Swans - "The Seer"

On stage, backstage, and at home with Michael Gira and Swans.
Directed by Jim Larson: bit.ly/Qt4Kgb
Executive Producer RJ Bentler
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[@jamzedodger]

Funny how this documentary is shorter than the title track

[@Neel-ff4mn]

jamzedodger This is irrelevant, but I think the woman next to the chimes looks cute.

[@endriu55]

+Neel 2000 where, at what minute?

[@jdixon390]

Yeah I was just thinking that

[@mot00rzysta]

nothing funny about that

[@kimwhitehurst1817]

Swans does everything hard slow fast soft....way f'n loud. Have yet to hear anything funny.....

[@ddavis_drums]

Much louder, much louder, much louder..... Yeah that's Swans

[@vazzeg]

I'm seeing them this Friday. Can't wait...

[@MortonGoldthwait]

Ive seen em twice. How was?

[@vazzeg]

MortonGoldthwait it was off the wall perfect. loud visceral and almost 4 hours long. longest live show I've ever been to.

[@champamoore]

WHAT?

[@vinyldiary6664]

4 hours? Fuck! the concert I saw, it may have taken maybe two and a half hours.

[@mybloodyboognish]

Only a band as epic as swans could have a percussionist named Thor.

[@thestonrad]

Thor is the man

[@gstrfst]

Shouted him "Thor, I love you" on a gig and he blew me an air kiss. Damn, he's great hahaha

[@MCPiggyGames]

When I saw Xiu Xiu, Thor was touring with them. We had a full on conversation after the show. He is an amazingly talented drummer and a really nice person.

[@YodaZemunski]

Thor is awesome.

[@carterholsten9471]

@@MCPiggyGames Same experience, great guy. Really warm and genuine

[@asgerskovvelling5664]

The last time I went to a swans concert, an amplifier fell onto my head and I had to go to the hospital. Luckily it was towards the end of the concert. The best concert I've been to.

[@mcnoisemaker2934]

a worthy price to pay, im jealous brother

[@Crapoop765]

I want to hug him. But when he's performing, I wanna hide in the corner.

[@davethehostage]

I'm always amazed at how age seems to have had little to no affect on this man's spirit. 61-years-old and just as inspired and ready to push his own boundaries as he was in his twenties. That's artistry.

[@Cyber_Noot]

davethehostage That and I like how he makes the songs their own thing by adding new parts or changing them up. A lot of experimentation happening, which is why I think they're still at the top of their game.

[@rudegardt5735]

+Natalie B. yeah its amazing this band is just getting better each release.. I mean fuck hes in his 60s.. and still improving and getting better.. I mean.. most artists peak in their 30s and then its just downhill from there..

[@lacavernadeargudin]

davethehostage y

[@charmicarmicat2981]

davethehostage not only that but literally everything Swans have done recently HE PERSONALLY SIGNS EVERY COPY. Like what the fuck what other artist do you know that does that?

[@dinospumoni663]

Yeah, Michael Gira is one of the (very, very) few artists who remained creative into his 30s and beyond. The vast majority of rock artists produce all their good stuff in their 20s and _maybe_ early 30s and then lose their authenticity and try to recreate what they innovated in their youth. Gira joins Frank Zappa as one of the only who remained brilliant throughout his life.

[@DrumBum561]

Nobody's pointed out that he signed copies of The Seer with black sharpie on a black background

[@maiconm.4331]

absolute MAD MAN

[@HiGlowie]

I was wondering about that.

[@steve03tube]

I'm happy to have one.

[@jimbodrum1795]

Yeah... he still does it to this day, I recently ordered one and it still came the same way with the heat next to his signature and everything. Really nice of him to keep doing that even with a record that’s not new anymore. People seem to think he’s grumpy, but I think it’s just a real true artistic intensity that he carries everywhere. Truly amazing

[@tomt5745]

@@jimbodrum1795 brilliant

[@danjohnson7742]

The hug between band members before the gig was very touching...cool stuff all around

[@paragraphs7235]

8:44 that is the most nervous looking sound guy i've ever seen, and rightfully so, michael gira is terrifying.

[@Seth-hc2bj]

As a sound guy, if I ever had the great Fortune to work with him, I would have no clue how to handle it. Terrifying indeed.

[@joeboonmusic4004]

@@Seth-hc2bj Is he known to be a terrifying person? Or just so musically involved with his project that he's borderline obsessive and scary?

[@Seth-hc2bj]

@@joeboonmusic4004 it just seems as if he would have very high expectations of whoever was running sound. He has a vision and he wants that vision to come through. That's all, nothing wrong with it. That's why I think it might be intense.

[@danielstoddart]

@@joeboonmusic4004 No, it's not that Michael Gira is a terrifying person, it's that working the soundboard at a Swans show (especially if you've never done that before) is a terrifying proposition because Swans are such a different and unique band and they are very specific about their sound. It's not like running sound for the typical two guitars, bass and drums type band. Every instrument is played in a non-standard way and this requires an unusual approach to running the board.

[@Tordah90]

Michael Gira is one of the few people who gets cooler the older he gets. How does he do it?

[@randomstandard]

Tordah90 I feel if you aren’t, you are not truly living.

[@buried4430]

Eating fetuses

[@isaiahromero9861]

True. He seemed like kind of a POS in Swans early days

[@gidzmalherbe2509]

Can we appreciate the fact that its so loud when theyre rehearsing that the documentary crew’s mics cant even pick it up...

[@bobsbigboy_]

Spiritualized 😍

[@MortonGoldthwait]

Thor's clarinet playing is trippy.

[@maiconm.4331]

10:44 SORRY SORRY *starts slapping himself in the face* lmao

[@robustelement]

63 yrs old and this is the most amazing thing to come out of the whole rock music genre in my time.

[@WilburBullara]

Michael Gira seems like such a genuinely nice guy behind his stage persona. The art he makes is absolutely incredible.

[@jdm0029]

One of the heaviest bands of all time, yet before they go on stage they give each other hugs and wish each other a good show while joking about 'finger-banging'. Makes me chuckle.

[@bune88]

"Nah, just put the volume at max and people will love it"

[@charmicarmicat2981]

The simplest incarnation Swans has ever had. and they've never sounded better.

[@heyvsoucejobahere6763]

Michael Gira is a master totally conscious of his greatness, the way he swings his hands in live performances, feeling the music in his veins like a maestro, The Seer and To Be Kind are a double kill for Swans, two masterpieces. I'm anscious to see a new album from them, expecting it to follow up this great consistency that they've achieved.

[@ECHtoplasm]

Well, did it live up to your expectations?

[@MrPedroFF]

Swans não é para todos....Bem diferente do que eu ouvia em 1985. P.S. É agradavél ver um Fan Português de Swans. abraço amigo

[@norlanderduwallis9074]

Anxious

[@vinyldiary6664]

I think this last incarnation of Swans is one of the most beautiful cycles in the history of music!

[@Chameleonardodavinci]

dude what did you think of glowing man

[@bladderheadrecords1849]

16:32 is exactly how I want to feel when I get to experience Swans live for the first time haha

[@SamShadow93]

I thought it was going to be a live performance lol.

[@macarron5729]

10:06 they were making oxygen in that exact moment

[@sv.bertulanakts9976]

The documentary is shorter than the song itself.

[@maxinator317]

True, just commented the same thing but then I saw your comment.

[@Helmcasuaris]

Saw them yesterday for the second time. My ears still ring... Michael Gira and his mercenaries were merciless again. Truly, Michael pours out his soul over the audience. And in return, he takes a small piece of yours. That's how the man continues to be so vital and energetic. A fair trade if you ask me.

[@greymalkin100]

Oddly enough, James I took a young lady to see SWANS at the Town & Country in Kilburn in 1987, Children of God Tour. She left after the first few chords & never spoke to me again. Her loss.

[@alphavolta5038]

You would have thought being a monarch she would have hung around

[@TheWhyer]

Three years ago, during their last tour, I drove 5 hours from my college in Wisconsin to Minneapolis to see Swans. Before the show, I met this incredibly cute blonde girl who loved all the same music I did. We talked about concerts we'd been to and how we both had wanted to see Swans for years. Once the music started, the friends we came with moved further back due to the loudness. It was just the two of us standing next to each other for the entire set - sometimes brushing arms or bumping shoulders - for two and a half hours. The last song they played was The Glowing Man. At the climax of the song, with Michael screaming, we grabbed each other's hands and squeezed tighter than I knew was possible. No words - just a shared moment of physical touch. When the music ended, she walked out of the venue and I never saw her again. If you ever read this, mystery girl, I just want you to know that you were cool as fuck.

[@simon22371]

It's amazing that this documentary is actually shorter than the song

[@wildsheepshooter]

I just discovered this band today. I have never heard or seen anything like them before. Suprisingly addicting.....

[@chinaser121]

I've hugged Gira and i find that odd

[@arnowillekes7979]

It's almost like Stanley Kubrick started a band, made some songs and then went on the road?

[@bearfingers1]

+Arno Willekes ayyy

[@danielstoddart]

Further proof that you can play any style of music on a Fender Telecaster.

[@Pleaseunderstand]

16:32 - Dudes really feeling it.

[@CoolPhase]

Please understand. For real though. If you're seeing Swans live, in front row and you're not looking like that, you don't really like Swans.

[@champamoore]

Please understand., et al: There is no not *feeling it* at a SWANS show, whether you *like* it, *love* it, or hate it. SWANS turn sound into super physical force (and grace) there. (Just don't forget to seat those earplugs fully if you don't feel like running the risk of your hearing sounding like the segment around 9:50 for a few days, or forever, when the show is done!)

[@Pleaseunderstand]

***** "What is happening right now" lol.

[@TheCSJones]

+CoolPhase I don't get it. Last time I went to a Swans show, I was that guy where 90% of the audience was just standing there like they were watching a PowerPoint. Fuckin' hipsters, man.

[@martydurlam]

This band scratches every itch for me.

[@owenmurphy1948]

16:43 the 3 types of people you'll see at gigs

[@tonystanley69]

I can be all three at the same time. Lol

[@YodaZemunski]

I fucking love this it's too perfect

[@tayzatun6351]

The dude at the front is in a constant state of climax

[@Mactatio]

Pitchfork doing something worth viewing? How nice. Best show of the year. Saw them a month ago and still under the effects of having my bowels churned.

[@generaldom]

God damn I like this video. The supplemental stuff is great.

[@adriansteele5679]

Dom's Sketch Cast I swear you comment on like every single /mu/core type video :P

[@crazyshawn5000]

You're on every video I watch dude!

[@generaldom]

crazyshawn5000 You gotta swing by the channel, man. Meet the guys!

[@Soffish583822]

+Dom's Sketch Cast Oh shit, Dom! I love your vids man!!!

[@generaldom]

Soffish583822 ayy

[@MVenk]

"100% louder than what it is" - MG in sound check

[@harrysmith5340]

i think this remains one of the best videos on KZbin

[@BungleGrindClown]

Commenting here after seeing Swans for the first time on Monday. No joke the loudest and one of the best shows I’ve been to. Gira is masterful at his craft.

[@humaninterface7153]

i saw them last week and a guy standing beside me fainted, he fking fainted !

[@germcampbell9469]

Epic

[@Abrahamhamham]

@Rejected Letters When i first saw them i thought i would hold the earplugs in my hand and put them in only when it starts to become unbearable, because i heard the stories. The show starts and the sound goes up and up and up and at one point i started to sweat heavily. I had to put them in. Couldn't take it. And from then on, the volume was so insane, i thought i was going to evaporate. It's fucking insane. Going to see them again this fall.

[@peazeralus]

I've seen over 500 shows in my life. When they played The Glowing Man on that tour, my wife's and my legs almost gave out during the Joseph/body fly section. I've never experienced that before and probably never will, again.

[@kobrakommandar8370]

They would intentionally turn off the AC in venues before they went on to make the experience more oppressive so not unusual at all. I've seen multiple people faint or need to be let out to get some air and I was close a couple times myself!

[@An007dy]

I didn't know that Gira uses BB Kings signature model guitar, Lucille... Pretty cool!

[@anickner1178]

One of the best musical documentary I’ve ever seen. Thanks you very much.

[@llamaclipz]

One of the best music docs I've ever seen

[@robertmclaren5711]

If Godspeed you! Black emperor and Swans shared a bill I think time it self might cease to exist and we might enter a new phase human consciousness.

[@7upandgo]

Was fortunate enough to catch both of them at the ATP I'll Be Your Mirror event in Melbourne back in 2013. It featured the likes of My Bloody Valentine, Swans, GY!BE, The Dead C, Ben Frost, Einstuerzende Neubauten, Pere Ubu and Thee Oh Sees.

[@danielstoddart]

Watching this video again after a long, long time. Probably 10 years since I first saw it. I remember how revealing this was to me as a long-time Swans fan. It never would have occurred to me, after many repeated listenings to the first five Swans albums and the Swans revival stuff that they are the kind of band that does the hug ritual before their shows. Pitchfork did a great job with this, showing a more introspective and empathetic side of the band. I also enjoyed the more recent instrumental elements, like the hammered dulcimers (I'm a big fan of that instrument) and the free jazz, Coltrane-like clarinet playing.

[@bono300vox]

they have a fucking werewolf as a drummer

[@dylanj.cenneno771]

CLASS IS OVER So damn cool.

[@user-cr6qc1mi2z]

no one will ever be as fucking cool as the swans.

[@joemanuse2499]

The hug. Excellent.

[@aye2you]

Legend

[@james_hadley_]

I'm not a huge fan of pitchforks reviews, but these videos make me love it so much.

[@schwarzblatt]

Michael Gira's hard work and perseverance is as respectable as the integrity of the musical output. And credit to the rest of SWANS for their dedication to the craft.

[@Skullkan6]

Dude with a Megadeth tshirt in the front row. At least he picked their best album.

[@tescomealdeals]

Seeing the length of the video I thought this was just gonna be the band performing the title track

[@oiiirich]

There's a reason you say that. They say as you get old it's harder for you to appreciate newer music. This is a new generation of music. If you go into it expecting it to be the same as an older one, you're going to be disappointed. It's its own, and it's beautiful

[@cristian-ilienagy5240]

velvet underground and the doors in our days

[@brandonrutherford7026]

I miss this era

[@demonssinglosongs]

its crazy to me that pitchfork made a half-hour long documentary about swans in 2012, and in 2023 they aren't covering their new album in the slightest. it's pretty sad

[@basedasuka]

shit, does he have to put the cap back on the sharpie every single time?

[@jackpaice]

they're so sweet to each other..!

[@drapeblind]

Really one of the best bands of the past 40 years. Not always the best material, but always innovating.

[@jaydeahoy]

Phenomenal. The Seer is like the score to Satan's exorcism, if there was such a thing

[@stratford1]

That clarinet is haunting wow

[@PeterSaudino]

For someone who beat the shit out of fans at his shows, and even had some shut down by cops, Michael Gira seems like a fairly normal dude.

[@melvinmelvins5202]

He never did anything like that. That's just typical scaremongering from the British music press - blowing things out of proportion.

[@PhatPoodles]

Peter Saudino I think the worst he actually did was tread on a few fingers from people grabbing onto the stage

[@TheCSJones]

Some of Swans early shows were shut down by cops for noise violations, but he said in an interview he only hit one guy that was acting a fool. Seems justifiable.

[@liamshope2838]

he isnt

[@CaptainGirlrod]

swans are heavier than any metal band.

[@TheApothecaryAus]

20:28 the chick who doesn't give a shit and has obviously been dragged along, hahaha.

[@Nogli]

+TheApothecaryAus Considering just how loud they are, I think her bored disinterest is pretty damn impressive. Swans are hard to ignore!

[@heybubbah]

Fantastic recap of a mindblowing tour. Eternally grateful I was able to catch them this time around.

[@OrangeKlawHammer]

How did the world birth someone like Gira? He's outrageous and not of this Earth in so many ways.

[@abstractwater]

"Turn that up 100% from you have now"

[@owenashley6998]

Do another one of these for the glowing man please!!!

[@jasonshort1437]

So glad I got to see these guys do this live

[@Philiqification]

Holy fuck, that hugging made it seem like they were going into war or something.

[@Jack78fr]

If you read the book about them entitled sacrifice and transcendence you’ll see that some of their gigs have actually been some kind of ordeals full of sweat, blood and exhaustion. These guys are not faking it they physically challenge themselves to get to another state, like a trance.

[@stormchelas]

Pure art.

since many seem to be asking about the soundtrack, this is the best i can come up with based on memory (Minneapolis, Atlanta, and Hamburg): 0:00 - 1:01 : soundcheck 1:01 - 2:01 : Coward 4:40 - 8:39 :The Seer 8:39 - 9:42 : soundcheck 12:53 - 14.15 : ???? 15:45 - 16:15 : To Be Kind 16:30-18:09 : ???? (maybe She Loves Us) 18:41 - 19:52 : The Seer 20:05 - 20:50 : ????? 22:05 - 26:20 : Apostate this footage does the best that i've seen at showing SWANS as SWANS.

[@rhubarbdude3347]

20:05 - 20:50 is Bring the sun/Toussaint l'ouverture I think

[@julianholland4009]

At the very very end, you can hear the beginning of “In the Light” by Led Zeppelin

[@purpl9231]

12:53 is nathalie neal 16:30 is also To be kind 18:41 - 20:50 is Avatar, with the Bring the Sun riff as outro

[@TheMaryXIncident]

S W A N S are such a powerful live act - seeing them live is a truly unique experience

[@mudguppy3823]

I have been truly blessed to have experienced their live shows after this reunion in 2012... One of my favorite group of artists to walk this earth.. living legends. There won't be more of their ilk for some time I fear

[@Life4Gamez]

It's cool to see how the material from To Be Kind appeared here, and obviously evolved leading up to the studio recording. Can't wait to see their new stuff next week!

[@mrcopenhagon]

I was fortunate enough to have gotten the opportunity to see them live on their last tour through the U.S. in Nashville, TN. Truly one of the most unique experiences anyone could ask for. Very loud, by far the loudest show I've been to, but so well worth it.

[@LuminescentMedia]

Beautifully directed film. Kudos to you.

[@exquisiteoath]

Thank goodness for that timing.

[@assinina]

i think this is my favourite video on youtube

[@jamezburgundy]

THANK YOU FOR MAKING THIS WOW

[@cskueny]

Incredible video. I saw them for the first time this year in San Francisco, and I pray there will be a second time. I loved watching this.

[@h.j.w2783]

20:25 hahahahaha those two girls...so unimpressed. gotta love it.

[@oscarh5439]

Basic bitches

[@KJ-tj3mz]

i just made the same comment mate haha.

[@abstractwater]

I believe they played that mid-way through their set when I saw them. It was unbelievable. I was feeling my clothing being moved by the beat of those drums. The most intense live band alive.

[@awesome279]

Amazing band. Amazing album. Quite surprised that Pitchfork didn't award it Album of the Year.

[@devourmevoid]

they way aaron chews his gum is exactly how my heart feels while listening to swans. oh how i love ...

[@evanisgay11]

this is definitely the best video on youtube.

[@clemkevin]

This video is an awesome piece. I really appreciate you making this pitchfork, thank you.

[@theobnoxiousweed]

I saw them live yesterday in Melbourne at All Tomorrow's Parties and they completely blew me away. 100% hypnotic and better than anything else I saw all day and as good as anything I have seen in my life. You should see them live ASAP! The song at the start is called Coward and is a glorious hammer of sound live. SWANS rule!

[@davidcoyne9448]

Fantastic. Thank you.

[@charmicarmicat2981]

Still my most favorite video on KZbin.

[@jdoylewallis2948]

Saw them on this recent tour and it was a great show. The Seer is a fine piece of work. The way I'd failingly describe it is that most music occupies an emotional space but The Seer is one of those pieces that has also has a musculature.

[@sonictrasher]

pure genius

[@thesecretfactory2883]

Great video, saw Swans live 2 weeks ago. Fantastic show

[@shakeerr]

Thank you Pitchfork TV

[@jessicaheitman8719]

Give anything to see them again!

[@ChristopherSleeps]

thank you for this

[@AppleMan531]

Yesterday, I had the pleasure of shopping at a Record store in NYC called Other Music. I was looking for something different to listen to. I come from the early Punk Generation and my favorite groups are The Ramones, Sex Pistols and Public Image Limited. I just saw PiL Live in Times Square, NYC a few weeks ago. At Other Music, I picked up the White Light from the mouth of Infinity/Love of Life 3 CD set. Ths was a perfect purchase because my favorite PiL albums are PiL First Issue, and PiL's Second Edition/Metal Box album. Went home to see what I can find on the Swan's on You Tube. I like what I'm seeing and hearing. I'm looking forward to future purchases of their music and hopefully the opportunity to see them .

[@barendbe]

nice advertorial there you wrote, friendo :^)

[@naturphilosophie1]

beautiful

[@jackspicerisland]

MORE THINGS LIKE THIS!!!