he has pretty damned good taste as well.

[@vinyldiary6664]

Suicide, Stooges, Bowie, krautrock! the man knows, there is no doubt

[@RayAdithyaisepic]

1:03 THAT SMILE

[@robertlustmord1636]

Holy shit, I never knew that Gira listens to Charlemagne Palestine. He's got great taste.

[@liquidpebbles7475]

Robert Lustmord no shit

[@cortazarx]

There is a record of Gira,Palestine, and a few other collaborators. Also, Gira released a recording that features Charlemagne, david Coulter , etc. on his own Young God Records.

[@cesarmadaflower]

he's so chill

[@jcw91371]

This guy wrote the only completely original sounding music I had ever heard at the time. Yes there's a big cinematic element to the songs, but no one in movie soundtrack or scoring was doing what he was doing. I'd love to hear Gira and Copeland do something together.

[@richardroberson2564]

He has a great style.

[@sassulusmagnus]

I had not recognized that there was a cinematic influence in his music until he said so, but it makes so much sense.

[@angelurbina8158]

Michael Gira looks like a villain written by Stephen King. I love him.

[@keith-leecastle6700]

Love this man and SWANS

[@indiesindies8788]

Cool!

[@Teabonesteak]

Who doesn't love Michael Gira's Art.

[@kennypyne7821]

My sister hates it lol

[@xylin3683]

2:14 Michael looks at the interviewer like "How the fuck do you not know that?"

[@Onche518]

lmao

[@Twinthumps]

Genius

[@chris66908]

Strange Days was my first serious album , a great counterpoint to The Beach Boys growing up in So,Cal ,Dark really works best for this world.

[@iamdamosuzuki_]

It was pretty much the first proper gothic rock album.

[@JonathanNelsonOfficial]

Beach boys are darker than The Doors to me. Beach Boys are closer to an escapist type of delusion that is also a deeper truth at the same time. The Doors are transparent.

[@juda4568]

The Music Goat

[@criticalhippo4294]

The way Gira speaks is so different than what you'd expect. I don't know why.

[@xgum]

ah yep you can hear influence from Chubby Checker's 'The Twist' in Oxygen

[@criticalthinker72]

I always wanted them to take their music and make a musical out of it. That would have been so cool.

[@bipolar-polar-bear-east9717]

Life!

[@fernandokosovel600]

what beautiful words for the poet Jim Morrison,in the empty and vulgar world of today "pop" for the masses ,.M.G.is one of the few that can took that heritage

[@TipsterStu]

Geek question... Is the audio just off the XY mic from your zoom recorder? The acoustics in that room must've have been amazing

[@minhaz252]

♥

[@bangoreagles904]

Strumming Music is a sensational record.

[@kazimierzgarshin3924]

Look at the interviewer when Gira introduces himself. "My name is Michael Girah!" No!! Fuck me dead!

[@saturatedneowax]

the doors fuck yeah

[@Northerntransmissions]

thanks for watching XC

[@Alemme01]

I find it incredible that he doesn’t really listen to any new music, considering how fresh and new sounding his music is.

[@tassiegamer4516]

he looks like merle dixon and sounds like a cool soft spoken uni lecturer

[@auralepiphanies4055]

Wow the Doors tell REALLY shows me how he found his baritone voice. dang I should have connected the dots but alas, back in the 80's he might not even admit that

[@SupaSOuRDUDE]

How tf does he look so good

[@pierinmess5415]

So, basically he does not listen to anything that came after he started making music.

[@yespls4184]

I could never get into Swans. There's something very truthful in their music but so much that it disturbs me a little too much. The only Swans songs I could listen to on a regular basis are the lighter sounding ones like Blind.

[@vinyldiary6664]

It's not easy, I understand ... but so, as you enter the journey, wow! You'll never be the same again! the last 4 albums, are probably one of the best moments of modern music! You should try to listen, it's really worth it!

[@sex6cult9revolution]

I always thought that if the lyrics were sunnier, Blind could be played on an AM station. Just so you know, if you aren't enjoying Swans, you're not turning it up LOUD ENOUGH. It needs to be loud enough to frighten animals and small children or you won't get the intended effect.

[@MalMotorDedo]

You need to listen to Oxygen at maximum volume till you get asthma....

[@jimmybrunson2553]

idk later swans is a lot more esoteric and subtle - even by the time of white light its dark but its not difficult the way the stark truth of filth, cop, a screw, greed are those arent songs that could possibly have been done by someone who wasnt personally well acquainted with the subject matter and in giras case likely as both perpetrator and victim - and his observation of cruelty and dehumanization in his own family and life settings , living on the streets, working tough shit jobs, being in jail, being a drug dealer, etc. I appreciate his fearlessness in this aspect, its probably most profound on You See Through Me Clay Man, Big Strong Boss, Why Hide, and Blackout hit too close for me and I can’t deal with those ones but thats it I think.

[@skirtboi]

@Pason Jayne he did during his youth, survival of the fittest.

[@merzberd]

Who would’ve thought that the guy who made a song called Raping A Slave was influenced by Disney music

[@Violetcas97]

Until now I had never heard his surname pronounced, but I’d always pronounced it “Jee-rah”. Well, I’ve heard it from the horse’s mouth so clearly I was wrong but still.

[@memorythree]

I Am The Sun

[@bearsetsfire1361]

Who picks the opening bands for Swans? Michael must be involved; no? Jenny Hval for instance. Contemporary not?

[@pentastarr666]

If you close your eyes, Michael’s and Anton Newcombe’s(BJM) speaking voices sound very similar

[@tlysergicaciddiethylamide5792]

It’S the proDuct that mixeD with their bLooD that createD that SounD… SeemS Strange but true TAM

[@dukeon]

I want power Because it feels good

[@user-gl1eq2vy6q]

Please come to Maine　　To....Thee Balsam Amphitheater on thee Canadian Border Downeat（ｓ）、 Maine....Could "Bee" Berry, Berry Strange and Blessed。白鳥かっこいないい音すごいな歌詞も力優しい歩道のキリンですよ。

[@eldenringisbad8580]

Influenced by Disney music: "Aw, that's so sweet and touching and-" More specifically Song of the South: "Oh Christ!"

[@Northerntransmissions]

very shocking pick. not sure what to think. Thank you very much for watching

[@cowboydan8021]

Michael "Ja - Raw".. up until like a year ago I had always assumed it was pronounced "Gear - uh". Boy, do I feel sheepish.

[@renesrelics]

He's definitely outliving everyone in the room.

[@jmd76family]

Do Al Jourgenson!

[@m1ghtysauc397]

I’ve been pronouncing his last name “gear-uh.”

[@caydenhenderson4664]

The interviewer looks so pissed.

[@skiddzie9291]

Look, I'll say jira, but I'm not doing the emphasis like that.

[@user-rh2csk]

Both John Cale and Michael Gira naturally emit the menacing aura. Their demeanor get soften and they sound more accessible as they age though.

[@arlodante1163]

He reminds me of Maynard James Keenan

[@1324hh]

what's the song playing at 4:17?

[@Joey29455]

Swans - People Like Us

[@je4754]

Joey hey...thanks!

[@irish66]

Oh that''s how you say his name.

[@je4754]

What's the name of the song at around 4:27? Is that his solo or Swans or Angels..?

[@Northerntransmissions]

It's part of the same song used through out the episode. Swans - People Like Us.

[@je4754]

northerntrans thanks!

[@catHORSE]

It’s jerah?

[@humaninterface7153]

1:04

[@EvilLadderGaming]

yo what happened at the very end of the video there??? It looks like Gira says "fuck" to the cameraman and has a super pissed off face all of a sudden.

[@Northerntransmissions]

haha, interesting you saw it that way. No, he was only saying the name of the show to confirm it before filming the intro.

[@EvilLadderGaming]

RIML_TV hahaha damn my mind is tainted

[@sanuzmultfilm8847]

7:12

[@griffinmoore6819]

The first song by Swans that made me compare Gira's voice to anyone else was 'Failure' and I immediately thought Johnny Cash. Then Andrew Eldritch of Sisters of Mercy slowed down and aged. I admit though, Michael has the best vocal. Still love Cash tho!

[@griffinmoore6819]

Reading my comment back I wish I hadn't said anything. I try not to compare real artists of any field, I meant it all complimentary.

[@chrisknight3734]

You will see me one more time, if you do good. You will see me two more times, if you do bad. Good night.

[@user-bf6gz8ej4o]

0:18, 4:20 songs?

[@youtubeuserdan4017]

It's two parts of one song (People Like Us).

[@user-bf6gz8ej4o]

@@youtubeuserdan4017 Thanks!

[@alwaysnegative211]

Whats the song at 4:14?

[@justken1337]

Swans - People Like Us

[@alwaysnegative211]

Gee thanks always thought doomers were self centered. Did not know this was on Glowing man, guess I'm still being a pussy about listening to SWANS massive discography.

[@constipatednugget5890]

Michael jurah

[@tomt5745]

Exile is just impossible to surpass

[@phewiss3066]

Wait, Gira is pronounced "Jer-ah"? This whole time I thought it was "Gear-uh"

[@greggriffin3114]

Dressed liked a cowboy, but don't expect C&W.....

[@magpie325]

it's "jih-rah"? wow.

[@jimmytgoose476]

I thought he was Max Hardcore at first...😃

[@sneakaholic011]

“CONTEMPORARY MUSIC?” lol

[@TheClever69]

What's the song that plays at 04:15, I can't remember the name

[@Northerntransmissions]

"People Like Us"

[@TheClever69]

Ahh thanks, I don't know why but I never revisited that one as much as the other tracks from The Glowing Man, gonna listen to it now though

[@Northerntransmissions]

I found it captivating, and after editing the video I can imagine a Doors influence on its sound.

[@BonoLightier]

It's so weird to see him smile; I mean, it's awesome, but still weird.

[@JonathanNelsonOfficial]

He smiles a lot actually.

[@pillettadoinswartsh4974]

Jim - Crystal Ships - voice isolated - kzbin.info/www/bejne/jaCUn2qMgNyinrc